🚨 China to Implement Export License Control on Certain Steel Products from 2026

• The Chinese government plans to strengthen export controls on steel products

• From January 1, 2026, export licenses will be mandatory for certain steel products

• Companies engaged in trade involving steel products originating from China are required to conduct advance checks

🔎 Key Summary

• Implementing authority: Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM)

• Effective date: Applies to shipments cleared by customs on or after January 1, 2026

• Covered products

  • Steel products such as pig iron, alloy steel, and steel rails

  • Approximately 300 items (based on 10-digit HS codes)

• Control method: Export license control system applied, mandatory submission of export license required

• Official announcement link
  https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/zwgk/zcfb/art/2025/art_045b556ed8da4978af8eb5c162b65b61.html

📄 Overview of the Export License

• The export license is an official permit issued by the Chinese government for key controlled items

• Operated to ensure stable development of China’s economy and industrial sectors

• Issued after comprehensive review of the following

  • Business qualifications of manufacturers and exporters

  • Export volumes

  • Product quality

  • Compliance with relevant laws and regulatory procedures

• Legal basis

  • Foreign Trade Law

  • Regulations on the Administration of Import and Export of Goods

  • Annual “List of Goods Subject to Export License Administration”

• Products listed under the control list cannot be exported without an export license

🏗️ Required Documents for Exporting Steel Products

• For steel products specified in the appendix of the announcement, the following documents must be submitted

  • Export contract

  • Product Quality Inspection Certificate issued by the manufacturer

• Submitting authorities

  • Ministry of Commerce of China

  • Or provincial / vice-provincial commerce authorities authorized by MOFCOM

• Export customs clearance is allowed only after the export license has been issued

⏰ Application Criteria by Customs Clearance Date

• By December 31, 2025

  • Export declaration and customs clearance completed

  • Export license not required

• Declared on December 31, 2025 / Cleared in January 2026

  • Declared in 2025 but clearance deferred to 2026

  • Possibility of post-submission of export license

• Cleared on or after January 1, 2026

  • Export license mandatory