China will introduce several new import and export tariff categories related to robots from Thursday, as it seeks to better support trade in high-technology products, according to an official tariff adjustment plan.

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said in its latest notice that China will add a new tariff category for intelligent bionic robots next year, setting the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff rate at 0 percent and the general tariff rate at 30 percent.

Two additional tariff categories will be created for different types of cleaning robots. One category will carry an MFN rate of 8 percent and a general rate of 130 percent, while the other will have an MFN rate of 0 percent and a general rate of 30 percent, the commission said.

The changes are part of Beijing’s broader efforts to refine tariff classifications to better reflect advances in technology and the growing importance of robotics and automation in manufacturing, services and household applications.

By introducing more granular tariff lines, authorities aim to improve the accuracy of trade statistics, facilitate customs clearance for companies operating in emerging technology sectors and provide more targeted policy support for high-value manufacturing, analysts said.