According to the Provisions of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguard Measures (hereinafter referred to as the “Safeguard Measures Regulations”),on December 27, 2024,the Ministry of Commerce (hereinafter referred to as the investigating authority) issued Announcement No. 60, deciding to initiate a safeguard investigation into imported beef (hereinafter referred to as the product under investigation).
The investigating authority conducted an investigation into whether the import volume of the investigated products has increased, whether such increase has caused damage to the domestic industry and to what extent, as well as the causal relationship between the increase in import volume and the damage.
The investigation into this case has now been concluded. In accordance with Article19 and Article20 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, the investigating authority has issued a ruling (seeAnnex1). The relevant details are hereby announced as follows:
I. Ruling
The investigating authority ruled that the increase in imports of beef has caused serious damage to China's domestic industry, and there is a causal link between the increase in import volumes and the serious damage.
II. Implementation Guarantee Measures
According to Article 19 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, safeguard measures may take the form of increased tariffs or quantitative restrictions. Based on the investigation results, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to impose safeguard measures on imported beef in the form of “country-specific quotas and additional tariffs beyond quota.”The duration of the safeguard measures is 3 years, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.The safeguard measuresGradually ease restrictions at fixed intervals during the implementation period.
According to Article 20 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, the Ministry of Commerce has submitted a proposal to the Tariff Commission of the State Councilto impose additional tariffs on imported beef exceeding the specified quantity (see Annex2).The Tariff Commission of the State Council has made a decision based on the Ministry of Commerce’s proposal,imposing additional tariffs on the portion of imports exceeding the specified quantity (see Annex), at an additional tariff rate of55%, on top of the currently applicable tariff rates.
The specific description of the product under investigation is as follows:
Name of the product under investigation: Beef.
English Name:Meat of bovine animals。
Product Description: The investigated product is beef derived from live cattle (genus Bos) after slaughter and processing, including whole and half carcasses of fresh, chilled, or frozen beef, bone-in beef, and boneless beef.
This product is classified under the Customs Tariff of the People's Republic of China:02011000、02012000、02013000、02021000、02022000、02023000。
III, Methods for Implementing the Guarantee Measures
Starting from January 1, 2026, for imported beef that does not exceed the prescribed quantity (see Annex 2), importers shall pay customs duties at the currently applicable tariff rates when importing beef. Quota quantities not fully utilized in the previous year will not be carried over to the following year.
Starting from the 3rd day (inclusive) after the imported beef reaches the specified quantity (see Appendix2),importers shall, when importing beef,impose an additional tariff of 55%on top of the currently applicable tariff rate.
During the period when safeguard measures are in effect, the special safeguard measures for beef stipulated in the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement shall be suspended.
IV, Exclusion for Developing Countries (Regions)
For products originating from developing countries (regions), if their import share does not exceed3%, and the combined import share of these countries (regions) does not exceed9%, safeguard measures shall not apply. The list of developing countries (regions) to which safeguard measures do not apply is provided in Annex3.
Within the 3-year period for implementing safeguard measures, if the import share of a developing country (or region) that has been excluded from the application of these measures exceeds 3% in any given year, or if the total import share of these countries (or regions) exceeds 9%, safeguard measures may be applied to their products starting from the following year.
V, Reconsideration
During the period of implementation of safeguard measures, the Ministry of Commerce may, in accordance with the law, review the form and level of such safeguard measures based on changes in relevant circumstances.
This announcement shall take effect as of January 1, 2026.
