Cameroon ships first 17 tons coffee to China duty-free
Cameroonian exporters now access China's market without import duties on qualifying shipments.
Cameroon has sent its first 17 tons of coffee to China under Beijing’s zero-tariff policy. This gives Cameroonian exporters duty-free access to the Chinese market for qualifying shipments. The Ministry of Finance announced the shipment on November 10 following a meeting in Yaoundé.
The meeting involved Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze and Du Xiaohui, director-general of the Department of African Affairs at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry stated that Cameroonian exports to China increased 41.8% year on year, with cocoa shipments rising 272%. Discussions focused on investment and how Cameroonian businesses can benefit from China's tariff preferences.
China's Customs Tariff Commission introduced the preferential rates on May 1, 2026, under the country's Tariff Law. This measure covers Cameroon and 19 other eligible African countries. Both sides agreed to continue economic negotiations to further boost trade.
Why it mattersCameroonian coffee exporters will benefit from reduced costs when selling to China.