China has announced a fresh round of import tariff changes for 2026 as it looks to support domestic manufacturing and reduce costs for key industries.
The State Council Tariff Commission has released the updated tariff schedule which takes effect from January 1 2026.
The changes include provisional tariff cuts on hundreds of products. Under the new plan China will apply lower provisional import tariffs on 935 products.
The move is aimed at easing pressure on manufacturers by making critical raw materials and components cheaper to import.
The leather industry is among the key beneficiaries. Wet-blue, full grain bovine leather and other chrome-tanned bovine hides will see their MFN tariff reduced from 6% to 3% in 2026.
Wet-blue sheep and goat skins will also get relief with tariffs cut from 14% to 10%.
These tariff cuts are temporary and sit below the standard MFN rates. The goal is to improve raw material supply for China’s leather, garments and footwear sectors throughout 2026.
At the same time China has restored MFN tariffs on some imports that earlier enjoyed lower rates. This decision reflects changes in domestic supply and demand as local industries adjust and grow.
China continues to grant MFN tariff treatment to all WTO member countries unless specific exceptions apply. Most major trading nations remain covered under this system.
In simple terms China is lowering import costs where industries need support and tightening tariffs where domestic supply has improved which signals a balanced approach to protecting growth while managing market stability.
