Starting from July 20th, China will allow African countries with diplomatic relations to export coffee beans that meet the requirements to China

Beijing, May 27th (Xinhua) -- African agricultural products exported to China welcome dividends again! According to a recent announcement by the General Administration of Customs, starting from July 20, 2026, coffee beans from 53 African countries with diplomatic relations can be exported to China if they meet the requirements. The head of the Animal and Plant Inspection Department of the General Administration of Customs stated on May 27th that while ensuring safety, the General Administration of Customs will further accelerate the quarantine and access of African agricultural and food products. The coffee beans allowed to be exported to China this time are the first agricultural products to achieve comprehensive quarantine and access in African countries with diplomatic relations, following dried chili peppers.

Coffee beans are not only a characteristic agricultural product of Africa, but also an important economic pillar industry for many African countries. The person in charge said that at present, coffee beans from Ethiopia, Burundi and other African countries have achieved quarantine access, and Mauritius, Angola, Togo, Guinea, Liberia,  Sao Tome and Principe and other African countries have successively applied for exporting coffee beans to China.

The person in charge stated that, in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and international standards, the General Administration of Customs organized experts to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the planting, production, and processing of coffee beans in African countries. They believed that the pest and risk prevention measures for coffee beans in the African region were basically the same, and based on this, unified import plant quarantine requirements were formulated, including management of planting bases, registration of processing enterprises, export inspection and quarantine, and issuance of quarantine certificates. It was clarified that coffee beans from African countries with diplomatic relations can be exported to China as long as they meet the relevant requirements, without negotiating quarantine requirements or signing entry agreements with relevant national authorities one by one.

Industry insiders told reporters that "comprehensive quarantine access" solves the problem of whether African coffee beans can be sold, but it does not mean that African coffee beans can be exempted from inspection and customs clearance. In the future, if other African countries with diplomatic relations intend to export coffee beans to China, they must comply with the requirements of General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 68 of 2026.

The person in charge stated that the General Administration of Customs will continue to implement the upgraded "green channel" facilitation measures, help more high-quality and safe African agricultural and food products enter China, share development opportunities with African countries, and provide more diverse choices for Chinese consumers.