A+ Metals Watch
China's export controls on critical metals: where things stand
As of 26 October 2026, China requires an export licence for antimony, gallium, germanium, graphite, tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, indium and several rare earths, for every destination. None of these licences is a ban aimed at Europe. Two deadlines fall in November 2026: 10 November and 27 November.
Last verified: 26 October 2026 · Request a quotation
The two deadlines of November 2026
10 November 2026
end of the suspension of Announcements No. 55 to 58, 61 and 62 of 2025 (the rare earth package of 9 October 2025), suspended by Announcement No. 70 of 2025.
27 November 2026
end of the suspension of the ban on exporting gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the United States (Announcement No. 46 of 2024), suspended on 9 November 2025 by Announcement No. 72 of 2025.
Tracker
| Material | Measure | In force since | MOFCOM announcement | Status on 26 October 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallium, germanium | Export licence required, all destinations | 1 August 2023 | No. 23 of 2023 | In force | link |
| Graphite | Export licence required, all destinations | 1 December 2023 | number not confirmed | In force | link |
| Antimony and related items (17 customs codes) | Export licence required, all destinations | 15 September 2024 | No. 33 of 2024 | In force | link |
| Antimony, gallium, germanium, superhard materials | Ban on exports to the United States (dual-use items) | 3 December 2024 | No. 46 of 2024 | Suspended until 27 November 2026 (Announcement No. 72 of 2025) | link |
| Tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, indium | Export licence required, all destinations | 4 February 2025 | No. 10 of 2025 | In force | link |
| Medium and heavy rare earths (samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, yttrium) | Export licence required, all destinations | April 2025 | No. 18 of 2025 | In force | link |
| Package of 9 October 2025 (extended rare earths, superhard materials, lithium batteries, anode graphite) | Additional licences and controls | 9 October 2025 | No. 55 to 58, 61 and 62 of 2025 | Suspended until 10 November 2026 (Announcement No. 70 of 2025) | link |
Last verified: 26 October 2026. Each row links to its source. Where an announcement number could not be confirmed, it is left blank.
What this changes for a European buyer
- A licence is not a ban, but it is a delay, and a delay that can turn into a refusal. For a manufacturer running a production line, that is the same thing as a shortage.
- Reported delays run from a few weeks to around three months depending on the material and the period. A supply plan with only a Chinese source has no slack.
- Origin is demonstrated by documents, not by the invoicing country. A metal invoiced from a third country can still be of Chinese origin, and origin is what European customs and your own risk analysis look at.
- The answer is well known: a second source outside China, qualified in advance on a sample, even if you only buy a small share of your volumes there. It is qualified before you need it, not during.
Buyer questions
Does China ban exports of these metals to Europe?
No. For Europe these are export licences, not bans. The Chinese exporter must obtain an authorisation from the Ministry of Commerce before each shipment. The only ban targeted the United States, and it is suspended until 27 November 2026.
What happens on 10 November 2026?
That is the end of the suspension of the package of 9 October 2025 (extended rare earths, superhard materials, lithium batteries, anode graphite). If China does not extend it, those controls apply again.
What happens on 27 November 2026?
That is the end of the suspension of the ban on exporting gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the United States. Licences remain required in every case.
How long does a Chinese export licence take?
Buyers report delays from a few weeks to around three months, varying by material and by period. A licence can also be refused. That is the main risk for a manufacturer depending on a single source.
How do I know whether my supplier is affected?
Look at the customs code of the product and at the country it actually ships from, not only the invoicing country. A metal shipped from a third country can still be of Chinese origin, and origin is what European customs looks at.
Are there sources outside China?
Yes, for several of these metals. For antimony, tin and copper, A+ Express Metals supplies European manufacturers from Thailand, with a certificate of origin and an independent assay on every lot.
Which documents should I ask a non-Chinese supplier for?
The official certificate of origin, the lot assay certificate, the name and city of the producing plant, and an independent inspector's report at loading. Without those four, origin is not demonstrated.
Is this page up to date?
It shows its last verification date at the top and at the bottom. Every row of the table links to its source. The two November 2026 deadlines will be updated on the day China decides.
Sources
- Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM)
- International Energy Agency, gallium and germanium announcement
- Global Trade Alert, antimony measures
- CNBC, suspension of 9 November 2025
- Fastmarkets, suspension on superhard materials
- Swedish Institute of International Affairs, China's mineral export restrictions
Go further
A+ Express Metals: antimony, tin and copper delivered to your plant