Last quarter, the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with the General Administration of Customs, issued a joint announcement to safeguard national security and interests while fulfilling international non-proliferation responsibilities. With the approval of the State Council, stringent export control measures have been imposed on materials related to tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium. Specifically, controlled tungsten-related materials include ammonium paratungstate, tungsten oxides, certain non-controlled tungsten carbides, specific forms of solid tungsten (excluding granules or powders), specific tungsten-nickel-iron or tungsten-nickel-copper alloys, and data and technologies required for producing items under specific codes (1C004, 1C117.c, 1C117.d). All operators exporting these materials must comply with the Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Regulations on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items, applying for and obtaining export permits from the competent commerce authorities of the State Council. This announcement takes effect immediately and updates the Export Control List of Dual-Use Items of the People’s Republic of China.
I. Tungsten-Related Items
-
1C117.d. Tungsten-Related Materials:
-
Ammonium paratungstate (HS Code: 2841801000);
-
Tungsten oxides (HS Codes: 2825901200, 2825901910, 2825901920);
-
Tungsten carbides not controlled under 1C226 (HS Code: 2849902000).
-
-
1C117.c. Solid Tungsten with All of the Following Characteristics:
-
Solid tungsten (excluding granules or powders) with any of the following:
-
Tungsten or tungsten alloys with tungsten content ≥97% by weight, not controlled under 1C226 or 1C241 (HS Codes: 8101940001, 8101991001, 8101999001);
-
Tungsten-copper alloys with tungsten content ≥80% by weight (HS Codes: 8101940001, 8101991001, 8101999001);
-
Tungsten-silver alloys with tungsten content ≥80% and silver content ≥2% by weight (HS Codes: 7106919001, 7106929001);
-
-
Capable of being machined into any of the following:
-
Cylinders with diameter ≥120 mm and length ≥50 mm;
-
Tubes with inner diameter ≥65 mm, wall thickness ≥25 mm, and length ≥50 mm;
-
Blocks with dimensions ≥120 mm × 120 mm × 50 mm.
-
-
-
1C004. Tungsten-Nickel-Iron or Tungsten-Nickel-Copper Alloys with All of the Following Characteristics:
-
Density >17.5 g/cm³;
-
Yield strength >800 MPa;
-
Ultimate tensile strength >1270 MPa;
-
Elongation >8% (HS Codes: 8101940001, 8101991001, 8101999001).
-
-
1E004, 1E101.b. Technologies and Data for producing items under 1C004, 1C117.c, 1C117.d (including process specifications, parameters, and machining programs).
II. Tellurium-Related Items
-
6C002.a. Metallic Tellurium (HS Code: 2804500001).
-
6C002.b. Single or Polycrystalline Tellurium Compound Products (including substrates or epitaxial wafers):
-
Cadmium telluride (HS Codes: 2842902000, 3818009021);
-
Cadmium zinc telluride (HS Codes: 2842909025, 3818009021);
-
Mercury cadmium telluride (HS Codes: 2852100010, 3818009021).
-
-
6E002. Technologies and Data for producing items under 6C002 (including process specifications, parameters, and machining programs).
III. Bismuth-Related Items
-
6C001.a. Metallic Bismuth and Products not controlled under 1C229, including but not limited to ingots, blocks, beads, granules, and powders (HS Codes: 8106101091, 8106101092, 8106101099, 8106109090, 8106901019, 8106901029, 8106901099, 8106909090).
-
6C001.b. Bismuth Germanate (HS Code: 2841900041).
-
6C001.c. Triphenylbismuth (HS Code: 2931900032).
-
6C001.d. Tris(p-ethoxyphenyl)bismuth (HS Code: 2931900032).
-
6E001. Technologies and Data for producing items under 6C001 (including process specifications, parameters, and machining programs).
IV. Molybdenum-Related Items
-
1C117.b. Molybdenum Powder: Molybdenum and alloy particles with molybdenum content ≥97% by weight and particle size ≤50×10⁻⁶ m (50 μm), used for manufacturing missile components (HS Code: 8102100001).
-
1E101.b. Technologies and Data for producing items under 1C117.b (including process specifications, parameters, and machining programs).
V. Indium-Related Items
-
3C004.a. Indium Phosphide (HS Code: 2853904051).
-
3C004.b. Trimethylindium (HS Code: 2931900032).
-
3C004.c. Triethylindium (HS Code: 2931900032).
-
3E004. Technologies and Data for producing items under 3C004 (including process specifications, parameters, and machining programs).
Tungsten Export Controls Are Not a Complete Ban
Tungsten export controls do not imply a total export ban but involve standardized management measures for specific tungsten-related items. Exporters of these items must apply for permits from the competent commerce authorities of the State Council in accordance with the Export Control Law and the Regulations on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items. Exports are allowed only upon compliance and approval.
Potential Impact on the Domestic Market
According to data from the Tungsten-Molybdenum Cloud Commerce Platform, exports of ammonium paratungstate (APT), tungsten trioxide, and tungsten carbide account for a notable share of total tungsten exports:
-
APT exports in 2023 and 2024 were approximately 803 tons and 782 tons, respectively, each accounting for about 4% of total tungsten exports.
-
Tungsten trioxide exports were about 2,699 tons in 2023 and 3,190 tons in 2024, increasing from 14% to 17% of total exports.
-
Tungsten carbide exports were about 4,433 tons in 2023 and 4,147 tons in 2024, maintaining a share of about 22%.
The implementation of tungsten export controls will subject these items to stricter oversight and approval processes, potentially affecting some exporters’ operations. However, given the relatively limited share of these controlled items in total tungsten exports, the overall impact on the domestic tungsten market’s supply-demand dynamics and price trends is expected to be minimal. This policy may also encourage enterprises to focus on technological innovation and product quality to better meet domestic and international market demands.
Strategic Importance of Tungsten
Tungsten’s high melting point, hardness, conductivity, and corrosion resistance make it indispensable in global industries. In steel production, tungsten enhances strength, toughness, and wear resistance, widely used in machinery and construction. In electronics, it is a key material for components, integrated circuit leads, and traditional filaments. In aerospace, tungsten alloys are critical for engine blades and rocket nozzles, supporting space exploration. Militarily, tungsten alloys are vital for armor-piercing projectiles, missile components, and armor, directly impacting national defense capabilities. Ensuring a stable domestic tungsten supply is crucial for national security.
Short- and Long-Term Impacts
In the short term, export controls will reduce China’s tungsten supply to global markets, potentially disrupting long-standing supply-demand balances and driving international tungsten prices upward due to rigid downstream demand. In the long term, these controls will spur industrial upgrades, encouraging R&D investments, efficient resource utilization, and development of high-value products to enhance China’s influence in the tungsten industry.
Global Tungsten Statistics
According to the USGS, global tungsten reserves in 2023 were approximately 4.4 million tons, up 15.79% year-on-year, with China accounting for 52.27% (2.3 million tons). Global tungsten production was 78,000 tons, down 2.26%, with China contributing 80.77% (63,000 tons). Chinese customs data show diverse tungsten exports, including tungsten ores, tungstic acid, tungsten trioxide, tungsten carbides, and various tungsten products. In 2024, China exported 782.41 tons of APT (down 2.53%, 4.06% of total exports), 3,189.96 tons of tungsten trioxide (up 18.19%, 16.55% of total exports), and 4,146.76 tons of tungsten carbide (down 6.46%, 21.52% of total exports).
CHENGDU HUAXIN CEMENTED CARBIDE CO.,LTD are a professional supplier and manufacturer of tungsten carbide products, such as carbide insert knives for woodworking,carbide circular knives for tobacco&cigarette filter rods slitting,round knives for corugatted cardboard slitting ,three hole razor blades/slotted blades for packaging ,tape,thin film cutting,fiber cutter blades for textile industry etc.
With over 25 years development, our products have been exported to U. S. A, Russia, South America,India,Turkey,Pakistan,Australia,Southeast Asia etc. With excellent quality and competitive prices, Our hard working attitude and responsiveness are approved by our customers. And we would like to establish new business relationships with new customers.
Contact us today and you will enjoy benefits of good quality and services from our products!
Post time: Jun-04-2025
