China's Ministry of Commerce has announced that it will apply an additional 55 per cent tariff on beef imports from Australia after the country's quota was reached, according to reports from Xinhua.

The ministry stated that this new tariff will be imposed on top of existing rates. Safeguard measures on imported beef have been in place since January 1, taking the form of country-specific quotas, with extra tariffs applied once these quotas are exceeded.

According to the rules, from the third day after a country's export volume reaches its annual quota, beef imports from that country will face the additional 55 per cent tariff. Australian beef imports hit 100 per cent of the quota on June 18, triggering this new measure.

The commerce ministry, along with the General Administration of Customs, issues reminders when quotas reach 50 per cent and 80 per cent. They also release notices when quota usage reaches 100 per cent to alert exporters of the impending tariffs.