China to Reinstate Export License Controls on Selected Steel Products


2025

On December 12, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the General Administration of Customs jointly released Announcement No.79 of 2025, confirming that export license administration will be reinstated for selected steel products starting January 1, 2026. This marks the first time in 16 years that steel products are again subject to export licensing, following the abolition of the system in 2009.

The measure is implemented through an adjustment to the Catalogue of Goods Subject to Export License Administration (2025) and applies strictly based on HS codes, rather than product names or declared uses. Exporters whose goods fall within the listed codes will be required to obtain an export license prior to shipment; customs clearance will only be granted upon presentation of a valid license.

Steel Product Categories Covered by the 2025 Export License Catalogue

According to the official catalogue and authoritative interpretations, the steel-related products now subject to export license administration mainly include the following categories:

Steel raw materials and primary products
Such as non-alloy pig iron, recycled steel raw materials, and iron or steel powders, typically positioned at the upstream of the steel supply chain.

Semi-finished steel products
Including slabs, billets, blooms and other semi-finished forms used for further rolling or processing. This category is one of the key focuses of the new control measures.

Finished steel products
Covering hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils, coated and plated steel sheets, certain construction and structural steels, rails, piles and other finished steel materials widely used in infrastructure and manufacturing.

Steel pipes and related products
Including seamless steel pipes, welded steel pipes and certain purpose-specific tubular products, where compliance requirements may vary depending on specifications and declared use.

Overall, the adjusted catalogue spans multiple stages of the steel industry chain, from upstream materials to downstream finished products, involving hundreds of HS codes rather than a limited or symbolic scope.

Practical Implications for Exporters

For products listed in the catalogue, exporters must apply for an export license in advance, submitting genuine and complete documentation such as export contracts and product quality inspection certificates to the competent commerce authorities. Customs will release the shipment only upon verification of the license.

It is also important to note that, in the current regulatory environment, steel containers, pressure vessels, and steel products exported in combination with sensitive or regulated goods are subject to heightened scrutiny in practice. Even where a product is not explicitly listed in the licence catalogue, shipments may still face additional inspection or documentation requests if their declared use raises compliance concerns.

Under the current regulatory environment, the actual inspection standards for steel containers, pressure vessels, and steel products exported as part of specific-purpose goods have been significantly raised.  We recommend that cargo owners assess product attributes, usage descriptions, and destination country risks in advance to avoid delivery delays or trade risks due to insufficient compliance preparation.Han Yue International will continue to monitor the latest policies,providing cargo owners with optimal analysis and transportation solutions to help them maintain stable performance in a complex shipping environment. For the latest information or customized solutions, please contact our customer service.