According to Announcement No. 79 [2025] issued by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China together with the General Administration of Customs, new regulations introducing export license requirements for selected steel products will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
Under the new regulations, exporters of the specified steel products will be required to obtain an official export license prior to shipment.
The licensing requirement applies to hundreds of steel product HS codes across the entire steel value chain, ranging from raw materials to finished products.
Foreign trade operators exporting the covered steel products will be required to apply for an export license and submit, among others, the following documents:
- A valid export contract
- A product quality inspection certificate issued by the manufacturer
Exporters and importers of steel products from China should be aware that these changes may impact documentation requirements, processing times, and shipment planning, as exports will be subject to increased administrative control and compliance checks prior to customs clearance.
ICL Global is closely monitoring the implementation of these regulations and is available to support customers with regulatory guidance, compliance considerations, and operational planning to help ensure smooth cargo movement.
For further information, please refer to the official announcement published by the Ministry of Commerce of China:
https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/zcfb/blgg/art/2025/art_62805d75dd4646c8912cd32c2ecf6b4d.html
ICL Global teams remain at your disposal for any clarifications, details, or assistance regarding these new requirements.
ICL Global
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