[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]According to an official announcement of China, export license management will be imposed on certain steel products starting next year.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The Ministry of Commerce of China and the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement on Friday (December 12) stating that exporters of around 300 types of steel products must apply for licenses based on export contracts and product quality inspection certificates provided by manufacturers.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The announcement pointed out that in accordance with laws, administrative regulations and rules including the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Import and Export of Goods, and the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Measures for the Administration of Goods Export Licenses, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have decided to adjust the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Catalogue of Goods Subject to Export License Management (2025), among which certain steel products are included in the catalogue.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]According to the catalogue, a total of 300 steel items including non-alloy pig iron, alloy pig iron, and iron products directly reduced from iron ore are subject to export license management.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The announcement stipulates that foreign trade operators exporting the above-mentioned goods shall apply for export licenses on the strength of export contracts of the goods and product quality inspection certificates issued by manufacturers. The Ministry of Commerce, provincial competent commercial departments entrusted by the Ministry of Commerce, and competent commercial departments of some sub-provincial cities shall issue licenses in accordance with their respective responsibilities. Enterprises under the supervision of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council located in Beijing shall apply for export licenses issued by the License Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, while other enterprises shall apply for export licenses issued by the competent commercial departments of the provinces or sub-provincial cities where they are located.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]This announcement shall come into force on January 1, 2026.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The China Iron and Steel Industry Association stated in a post on its official WeChat account on Friday that the inclusion of steel products in the scope of export license management in China is an important measure to guide the standardized export of steel products and further promote the high-quality development of the steel industry, which is conducive to maintaining the global steel supply and demand pattern and trade balance.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]Reuters reported that a day earlier, there were market rumors that Beijing might be planning such a move. At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Commerce of China said that a list of 43 commodities including wheat, corn, coal and crude oil would require export licenses in 2025.

[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]According to an official announcement of China, export license management will be imposed on certain steel products starting next year.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The Ministry of Commerce of China and the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement on Friday (December 12) stating that exporters of around 300 types of steel products must apply for licenses based on export contracts and product quality inspection certificates provided by manufacturers.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The announcement pointed out that in accordance with laws, administrative regulations and rules including the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Import and Export of Goods, and the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Measures for the Administration of Goods Export Licenses, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have decided to adjust the [color=var(--md-box-samantha-deep-text-color) !important]Catalogue of Goods Subject to Export License Management (2025), among which certain steel products are included in the catalogue.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]According to the catalogue, a total of 300 steel items including non-alloy pig iron, alloy pig iron, and iron products directly reduced from iron ore are subject to export license management.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The announcement stipulates that foreign trade operators exporting the above-mentioned goods shall apply for export licenses on the strength of export contracts of the goods and product quality inspection certificates issued by manufacturers. The Ministry of Commerce, provincial competent commercial departments entrusted by the Ministry of Commerce, and competent commercial departments of some sub-provincial cities shall issue licenses in accordance with their respective responsibilities. Enterprises under the supervision of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council located in Beijing shall apply for export licenses issued by the License Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, while other enterprises shall apply for export licenses issued by the competent commercial departments of the provinces or sub-provincial cities where they are located.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]This announcement shall come into force on January 1, 2026.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]The China Iron and Steel Industry Association stated in a post on its official WeChat account on Friday that the inclusion of steel products in the scope of export license management in China is an important measure to guide the standardized export of steel products and further promote the high-quality development of the steel industry, which is conducive to maintaining the global steel supply and demand pattern and trade balance.


[color=var(--md-box-body-color,var(--md-box-global-text-color))]Reuters reported that a day earlier, there were market rumors that Beijing might be planning such a move. At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Commerce of China said that a list of 43 commodities including wheat, corn, coal and crude oil would require export licenses in 2025.