China to impose duties of up to 34.9% on EU brandy, starting July 5

4/7/2025 16:14

China's Commerce Ministry issued its final ruling on brandy originating in the European Union on Friday, implementing duties of up to 34.9% for a period of five years starting from July 5, 2025, the ministry said in statement.



Some companies that had made minimum price commitments, including Pernod Ricard-owned Martell Co and Remy Cointreu's Remy Martin, will be spared the higher tariff rate, according to the announcement, unless those commitments were breached.



The ruling follows an investigation into European brandy, most of it cognac from France, first launched last year.



French cognac makers have complained they are collateral damage in a broader trade row between Brussels and Beijing over import tariffs imposed on China-made electric vehicles.



China implemented the duties on cognac following an earlier investigation last year into brandy imports, after the European Union accused Beijing of giving its auto industry unfair subsidies and imposed duties on imports of Chinese-made EVs.