China has slapped a 55 per cent tariff on all Australian beef exports for the rest of the year.

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) confirmed from Chinese authorities that Australia had reached 100 per cent of its 2026 imported beef quota in just six months.

'Hitting 100 per cent of the quota is a major and consequential milestone, with immediate impacts for Australian exporters,' AMIC CEO Tim Ryan said. 

Mr Ryan said the quota attached to Aussie beef exports was simply too low for demand, and added Australia made up just 8 per cent of China's beef imports.

The tariff will come into affect at midnight on Friday.  

'A tariff of this scale will severely disrupt trade flows into one of our most important markets, and impact the ability for Chinese consumers to access safe, reliable Australian beef,' Mr Ryan said.

'The combination of external trade barriers and rising domestic costs means 2026 is an exceptionally challenging year for the sector.'

China introduced the quota in January, this year.

It comes as the US plans to impose a 12.5 per cent tariff on Australian exports.

Under the proposal, a 10 per cent temporary tariff imposed in February on Australian goods would increase to 12.5 per cent from July 24. 

Beef and gold from Australia will maintain their existing exemptions from US tariffs, Daily Mail understands.

The proposed tariff would increase the cost of Australian goods in the US, making them more expensive for American consumers and importers.