New Chinese steel export policy in 2026

I. Policy Core and Scope

Publication and Effectiveness: Published on December 12, 2025, effective January 1, 2026.

Coverage: 300 10-digit customs codes, covering the entire chain from raw materials (non-alloy pig iron, recycled steel raw materials), intermediate products (steel billets, continuously cast billets), to finished products (hot-rolled/cold-rolled/coated coils, pipes, profiles, etc.); recycled steel raw materials must comply with GB/T 39733-2020.

Management Objectives: Strengthen export monitoring and quality tracking, guide the industry from “scale expansion” to “value enhancement,” curb disorderly exports of low value-added products, and promote the green transformation of the industry.

Key Boundaries: Comply with WTO rules, do not impose export quantity restrictions, do not add new barriers to business qualifications, and only strengthen quality and compliance management. II. Key Points of License Application and Management

Steps | Core Requirements

Application Materials
1. Export contract (verifies trade authenticity)

2. Product quality inspection certificate issued by the manufacturer (pre-qualification quality control)

3. Other materials required by the visa issuing agency

Issuance and Validity
Tiered issuance, validity period of 6 months, cannot be carried over to the next year; licenses for the following year can be applied for from December 10th of the current year.

Customs Clearance Process
An export license must be submitted at the time of customs declaration; customs will release the goods after verification; failure to obtain a license or incomplete materials will affect customs clearance efficiency.

Consequences of Violation
Exporting without a license/with false materials will face administrative penalties, affecting credit and subsequent export qualifications.

III. Enterprise Compliance and Response Recommendations

List Verification: Check against the 300 customs codes in the announcement appendix to ensure that your export products are listed, paying particular attention to the standard requirements for special categories such as recycled steel raw materials.

Quality System Upgrade: Improve quality inspection throughout the entire production process to ensure the authenticity and traceability of factory certificates; connect with third-party certification bodies to enhance international recognition.

Contract and Document Standardization: Clearly define quality clauses and inspection standards in contracts, and prepare compliant quality inspection certificates in advance to avoid delays in certificate issuance due to missing materials.

Export Structure Optimization: Reduce exports of low value-added, high-energy-consuming products, and increase R&D and promotion of high value-added products (such as alloy structural steel and special steel pipes) to reduce compliance cost pressures.

Compliance Training: Organize training for customs declaration, quality inspection, and business teams on new policies to ensure smooth process integration; communicate with visa agencies in advance to familiarize themselves with local processing details.

IV. Impact on Export Business
Short-term: Increased compliance costs may lead to a contraction in exports of low value-added products, forcing companies to adjust their pricing and order structures.

Long-term: Improve the quality of exported products and international reputation, alleviate trade frictions, promote the industry’s transformation towards high-quality development, and improve corporate profit structure.

References: 18 documents