Effective January 1, 2026, China's steel industry faces a major policy shift—the reintroduction of export license management for certain steel products after a 16-year hiatus. Jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs (Announcement No. 79, 2025), this policy covers 300 customs HS codes, spanning from raw materials to finished products. As a professional steel supplier, Wuxi Sylaith Special Steel Co., Ltd provides you with an interpretation of this new policy, helping you navigate international trade compliance and efficiency.

Effective January 1, 2026, 300 customs HS codes of steel products are included in the export license management catalog, covering:

• Raw Materials & Primary Products: Non-alloy pig iron, recycled steel raw materials, iron powder, etc.

• Intermediate Products: Rectangular section steel billets, continuous casting slabs, etc.

• Finished Steel Products: Hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled coils, coated products, etc.

Exporters must provide the following materials to apply for an export license:

1. Export contract (stamped by Chinese party, signed by foreign party)

2. Product quality inspection certificate issued by the manufacturer

The Ministry of Commerce and authorized provincial commerce departments are responsible for license issuance.

In the first 11 months of 2025, China's steel exports reached 107.7 million tons, up 6.7% year-on-year. However, average export prices fell 10.3%, while low-value-added primary products (like billets) surged to three times last year's volume with prices down 15.3% .

Since 2024, China's steel industry has faced over 50 anti-dumping cases, with Vietnam, India, Korea, and Indonesia imposing duties on Chinese steel products. Export license management helps regulate export order and address trade frictions.

The year 2025 marks the first time China’s steel industry has been included in the national carbon emissions trading market. Meanwhile, 2026 will see the official implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which imposes carbon tariffs on imported goods. The new policy will prioritize quality control, guiding enterprises to reduce the export of high-energy consumption and low-value-added products, and accelerating the green transformation.

• Increased compliance costs: Application processes and stricter quality certificates may put pressure on SMEs

• Short-term export volume pressure: Low-value-added exports expected to decline sharply, but MOFCOM clarifies: No restrictions on export volume or business qualifications

• Optimized export structure: Shifts industry from scale expansion to quality development, promoting high-end, green products

• Regulated export order: Reduces disorderly low-end exports, creating fair competition

• Reduced trade frictions: Standardized trade practices lower anti-dumping risks

Wuxi Sylaith Special Steel Co., Ltd believes this policy will drive China's steel industry from an "export giant" to an "export powerhouse," with high-quality, high-value-added products becoming mainstream.

• Review the controlled product catalog

• Prepare export contracts (stamped by Chinese party, signed by foreign party)

• Obtain quality inspection certificates from manufacturers

Enterprises must first apply for an electronic key via the Ministry of Commerce's unified platform to submit license applications online.

Increase R&D investment in high-end products (bearing steel, gear steel, high-temperature alloys) and green steel (certified through full lifecycle carbon accounting).

Reduce dependence on traditional markets and actively develop African, Latin American, and other emerging markets.

A: No. MOFCOM explicitly states this policy does not restrict export volume or business qualifications; its main purpose is to enhance export monitoring and quality management.

A: 300 customs HS codes are covered, including billets, hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled coils, and coated products. Check the "Export License Management Goods Catalog (2025)" for confirmation.

A: No fixed format. Certificates can be issued by manufacturers in their own format, stamped with quality inspection or company seals. Manufacturer information must match application materials.

A:

• Processing trade, compensation trade: Non-one-license-one-shipment—multiple clearances within validity period (max 12 times)

• Other trade modes: One-license-one-shipment—must be used within validity period for one customs declaration

A: Since December 17, 2025, enterprises can apply in advance for 2026 export licenses, usable from January 1, 2026 .

The 2026 steel export license management policy marks a crucial step in China's steel industry's journey toward high-quality development. Wuxi Sylaith Special Steel Co., Ltd will continue monitoring policy developments, providing compliant, efficient, and professional steel export services. Contact us to check if your products are covered or for export license application assistance!