Announcement of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China on the Ruling of the Safeguard Measure Investigation into Imported Beef

In accordance with the provisions of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Safeguard Measures (hereinafter referred to as the Safeguard Measures Regulations), on December 27, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce (hereinafter referred to as the Investigating Authority) issued Announcement No. 60 of 2024, deciding to initiate a safeguard measure investigation into imported beef (hereinafter referred to as the investigated product).

The Investigating Authority has conducted an investigation into whether the import volume of the investigated product has increased, whether the domestic industry has suffered injury and the degree of injury, as well as the causal link between the increased import volume and the injury.

The investigation of this case has now been completed. In accordance with Articles 19 and 20 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, the Investigating Authority has made a ruling (see Annex 1). Relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:

I. Ruling

The Investigating Authority rules that the import volume of beef has increased, the domestic industry of China has suffered serious injury, and there is a causal link between the increased import volume of the product and the serious injury.

II. Imposition of Safeguard Measures

In accordance with Article 19 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, safeguard measures may take the form of tariff increases, quantitative restrictions, etc. Based on the investigation results, the Ministry of Commerce decides to impose safeguard measures on imported beef in the form of country-specific quotas plus additional tariffs on imports exceeding the quotas. The safeguard measures shall be implemented for a period of three years, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, and shall be gradually relaxed at fixed intervals during the implementation period.

In accordance with Article 20 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, the Ministry of Commerce has submitted a proposal to the Tariff Commission of the State Council for imposing additional tariffs on imported beef in excess of the prescribed volume (see Annex 2). The Tariff Commission of the State Council has made a decision based on the proposal, stipulating that an additional tariff of 55% shall be levied on imported beef in excess of the prescribed volume (see Annex 2) on top of the currently applicable tariff rate.

Description of the Investigated Product

1. Product Name: Beef

2. English Name: Meat of bovine animals

3. Product Description: The investigated product refers to beef products processed from slaughtered live bovine animals (genus Bos), including fresh, chilled or frozen whole and half carcasses of beef, bone-in beef and boneless beef.

4. HS Codes: 02011000, 02012000, 02013000, 02021000, 02022000, 02023000 of the Customs Tariff of the People's Republic of China.

III. Implementation of the Safeguard Measures

1. Starting from January 1, 2026, for imported beef within the prescribed volume (see Annex 2), importers shall pay tariffs at the currently applicable tariff rate upon importation, and the unused quota volume of the previous year shall not be carried over to the next year.

2. Starting from the 3rd day (inclusive) after the imported beef reaches the prescribed volume (see Annex 2), importers shall pay an additional tariff of 55% on top of the currently applicable tariff rate upon importation of beef.

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

IV. Exclusion for Developing Countries and Regions

Safeguard measures shall not apply to products originating from developing countries and regions whose individual import share is less than 3%, and the total import share of all such countries and regions is less than 9%. The list of developing countries and regions exempted from the safeguard measures is set out in Annex 3.

During the three-year implementation period of the safeguard measures, if the import share of any exempted developing country or region exceeds 3% in a given year, or the total import share of such countries and regions exceeds 9%, the safeguard measures may be applied to their products starting from the following year.

V. Review

During the implementation of the safeguard measures, the Ministry of Commerce may review the form and level of the safeguard measures in accordance with the law based on changes in relevant circumstances.

This Announcement shall come into force on January 1, 2026.