The agreement follows China’s pledge last June to provide 100% tariff-line zero-duty treatment to 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau signed the Framework Agreement on Jointly Developing an Economic Partnership during the ninth meeting of the China–South Africa Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Beijing on Feb. 6.
Wang said China is prepared to deepen bilateral trade cooperation and ensure that South African exports receive zero-tariff treatment across all tariff lines in compliance with World Trade Organization rules.
Tau said on social media platform X that the agreement would “enhance trade with the People’s Republic of China while increasing exports and rebuilding our industrial capacity.”
The South African government later described the deal as “landmark” and said the two sides aim to conclude an “Early Harvest Agreement” by the end of March 2026. That agreement would accelerate duty-free access for South African exports and promote Chinese investment in South Africa.
China’s zero-tariff commitment was first announced in June by President Xi Jinping at a ministerial meeting under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation. Of Africa’s 54 countries, only Eswatini does not maintain diplomatic relations with China, making South Africa eligible under the policy.
If fully implemented, the arrangement would remove import tariffs on South African wine entering China.
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However, South Africa’s wine exports to China remain modest. In 2025, the country ranked 11th among China’s wine import sources by value, with imports totaling $7.07 million, accounting for 0.50% of China’s total wine imports.
Imports from South Africa declined sharply last year. Import value fell 47.61% year-on-year, while volume dropped 47.03% to 2.01 million liters, reflecting weak demand and strong competition in the Chinese market.
China already grants zero tariffs to wine from Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Georgia. Even so, imported wine remains subject to a 10% consumption tax and 13% value-added tax at customs clearance.
