Ministry of Commerce: Implementing Safeguard Measures for Imported Beef

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on December 31, the Ministry of Commerce announced a ruling on implementing safeguard measures on imported beef. According to the “Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Safeguard Measures”, the investigation authority determined that the increase in the amount of imported beef seriously damaged China's domestic industry, and that there was a causal relationship between the increase in the number of imported products and the serious damage. According to Article 19 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, safeguard measures may take the form of increased tariffs, quantity restrictions, etc. Based on the investigation results, the Ministry of Commerce decided to take safeguard measures for imported beef in the form of “national quotas and additional tariffs”. The implementation period of the safeguard measures is 3 years, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028. For products originating in developing countries (regions), if their import share does not exceed 3%, and the total import share of these countries (regions) does not exceed 9%, the safeguard measures are not applied.

The original text is as follows:

Ministry of Commerce Notice No. 87 of 2025 Announces Ruling on Implementing Safeguard Measures on Imported Beef

According to 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 Investigative Authority) issued Notice No. 60 of 2024, deciding to open a safeguard investigation on imported beef (hereinafter referred to as the product being investigated).

The investigation authorities investigated whether the number of imported products under investigation increased, whether it caused damage to the domestic industry and the extent of damage, and the causal relationship between the increase in the number of imports and the damage.

The investigation of this case has now been completed. According to the provisions of Sections 19 and 20 of the Safeguards Regulations, the investigation authority has made a ruling (see Annex 1). The relevant matters are now announced as follows:

I. Rulings

Investigative authorities have determined that the increase in imported beef has seriously damaged China's domestic industry, and that there is a causal relationship between the increase in the number of imported products and the serious damage.

II. Implementing Safeguards

According to Article 19 of the Safeguard Measures Regulations, safeguard measures may take the form of increased tariffs, quantity restrictions, etc. Based on the investigation results, the Ministry of Commerce decided to take safeguard measures for imported beef in the form of “national quotas and additional tariffs”. The implementation period of the safeguard measures is 3 years, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028. Safeguards are gradually relaxed at fixed time intervals during the implementation period.

According to Article 20 of the “Safeguard Measures Regulations”, the Ministry of Commerce proposes to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council to impose additional tariffs on imported beef above the specified amount (see Annex 2). The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council makes a decision based on the Ministry of Commerce's proposal and imposes tariffs on imported beef outside the specified amount (see Annex 2) on the basis of the current applicable tariff rate. The additional tariff rate is 55%.

The detailed description of the surveyed products is as follows:

Product name investigated: beef.

English name: Meat of bovine animals.

Product description: The surveyed products live cows (beef genus) are beef products that have been slaughtered and processed, including fresh, frozen, or frozen whole and half-head beef, boneless beef, and boneless beef.

This product falls under the “Import and Export Tariff Rules of the People's Republic of China”: 02011000, 02012000, 02013000, 02021000, 02022000, 02023000.

III. Methods for implementing safeguards

As of January 1, 2026, if imported beef does not exceed the specified amount (see Annex 2), the import operator will pay customs duties at the current applicable tariff rate when importing beef, and the amount of quota not used up during the previous year will not be carried over to the next year.

Starting on the 3rd day (including that day) when imported beef reaches the specified quantity (see Annex 2), import operators shall add a 55% tariff on top of the currently applicable tariff rate when importing beef.

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

IV. Exclusion of developing countries (regions)

For products originating in developing countries (regions), if their import share does not exceed 3%, and the total import share of these countries (regions) does not exceed 9%, the safeguard measures are not applied. See Annex 3 for a list of developing countries (regions) not subject to safeguards.

Within the 3-year period of implementation of the safeguard measures, if the export share of the excluded developing countries (regions) exceeds 3% in one year, or the total import share of these countries (regions) exceeds 9%, the safeguard measures can be applied to their products starting the following year.

5. Review

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

This notice is effective as of January 1, 2026.

This article was edited by the Ministry of Commerce, Zhitong Finance Editor: Chen Wenfang.