China to Implement Temporary Tariff Rates on Certain Commodities Starting December 1

The Tariff Commission of the State Council announced that, starting December 1, China will introduce temporary import tariff rates across a selected range of goods. These revisions are aimed at reducing raw material costs and supporting growth within key domestic sectors. Among the adjustments, import duties on lithium chloride and lithium hydroxide will be set at zero, bolstering efforts in resource optimization and industry advancement. Tariffs on specific fertilizers, including potassium nitrate, will also be reduced to strengthen agricultural output and safeguard supply continuity.

In response to heightened demands for high-quality development and evolving consumption patterns, the Commission will implement lower-than-most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs on various categories of advanced technology equipment and components. These measures are designed to facilitate industrial transformation through innovation and technological progress. Concurrently, export tariffs on products such as ferrochrome and high-carbon ferrochrome will be modified to refine China's export composition and uphold national resource security.

China will continue to observe preferential tariff rates established under current free trade agreements and regional arrangements. As part of its commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO), the 2024 tariff schedule will take effect on January 1. This framework includes MFN tariff rates applied to 8,957 categories of goods, with 1,010 items designated to receive provisional import duties below standard MFN levels.

To ensure transparency and improve public accessibility, the Customs Tariff Commission has issued supplemental notes and a comprehensive tariff schedule detailing the scope and structure of these changes.