Important Notice Regarding China's Export of Certain Steel Products

Important Notice Regarding China's Export of Certain Steel Products

Starting January 1, 2026, China will implement export license management for certain steel products. Buyers are advised to inquire with suppliers before purchasing goods to confirm their ability to provide export licenses, in order to avoid the inconvenience of purchasing goods that may ultimately be unavailable for export.

Policy Objectives and Background

The resumption of steel export license management after a 16-year hiatus is primarily aimed at addressing issues such as the steel industry's "increased volume without increased revenue," the surge in exports of low value-added products, and increasing international trade frictions. The core objectives of the policy include:

l Strengthening Monitoring: More accurately tracking and monitoring steel product exports.

l Improving Quality: Requiring product quality inspection certificates to guide enterprises to prioritize product quality and promote a shift in exports from "scale expansion" to "value enhancement."

l Regulating Order: Combating long-standing tax evasion practices such as "exporting under false pretenses" and regulating export competition.

l Addressing Friction: Alleviating international trade disputes arising from low-price exports and optimizing the export product structure.

Scope of Steel Products Included: 

The scope of steel products included in the export license management is quite broad, covering almost the entire industrial chain from upstream raw materials to downstream finished products. According to official annexes and industry interpretations, it mainly includes:

l Raw materials and primary products: pig iron, scrap steel, sponge iron, steel powder, etc.

l Intermediate products: steel billets (square billets, slabs, etc.).

l Finished steel products: hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled coils, coated sheets, long products (such as rebar, wire rod), seamless pipes, rails, etc.

The HS codes involved cover Chapter 72 and multiple categories under Chapters 7301-7307.

Please see the detailed list: 纳入出口许可证管理的部分钢铁产品目录(1).xls

Application Procedures and Key Points

Foreign trade operators exporting the above-mentioned goods must apply for an export license according to the following procedures:

Required Documents: An export contract and a product quality inspection certificate issued by the manufacturer are required.

Application Location:

State-owned enterprises under the supervision of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council located in Beijing: Apply to the Licensing Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce.

Other enterprises: Apply to the provincial-level local commerce department or the commerce department of some sub-provincial cities (such as Shenyang, Nanjing, Wuhan, etc.).

Special Requirements: For recycled steel raw materials conforming to specific customs codes, they must comply with the national standard "Recycled Steel Raw Materials" (GB/T 39733-2020).

After a supplier successfully applies, they will receive a certificate (as shown in the picture).

For further questions regarding steel product exports from China, or to request a price quote, please feel free to contact us.

Lora Yang   E-mail: sales02@viputrans.com  SKYPE|WECHAT|WHATSAPP|MOB:+86 13424468029