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China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Wednesday that it has decided to impose safeguard measures on imported beef in the form of country-specific tariff-rate quotas. The safeguard measures will be implemented for a period of 3 years, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.

The MOFCOM said on December 27, 2024 that it decided to initiate a safeguard investigation on imported beef. After the investigation, the investigating authority has determined that the quantity of imported beef has increased, the domestic industry in China has suffered serious injury, and there is a causal link between the increase in imported products and the serious injury.

China's State Council Tariff Commission, based on the recommendations of the MOFCOM, has decided to impose additional tariffs on imported beef exceeding the specified quantity, at a rate of 55 percent on top of the current applicable tariff rates, according to the MOFCOM.

Starting from January 1, 2026, for imported beef that does not exceed the specified quantity, import operators shall pay tariffs at the current applicable tariff rates when importing beef. Any unused quota quantity from the previous year shall not be carried over to the next year, the ministry said.

Starting from the third day after the imported beef reaches the specified quantity, import operators shall, when importing beef, pay an additional 55 percent tariff on top of the current applicable tariff rates, per MOFCOM. 

During the implementation of the safeguard measures, the special safeguard measures for beef stipulated in the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement shall be suspended.

For products originating from developing countries or regions, if the import share of any single such country or region does not exceed 3 percent, and the total import share of all such countries or regions does not exceed 9 percent, the safeguard measures shall not apply. During the 3-year implementation period of the safeguard measures, if in any year the import share of a developing country or region that was previously excluded exceeds 3 percent, or if the total import share of these countries or regions exceeds 9 percent, the safeguard measures may be applied to the products of that country or region starting from the following year, the MOFCOM said.

A spokesperson from the MOFCOM said on Wednesday that the implementation of safeguard measures on imported beef is intended to provide phased assistance to help the domestic industry overcome its difficulties, rather than to restrict normal beef trade. 

The Chinese market remains open, and there is broad scope for cooperation in beef trade with our trading partners. China is willing to work with all parties to jointly maintain a healthy and stable international trade environment, the spokesperson noted.

The head of the trade remedy investigation bureau at the ministry said on Wednesday that the form of the country-specific tariff-rate quotas is moderate and mild in intensity. It provides relief to the domestic industry, offering space for its further recovery and development, while also taking into account the reasonable demands of trading partners and minimizing the impact on normal trade as much as possible.

During the implementation period of the safeguard measures, regarding the quota usage status, the competent authorities, such as the Ministry of Commerce and Customs, will release reminder information through relevant public channels when the import volume reaches 50 percent and 80 percent of each country’s annual quota quantity. When the import volume reaches each country’s annual quota quantity, they will release reminder information regarding the increase in tariffs, said the official.


Global Times