Cameroon ships 17 tons of coffee to China duty-free
A first shipment of 17 metric tons of Cameroonian coffee is reportedly on its way to China under a zero-tariff deal that took effect on May 1, 2026.
Cameroon has reportedly sent its first 17-ton coffee shipment to China under a duty-free trade arrangement that began on May 1, 2026. Du Xiaohui, director-general of the Department of African Affairs at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the shipment on November 10 in Yaoundé, after a meeting with Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze. Cameroon Tribune, reporting remarks on November 11, said it would be the first coffee shipment from Cameroon to benefit from the new tariff policy.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on November 12 that confirmed Du Xiaohui's visit and his talks with Cameroonian officials. The statement referred to both countries' plans to use zero-tariff trade but did not mention the coffee.
Several key details remain unknown more than six months after the measure took effect. Neither the exporter nor the Chinese buyer has been named, and no information has been given on the port of departure or the shipment's value.
Why it mattersCoffee exporters can now send shipments to China without tariffs, a change that took effect on May 1, 2026.