Overview
- The safeguard regime took effect on January 1, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2028 with annual reviews.
- Imports within each country’s quota keep the 12.5% tariff, with a 55% additional duty applied once the quota is exceeded.
- Allocated volumes include Argentina 511,000 tonnes, Brazil about 1.1 million tonnes, Uruguay 324,000 tonnes, Australia 200,000 tonnes, and the United States 164,000 tonnes in 2026 rising to 168,000 in 2027 and 171,000 in 2028.
- Unused yearly quotas do not roll over, and China partially suspended beef provisions of its free-trade agreement with Australia during the safeguard period.
- Argentina sent about 453,860 tonnes to China in January–November 2025, indicating the new cap limits expansion more than current flows and pushing exporters to tighten shipment planning.