China imposes export controls on seven medium and heavy rare earth categories
China said it will impose export controls, effective immediately, on selected medium and heavy rare earth items, requiring exporters to obtain licenses for a broad range of metals, alloys, oxides, compounds and magnet materials.
BEIJING, April 4, 2025 — China’s Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs announced export controls on some medium and heavy rare earth-related items, saying the move is aimed at safeguarding national security and interests and fulfilling international obligations, including nonproliferation. The measures took effect on the date of issuance, April 4, 2025.
The announcement covers seven categories of rare earth elements and related products: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium. The controls apply across a wide range of forms, including metals, alloys, targets, oxides, compounds, mixtures and, in some cases, permanent magnet materials.
Among the specifically listed products are samarium-cobalt permanent magnet materials, terbium-containing NdFeB permanent magnet materials and dysprosium-containing NdFeB permanent magnet materials, alongside numerous oxides and compound mixtures tied to the seven elements.
Under the announcement, exporters must apply for licenses from the competent commercial authority of the State Council in line with China’s Export Control Law and dual-use item regulations. Exporters also must identify controlled goods in customs declarations and state the relevant dual-use item control number. Customs may hold shipments during any questioning over declared information.
China’s Export Control List of Dual-Use Items has been updated accordingly.
Regulatory Actions
Structured data extracted from official sources and validated by sanctions experts