Three Ministries Issue Import Tax Incentive Policy to Support Scientific and Technological Innovation During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period

On February 13, 2026, to further implement the strategy of invigorating China through science and education and the innovation-driven development strategy, and to support scientific and technological innovation, the Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Taxation Administration recently issued the Circular on Import Tax Incentives to Support Scientific and Technological Innovation During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (the “Circular”).

The Circular specifies that, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030, eligible scientific research institutions, technology development institutions, schools, Party schools (academies of governance), and libraries shall be exempt from import duties, import value-added tax, and consumption tax on scientific research, technological development, and teaching supplies that cannot be produced domestically or whose performance cannot meet operational needs.

In addition, eligible publication import entities importing books and materials for scientific research and teaching purposes for the above-mentioned institutions and entities shall be exempt from import value-added tax.

At the same time, the State Taxation Administration and eleven other ministries and commissions jointly issued a supporting document, the Circular on the Administrative Measures for Import Tax Incentives to Support Scientific and Technological Innovation During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period, to further clarify the scope of eligible beneficiaries.