GABRIEL GROUP

The EU is gradually closing the loopholes that allowed small parcels from China to enter with almost no customs duties. This means that small, one‑off orders will become less profitable, while serious bulk importing will once again come to the forefront.

New rules have already been adopted to curb unfair competition from cheap e‑commerce shipments and to bring small parcels from China under the same regime as standard imports. In practice, this means a flat customs duty of €3 on small consignments, followed by the removal of the €150 threshold for charging customs duties.

For end consumers this is a price increase, but for bulk importers it is a clear signal that trading conditions will level out and that the time has come for more serious planning of B2B imports from China.

When you buy a tractor from China, the key question is not just the price, but how to choose the right model and a reliable manufacturer – and then be sure the machine is truly high-quality and safely packed for transport. That is why our work does not start at the factory, but much earlier – when we help the client select the right tractor for their needs, and it ends only once the tractor is loaded into the container and ready to ship.

This time, we provided a complete service for a customer who needed four tractors with different power ratings. Our job was to find the right model and manufacturer, inspect the tractors at the factory and supervise the entire container loading process.

China has announced a major change in trade policy towards African countries that directly impacts exporters from Africa. During a message addressed to African Union leaders in Addis Ababa in February 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that China will implement zero tariffs on imports from 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing, starting May 1, 2026.

This decision effectively means that products from almost the entire African continent can enter the Chinese market without import duties, with Eswatini as the only exception due to its official relations with Taiwan. For African exporters and companies doing business with China, this is a new opportunity, but also a responsibility to better prepare for the requirements of the Chinese market. At the same time, the move further strengthens China’s role as a key partner of the Global South and deepens its political and economic ties with African countries.