China’s temporary zero-tariff treatment for qualifying imports from South Africa is contributing to increased demand for commodities moving through the Port of Ngqura, according to a senior port official, highlighting the growing importance of Asian markets to Southern Africa’s export corridors.
Xola Mkontwana, business strategy manager at the Port of Ngqura, said the port had experienced what he described as “exponential growth” in demand for dry bulk commodities destined for China since the tariff measures took effect.
He identified chrome, magnetite, iron ore and corn among the commodities contributing to increased bulk activity. Mkontwana said stronger Chinese demand, together with prices available to South African producers, was supporting higher volumes through the logistics hub.
The comments were made during a media visit to the Coega Special Economic Zone in the Eastern Cape.
China’s tariff arrangement took effect on 1 May 2026 and covers South Africa and 19 other African countries that are not classified as least developed countries. The two-year arrangement runs until 30 April 2028. Preferential treatment is conditional on applicable rules of origin and customs requirements, with exporters required to provide qualifying certificates of origin.
The arrangement forms part of a wider Chinese policy to extend zero-tariff access progressively across African economies with which Beijing maintains diplomatic relations.
The practical effect is likely to differ across commodities and exporters. Some tariff lines are subject to tariff-rate quotas, while the scheme also requires exporters to satisfy product-specific origin conditions. South African authorities have established procedures for issuing certificates of origin for qualifying exports.
Ngqura, located about 20 kilometres north-east of Gqeberha in Nelson Mandela Bay, is a deep-water port within the Coega Special Economic Zone. The facility handles containers, dry and liquid bulk, automotive cargo and other freight, making it an important component of the Eastern Cape’s export infrastructure.
The development comes against a broader effort by South Africa to diversify its trade relationship with China beyond a longstanding concentration in minerals and other primary commodities. South African government figures show bilateral trade increased from $34.2 billion in 2024 to $36.4 billion in 2025, although officials have acknowledged the need to expand value-added exports and industrial production.
For African exporters, the tariff arrangement creates an opportunity to improve market access, but its longer-term significance will depend on whether increased commodity trade is accompanied by greater processing, logistics investment and industrial capacity within African economies.
