ACFTA tariff 2026: preferential import duty & C/O

ASEAN – China Free Trade Agreement

ChinaASEAN (member states)
Quick facts
Effective for Vietnam
01/01/2005 (Trade in Goods Agreement)
Members
China, ASEAN (member states)
C/O form
E (paper)
Import side: competent authorities of China/the exporting ASEAN country (in China typically CCPIT or China Customs); Vietnamese exports: issued via eCoSys
Legal basis
Decree 118/2022/NĐ-CP (special preferential import tariff, 2022–2027)
Circular 12/2019/TT-BCT
9,708/11,025 tariff lines at 0%

Top HS codes with the biggest duty savings under ACFTA

HS codeDescriptionMFNACFTADifference
63090000Worn clothing and other worn articles100%0%−100 pts
24022010Beedies135%50%−85 pts
24022020Clove cigarettes135%50%−85 pts
24022090Other135%50%−85 pts
24029010Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos of tobacco substitutes135%50%−85 pts
24029020Cigarettes of tobacco substitutes135%50%−85 pts
87113011Completely Knocked Down75%0%−75 pts
87113019Other75%0%−75 pts
87113030Other, Completely Knocked Down75%0%−75 pts
87113090Other75%0%−75 pts

Based on the 2026 tariff schedule, excluding quota-restricted lines. Data is for reference only.

Does your shipment qualify for ACFTA?

Have an Avenir expert check the rules of origin & C/O form - free of charge.

Rules of origin to know

  • General rule: RVC 40% or a change of 4-digit heading (CTH); some lines have specific PSR under the annexes of Circular 12/2019/TT-BCT.
  • Form E is still a PAPER C/O - China does not exchange e-C/O with Vietnam; the original must match the registered specimen seals and signatures.
  • Goods transiting Hong Kong must carry the prescribed "goods kept intact" confirmation from the authorised body in Hong Kong - missing it is one of the most common reasons a Form E is rejected.
  • Third-country invoicing is accepted if box 13 of the Form E is completed correctly.

Steps to claim ACFTA preferential duty

  1. 1
    Determine the 8-digit HS code

    Use Avenir’s HS lookup tool or have an expert confirm it before placing the order.

  2. 2
    Compare the ACFTA rate vs MFN

    Check the ACFTA row on the code detail page - many Chinese-origin lines carry a very large gap vs MFN.

  3. 3
    Have the supplier prepare a correct Form E

    Review the draft first: 6-digit HS code, goods description, third-country-invoicing box, origin criterion (RVC/CTH) - one wrong box risks rejection.

  4. 4
    Declare the C/O and keep the original

    Declare at clearance; if the original has not arrived, declare late submission and supplement within 1 year under Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC.

  5. 5
    Keep records for 5 years

    Original Form E + bill of lading + contract for post-clearance audit - Form E is the most-verified C/O type.

Post-clearance audit risks & common mistakes

Hong Kong transit without the kept-intact confirmation

Goods routed through Hong Kong (very common for South China cargo) without the prescribed confirmation lose the direct-transport condition - MFN duty is collected plus penalties under Decree 169/2026/NĐ-CP.

Seal/signature on the Form E not matching the registered specimen

Customs checks against the notified Chinese specimen set; a mismatch triggers suspected forgery and months-long verification.

Invoice seller differs from the C/O applicant without declaring third-party invoicing

Intermediary trading structures must be shown correctly in box 13 of the Form E - omitting it is the top reason Form E gets rejected.

Frequently asked questions about ACFTA

Is there an electronic Form E?
Not yet. Unlike Form D (ASEAN) or AK/VK (Korea), Form E remains a paper C/O - a valid original is needed when customs asks. Official electronic exchange with China has not been rolled out.
Can Chinese goods use RCEP instead of Form E?
Yes - China is an RCEP member. Compare line by line: many ACFTA lines are lower than RCEP, but RCEP helps when you need multi-source cumulation or when a Form E is hard to obtain. The code detail page shows both rates.
Where do I look up 2026 ACFTA rates?
The 2022–2027 schedule is promulgated in Decree 118/2022/NĐ-CP. Look up your HS code on Avenir’s tool to see the ACFTA row next to MFN.
How long does a Form E verification take?
Customs may provisionally apply MFN while sending a verification request to the Chinese issuing body; the process can take months. If verification succeeds you get the difference refunded; if not, duty is collected with penalties. Preparing complete origin documents up front is the cheapest option.

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