These new tariffs will take effect from February 13, 2026, and remain in place for five years, providing a defined policy horizon for exporters and traders. The final duties are significantly lower than the 21.9%–42.7% provisional tariffs Beijing first announced at the end of 2025, reflecting a moderation of punitive measures amid broader diplomatic engagement and trade negotiations.

The tariffs cover a broad range of dairy categories including fresh and processed cheeses, certain high-fat milk and cream products, and other items within the EU export basket. While targeted, this list affects major dairy exporting nations such as France, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, all of which rely on China as a strategic export market.

For the EU dairy sector, this decision injects uncertainty into global trade flows, as producers recalibrate their China strategies amid tariff headwinds. The initial high provisional duties had already dampened export volumes, and while the final rates are lower, they still raise entry costs and could influence competitive positioning — notably benefiting producers from countries like New Zealand, whose exports enter China duty-free under existing trade frameworks.