Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
The national trade development and promotion agency, ZimTrade, has completed all the necessary procedures to enable qualifying Zimbabwean exporters to benefit from China’s 100 percent duty-free market access.
This paves the way for Zimbabwe’s increased exports to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
China implemented zero-tariff treatment on all products imported from 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe, in May this year as part of efforts to deepen trade with the continent.
The preferential trade arrangement is expected to significantly expand market access for Zimbabwean products, stimulate local industrial production and create employment and income opportunities through increased exports.
Announcing the development, ZimTrade said the duty-free facility was now fully operational and urged exporters to capitalise on the opportunity.
“This milestone opens up significant opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses to increase exports to one of the world’s largest consumer markets under the China-Africa preferential trade arrangement.
“Exporters are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and explore the vast potential of the Chinese market,” ZimTrade said on its official X account.
The agency said exporters must first obtain a Certificate of Origin from any ZimTrade office before having it authenticated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) prior to export.
The zero-tariff initiative is being reinforced by China’s upgraded Green Channel 2.0, a dedicated trade facilitation mechanism designed to accelerate market access for African agricultural and food products.
The enhanced framework provides faster approval procedures, streamlined assessments, expanded use of remote inspections and more flexible enterprise registration arrangements, reducing both the time and administrative requirements needed for exporters to enter the Chinese market.
Zimbabwe has steadily expanded access for its agricultural exports through a series of bilateral trade agreements with China, including a citrus trade protocol signed in 2022, an avocado export agreement concluded in 2024 and blueberry export procedures finalised last year.
The agreements reflect growing economic cooperation between the two countries, supported by improvements in Zimbabwe’s regulatory framework, food safety standards and export capacity.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), China was Zimbabwe’s third-largest export destination after the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, with exports reaching US$1,4 billion in 2025.
Imports from China also rose to US$1,6 billion last year from US$1,4 billion in 2024.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Zhou Ding, recently said China had continued expanding market access for Zimbabwean agricultural products through bilateral trade protocols.
He said China was now importing Zimbabwean tobacco, avocados, citrus fruits, dried chillies and macadamia nuts, with sesame joining the list of approved products.
“Last year, nearly half of Zimbabwe’s tobacco output valued at US$800 million was exported to China.
“We also imported over 5 000 tonnes of macadamia nuts worth US$12 million. Zimbabwe’s citrus fruits, blueberries and dried chillies have also gained entry into the Chinese market,” said Amb Ding.
Meanwhile, ZIMRA has published detailed procedures that prospective exporters must follow to export goods under the new arrangements.
The authority said every export consignment must be accompanied by a Bill of Entry (Form 21), an export invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin, consignment note, Customs Declaration Form Number One (CD1), as well as any permits or licences required for specific products.
“Lodging of Bill of Entry to ZIMRA must be done by a registered customs clearing agent for processing.
“Consignment may be physically examined, if necessary, with a release order issued,” the authority said in a notice published in The Herald.
ZIMRA said the CD1 is an exchange control form processed through authorised commercial banks on behalf of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Computerised Export Payments Exchange Control System (CEPECS) to facilitate export transactions.
The authority said export purchase orders should specify the goods required, quantities, prices, shipping dates, payment terms and packaging instructions, while commercial invoices must include the country of origin, names of the buyer and seller, description and quantity of goods, payment terms, mode of dispatch, value of the consignment and applicable Incoterms.
ZIMRA also advised exporters that goods must leave the country within 30 days after export authorisation has been granted.
“Once authority to load goods for export has been granted, the goods shall not be delivered in Zimbabwe unless otherwise authorised by an officer.
“Any person who exports or assists in exporting any goods in contravention of the law shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Level Six or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both,” the authority warned.
To obtain an export licence where one is required, applicants must submit a letter addressed to the Secretary for Industry and Commerce detailing the product description, quantity, country of origin, destination, intended use, purchase price, total consignment value and selling price.
Applications must also be accompanied by a CR14, tax clearance certificate, certificate of incorporation and proof of payment of the Standard Development Fund levy.
ENDS_
