Trade and Investment China

China has expanded zero-tariff trade policy for African countries by granting duty-free access to an additional 20 African nations from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028. Under the measures, imports from these countries enjoy zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines , covering 8,949 tariff items.   Under the provisions of the measure, only the in-quota tariff rates for products subject to Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) will be reduced to zero, while out-of-quota tariff rates will remain unchanged and continue to apply in accordance with existing regulations.   This latest measure builds on China’s earlier preferential market-access initiative, which came into effect on 1 December 2024 that granted zero-tariff treatment to 33 Least-Developed African countries.   The expansion brings the total number of African beneficiaries to 53 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China. Eswatini remains the only African country excluded from the arrangement due to its diplomat...

Business registration in China involves multiple steps, including approvals, fees, and coordination with various government agencies. The process typically includes selecting an appropriate company structure, renting an office space, preparing required documents, securing necessary approvals or licenses, and registering with the relevant authorities. The process generally takes 8 to 12 weeks to be fully operational, but timelines and procedures may vary depending on the specific province, city and investment type.   Useful Tips Work with a local legal or business consultant experienced in China. Ensure all documents not in Chinese are notarized and legalized. Check if your sector has restrictions or requires extra licenses. Proposed registration timelines may be extended due to regulatory requirements. Maintain relations with local authorities to ease compliance and future renewals. Monitor updates to China’s Negative List and legal regulations. For e-commerce, consider setting up ...