Customs officers inspect coffee beans on display at the Hongqiao International Coffee Culture Festival. [Photo/General Administration of Customs]
A business environment roundtable forum on China's zero-tariff policy for African countries and coffee industry services was held at the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center in Shanghai on May 20.
Estifanos Daniel Wolde, an Ethiopian green bean exporter with four years of experience, noted the policy's benefits: "Now if Chinese buyers want to import green beans, there is no tariff."
Shanghai is China's largest coffee import port, accounting for 38 percent of the nation's coffee imports by volume in 2025. China's coffee imports rose from 59,100 metric tons in 2015 to 213,300 tons in 2024.
To further facilitate trade, Shanghai Customs has introduced measures such as a "green channel" for major agricultural products imported under the zero-tariff policy for African countries. Customs procedures for coffee beans have been streamlined, prioritizing rapid inspection and clearance.
