Prices of railway bulk cargo, parcels and privately funded cargo and passenger fares will also be allowed to float. Hitherto, they have been set by the government, but lag far behind road and water rates, which has impeded rail sector development, said Shanghai's Tongji University professor Sun Zhang.

Prices of domestic air cargo will be freed, as well as prices of passenger transport of some airlines.

China Air Transport Association deputy chief Wu Tongshui said the move will help activate the market, attract more private investment and enhance the competitive edges of carriers.

Limits will be removed on port service fees, including fees on container loading, ship rubbish treatment and water supply.

The market will decide the price of tobacco leaves, the last agricultural product to be freed from government price control, but a minimum price will be set to protect farmers, said the NDRC website.

Limits will be removed on factory prices of explosives for civil use.