China Rare Earth Export Controls Tracker 2026
MOFCOM rare earth and strategic metal export-control timeline 2023–2026: announcement numbers, effective dates, affected elements, and current status.
Active Controls by Element
Status reflects whether export licences are currently required (active), whether controls are paused under a suspension order (suspended), or whether no Chinese export-control regime currently applies (none). Click any symbol to see the element's full price page.
Sc Scandium
Active
Export licence required
Used in aluminum-scandium alloys for aerospace.
Ga Gallium
Active
Export licence required
Essential for GaAs and GaN semiconductors.
Ge Germanium
Active
Export licence required
Used in fiber optics, infrared optics, and semiconductors.
Y Yttrium
Active
Export licence required
Used in ceramics, phosphors, and superconductors.
Mo Molybdenum
Active
Export licence required
Key alloying element in high-strength steels and superalloys.
In Indium
Active
Export licence required
Critical for ITO coatings in displays and touchscreens.
Sb Antimony
Active
Export licence required
Used in flame retardants, lead-acid batteries, and ammunition.
Te Tellurium
Active
Export licence required
Critical for CdTe thin-film solar cells (~60% of demand) and Bi₂Te₃ thermoelectrics (~20%). Under active Chinese dual-use export control (Announcement...
Sm Samarium
Active
Export licence required
Key component of SmCo permanent magnets.
Eu Europium
Suspended
Licence regime paused under suspension order
Used in phosphors for displays and lighting.
Gd Gadolinium
Active
Export licence required
Used in MRI contrast agents and nuclear reactor shielding.
Tb Terbium
Active
Export licence required
Critical for NdFeB magnet coercivity at high temperatures. Three-tier pricing: CN domestic, FOB China, Western retail.
Dy Dysprosium
Active
Export licence required
Essential additive for high-temperature NdFeB magnets.
Ho Holmium
Suspended
Licence regime paused under suspension order
Highest magnetic moment of any element. Critical for medical lasers; emerged as Dy/Tb substitute in permanent magnets after April 2025...
Er Erbium
Suspended
Licence regime paused under suspension order
Used in fiber optic amplifiers and glass colorant.
Tm Thulium
Suspended
Licence regime paused under suspension order
Surgical lasers, S-band telecom amplifiers, portable X-ray sources. Regulated under China's 2025 export controls with current licence suspension.
Yb Ytterbium
Suspended
Licence regime paused under suspension order
Used in fiber lasers, metallurgy, and atomic clocks.
Lu Lutetium
Active
Export licence required
Rarest naturally occurring lanthanide (~10 t/yr separated oxide). Underpins $2.1B Lu-177 radiopharmaceutical market (Novartis Pluvicto + Lutathera) and every modern...
W Tungsten
Active
Export licence required
Highest melting point of all metals; used in cutting tools and armor.
Bi Bismuth
Active
Export licence required
Lead-free solder alternative; used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
MOFCOM Announcement Timeline
All published Chinese export-control announcements affecting rare earth elements, strategic metals, and semiconductor materials. Sourced from MOFCOM, the General Administration of Customs (GAC), and State Council publications.
2026-02-24
sanction
CN
China sanctions 15 Japanese defence entities
MOFCOM designates 15 Japanese companies as "unreliable entities," prohibiting export of controlled items (including all dual-use minerals). Retaliation for Japan's January 2026 prohibition order.
MOFCOM Announcement No. 17 of 2026 — 商务部公告2026年第17号, effective 24 Feb 2026
2026-01-06
export ban
CN
Japan prohibited from receiving Chinese dual-use exports
China prohibits dual-use exports to Japan, citing Japan's restrictions on semiconductor equipment to China. First country-wide prohibition order since the US ban in Dec 2024.
MOFCOM Announcement No. 1 of 2026 — 商务部公告2026年第1号, effective 6 Jan 2026
2025-11-09
suspension
CN
China suspends October 2025 escalation measures until November 2026
MOFCOM suspends all six October 2025 announcements plus the Ga/Ge/Sb US-specific ban (Art. 2, No. 46/2024). Suspension runs until 28 November 2026. Underlying licence requirements remain.
MOFCOM Announcements No. 70 and No. 72 of 2025 — 商务部公告2025年第70号 and 第72号, effective 7–9 Nov 2025
2025-10-09
export control
CN
China escalates: six announcements tighten controls and ban US exports
Six simultaneous announcements (Nos. 55–58, 61, 62) suspend pending licence applications, halt new applications for US-destined shipments, add end-user verification, and expand controlled item scope. Article 2 of No. 46/2024 (Ga/Ge/Sb US ban) reactivated. Subsequently suspended by Nos. 70 and 72 of 2025.
MOFCOM Announcements Nos. 55–58, 61, 62 of 2025 — 商务部公告2025年第55–58号、第61–62号, effective 9 Oct 2025; later suspended
2025-04-04
export control
CN
China imposes export controls on seven medium and heavy rare earths
Export licences required for samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium — covering metals, alloys, oxides, compounds, and permanent magnet materials. Targets the materials most critical for NdFeB magnets and defence.
MOFCOM/GAC Announcement No. 18 of 2025 — 商务部 海关总署公告2025年第18号, effective 4 Apr 2025
2025-02-04
export control
CN
China extends export controls to tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium
All five metals require export licences. Tellurium controls are notable as Te is critical for CdTe thin-film solar (~60% of demand) and is a byproduct of copper refining with inelastic supply.
MOFCOM/GAC Announcement No. 10 of 2025 — 商务部 海关总署公告2025年第10号, effective 4 Feb 2025
2024-12-03
export ban
CN
China bans gallium, germanium, and antimony exports to the United States
Article 1 prohibits Ga/Ge/Sb exports to any US military end-user; Article 2 imposes a blanket ban on all Ga/Ge/Sb exports to the US. Art. 1 remains active; Art. 2 was suspended in Nov 2025 until Nov 2026.
MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024 — 商务部公告2024年第46号, effective 3 Dec 2024
2024-10-01
regulation
CN
Rare Earth Management Regulations enter into force
State Council Order No. 785 establishes a comprehensive framework for rare earth mining, smelting, separation, and circulation. Codifies production quotas, traceability, and strategic reserve management.
State Council Order No. 785 — 稀土管理条例, promulgated 25 Jun 2024, effective 1 Oct 2024
2024-08-15
export control
CN
China restricts antimony exports
Export controls imposed on antimony and related items, effective 15 September 2024. Sb price rose from ~$12,000/t to >$38,000/t within six months of announcement.
MOFCOM/GAC Announcement No. 33 of 2024 — 商务部 海关总署公告2024年第33号, effective 15 Sep 2024
2024-05-23
regulation
EU
EU Critical Raw Materials Act enters into force
Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 sets benchmarks for domestic extraction (10%), processing (40%), and recycling (25%) of critical raw materials including rare earths, gallium, and germanium by 2030.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 — OJ L, 2024/1252, 3 May 2024; entered into force 23 May 2024
2023-07-03
export control
CN
China imposes first export controls on gallium and germanium
Export licence requirements for gallium and germanium products, effective 1 August 2023. First targeted critical-mineral export controls; widely interpreted as a response to US semiconductor restrictions.
MOFCOM/GAC Announcement No. 23 of 2023 — 商务部 海关总署公告2023年第23号, effective 1 Aug 2023