CHINA will slash import tariffs on many raw materials used in the textile, shoe, apparel and paper industries when new tariff rates come into effect on April 1.
The tariff reductions are designed to ease supply to the growing textile and processing industries which have been hit by severe shortages in the domestic supply markets over the past few years.
Import tariffs for mulberry silkworm cocoons used in the silk industry will fall from 40 per cent to 6 per cent when the new tariffs take effect, according to the latest list of import items published in Thursday's International Business newspaper.
Tariffs on carded animal hair will fall from 30 per cent to 15 per cent and on uncarded hair from 25 per cent to 9 per cent, while raw pig leather tariffs will drop to 12 per cent from 17 per cent.
Tariffs on cotton yarn and cloth will be cut on average by half.
China's cotton crop was hit by bollworm infestations over the last few years and although the crop rebounded slightly last year, shortages still exist.
