Ministry of Commerce: Implementing safeguard measures for imported beef

On December 31st, the Ministry of Commerce announced a ruling on safeguard measures for imported beef. According to the Regulations on Safeguard Measures of the People's Republic of China, the investigative agency ruled that the increase in the quantity of imported beef has caused serious damage to China's domestic industry, and there is a causal relationship between the increase in imported products and the serious damage. According to Article 19 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, safeguard measures can be in the form of increased tariffs, quantity restrictions, etc. Based on the investigation results, the Ministry of Commerce decided to implement safeguard measures for imported beef in the form of "country-specific quotas and additional tariffs outside the quotas". The implementation period of the safeguard measures is 3 years, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028. For products originating from developing countries (regions), if their import share does not exceed 3% and the total import share of these countries ( regions) does not exceed 9%, the safeguard measures do not apply. Here is the original text: Ministry of Commerce Announcement No. 87 of 2025 on the Ruling on Safeguard Measures for Imported Beef According to the Regulations on Safeguard Measures of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Safeguard Measures Regulations"), on December 27, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce (referred to as the investigative agency) issued Announcement No. 60 of 2024, deciding to initiate a safeguard investigation on imported beef (referred to as the product under investigation). The investigative agency conducted an investigation on whether the quantity of imported products under investigation has increased, whether it has caused damage to the domestic industry and the extent of the damage, and the causal relationship between the increase in quantity and the damage. Now that the investigation in this case has concluded, in accordance with Articles 19 and 20 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, the investigative agency has made a ruling (see Annex 1). The relevant matters are now announced as follows: I. Ruling The investigative agency ruled that the quantity of imported beef has increased, causing serious damage to China's domestic industry, and there is a causal relationship between the increase in the quantity of imported products and serious damage. II. Implementation of Safeguard Measures According to Article 19 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, safeguard measures can be in the form of increased tariffs, quantity restrictions, etc. Based on the investigation results, the Ministry of Commerce decided to implement safeguard measures for imported beef in the form of "country-specific quotas and additional tariffs outside the quotas". The implementation period of the safeguard measures is 3 years, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028. The safeguard measures will be gradually relaxed at fixed intervals during the implementation period. According to Article 20 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, the Ministry of Commerce will propose to the Tariff Commission of the State Council to impose additional tariffs on imported beef beyond the specified quantity (see Annex 2). The Tariff Commission of the State Council will make a decision based on the proposal of the Ministry of Commerce, and impose a tariff rate of 55% on imported beef beyond the specified quantity (see Annex 2) in addition to the current applicable tariff rate. The specific description of the product under investigation is as follows: Product under investigation: Beef. English name: Meat of bovine animals. Product description: Beef products from live cattle (belonging to the bovine genus) that have been slaughtered and processed, including fresh, chilled, or frozen whole head and half head beef, beef with bones, and boneless beef. This product is classified under the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China: 02011000, 02012000, 02013000, 02021000, 02022000, 02023000. III. Method of implementing safeguard measures Starting from January 1, 2026, if the quantity of imported beef does not exceed the specified quantity (see Annex 2), importers should pay customs duties at the current applicable tariff rate when importing beef, and the unused quota from the previous year will not be carried over to the next year. From the third day (including the current day) after the imported beef reaches the specified quantity (see Annex 2), importers should pay an additional 55% tariff on imported beef based on the current applicable tariff rate. During the implementation period of the safeguard measures, the special safeguard measures for beef specified in the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement are suspended. IV. Exclusion of Developing Countries (Regions) For products originating from developing countries (regions), if their import share does not exceed 3% and the total import share of these countries (regions) does not exceed 9%, the safeguard measures do not apply. The list of developing countries (regions) excluded from the safeguard measures is in Annex 3. During the 3-year implementation period of the safeguard measures, if the import share of a developing country (region) excluded from the application of the safeguard measures exceeds 3% in any year, or the total import share of these countries (regions) exceeds 9%, safeguard measures may be applied to their products from the following year. V. Review During the implementation period of the safeguard measures, the Ministry of Commerce may review the form and level of the safeguard measures based on changes in relevant circumstances. This announcement will take effect from January 1, 2026. This article is compiled from the Ministry of Commerce, edited by GMTEight: Chen Wenfang.