Tau urges firms to use China's zero-tariff access
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said at a briefing in Pretoria that South Africa wants to turn duty-free access into exports, local manufacturing and jobs. The South African Revenue Service issued 25 975 certificates of origin between 1 June and 31 August.
Tau said the zero-tariff treatment runs for two years and the government is not waiting for it to expire. Talks continue on a longer-term Early Harvest Agreement. Tau said it is meant to give exporters more certainty beyond 2028, with safeguards for South African industry and jobs.
Customs declarations rose 199% year on year. Some 47 tariff lines are excluded from duty-free access and are subject to tariff-rate quotas.
Total trade between South Africa and China reached R642 billion in 2025. South African exports to China were R222 billion, up from R198 billion in 2021. Imports from China were R420 billion, up from R284 billion in 2021. Tau said: "A relationship of this importance must rest on predictable rules and balanced trade."
Chery, a Chinese vehicle maker, acquired the Nissan South Africa plant in Rosslyn and kept 692 former Nissan employees. Tau said Chery plans to scale up to nearly 3 000 direct and indirect jobs.
Key facts
- Who
- Parks Tau (Trade, Industry and Competition Minister); Wang Wentao (Chinese Minister); South African Revenue Service (issued certificates of origin); Industrial Development Corporation (supporting battery and EV projects; joint venture partner of BAIC)
- What
- Minister Parks Tau urged South African businesses to take advantage of duty-free access to the Chinese market under China's unilateral preference scheme, while negotiations continue on a longer-term Early Harvest Agreement. SARS issued 25 975 certificates of origin between 1 June and 31 August.
- When
- 22 October 2026
- Where
- Pretoria, China, Beijing
- Status
- Reported