China lowered import tariffs on 28 commodities in four areas including technology, environmental protection, energy and general consumer goods such as macadamia nuts on January 1, the General Administration of Customs said in a press release e-mailed to the Global Times on Thursday.

At the same time, import tariffs on 39 commodities which domestic firms' production capacity could appropriately meet market demand have been increased starting from January 1, it said.

China's average tariff rate was unchanged at 9.8 percent in 2015, with a 15.1 percent levy on farm produce and 8.9 percent on manufactured goods, it said.