China will implement export licensing for most steel products from January 1, aiming to manage rising shipments and trade tensions.
China will implement export licensing for nearly all steel products starting January 1, 2025, as reported by Caixin. This measure aims to control the increasing overseas shipments that have led to trade disputes and heightened international scrutiny.
The Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs announced that the new licensing regime will apply to most steel-related exports, including crude iron, billets, coils, plates, pipes, and scrap. Only a limited number of finished goods, such as fasteners and household appliances, will be exempt from this requirement.
In the first 10 months of 2025, China exported 97.7 million tons of steel, marking a 6.6 percent increase compared to the previous year. However, the average export prices fell by 8.7 percent to $695.4 per ton, reflecting an influx of cheaper cargoes.
Officials stated that the licensing system is designed to curb illicit exports that evade domestic taxes and to alleviate tensions with trade partners. Several countries have intensified antidumping actions against Chinese steel, citing concerns over unfair competition.
