In a significant move to advance scientific literacy, China has unveiled comprehensive import tax incentives for science popularization institutions during its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). The joint policy initiative, announced by the Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs, and State Taxation Administration, eliminates import tariffs and value-added taxes on critical educational materials and equipment that cannot be domestically produced or meet performance standards.
The policy framework, effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030, specifically targets science and technology museums, natural history museums, and similar institutions dedicated to public science education. Qualified organizations will benefit from exemptions covering imported popularization films, educational videos, and specialized equipment that either lacks domestic manufacturing capabilities or where domestic alternatives fail to achieve necessary performance benchmarks.
This strategic fiscal measure represents China’s commitment to enhancing public engagement with scientific concepts through improved access to international educational resources. By reducing financial barriers to high-quality science communication tools, the initiative aims to foster a more scientifically literate society and support national innovation goals. The tax incentives are expected to significantly lower operational costs for science centers while enabling them to acquire advanced demonstration equipment and multimedia materials from global markets.
The policy implementation follows careful coordination between multiple government agencies and reflects China’s broader strategy to strengthen its science education infrastructure during a critical period of technological development and international competition in innovation.