Temporary tariffs on 110 export categories of products which are energy-guzzling or resource-intensive have been hailed by experts as a major step towards optimizing the national energy structure.

The regulation, which was issued over the weekend and takes effect tomorrow, will also help curb the country's soaring trade surplus, the Ministry of Finance said.

Among the goods which will attract the temporary export tax are:

5 per cent on oil, coal, coke and crude oil.

10 per cent on non-ferrous metals, various types of minerals such as apatite and rare earth minerals as well as iron alloy, raw iron, steel billets and 27 other iron and steel products.

Wooden flooring, disposable chopsticks and 19 other goods will be taxed at the same rate.
15 per cent on copper, nickel and other metallurgical products.

"It is a very positive move, which is designed to enhance energy efficiency, optimize the national energy structure and rationalize energy- and resource-intense sectors," Zhou Dadi, director of the Energy Research Institute affiliated to the National Development and Reform Commission, told China Daily.

Meanwhile, import taxes on 58 categories of commodities will be reduced.

Rates on 26 energy and resource products, such as oil, coal and alumina, will be cut from 3-6 per cent to 0-3 per cent.

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