China expands export controls on rare earths, battery materials, and related technologies
Date of publication: October 10, 2025
Overview
China has expanded its export control regime to cover a broader scope of strategic materials and technologies. The latest measures target:
- Lithium battery and graphite anode materials
- Rare earth-containing products and technologies
- Technical know-how related to rare earth processing
Key measures
Effective date: November 8, 2025.
Newly controlled items include:
- High-energy lithium-ion batteries(≥ 300 Wh/kg)
- Cathode materials: LFP, NCM precursors
- Graphite anode materials: artificial, hybrid types
- Production equipmentfor battery and graphite materials
Exporters are required to acquire export licenses from the China MOFCOM prior to exports.
Effective date: October 9, 2025; With specific rules phased in December 1, 2025.
Export License is required:
- Products manufactured overseas containing≥ 0.1% Chinese-origin rare earthsby value per usable unit
- Products made using Chinese rare earth technologies, specifically mining, refining, smelting, magnet production, and recycling technologies
- Re-exports of controlled items to third countries
Licensing will be DENIED for the purposes below:
- Entities on theexport control listorwatch list(including subsidiaries with ≥ 50% control).
- Weapons of mass destruction or delivery systems.
- Terrorist activities.
- Military enhancement.
Case by case approval for:
- Advanced semiconductor R&D(logic chips ≤ 14nm, memory chips ≥ 256 layers).
3. Rare earth technologies (announcement No. 62)
Effective date: October 9, 2025.
Export licenses are required for:
- Technologies related tomining, smelting, separation, and magnet production
- Technical services such asassembly, commissioning, maintenance, and upgrades
- Any form of transfer or provisionof those items toforeign individuals or organizations, whether inside or outside China
Consolidated controlled items list – MOFCOM announcement No. 58 (2025)
Category | ECN | Item Description | Reference Customs Code(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
Lithium Batteries | 3A001 | Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries ≥300 Wh/kg (cells & packs) | 85076000 |
— | 3B901.a.1 | Winding machine for lithium battery production | 84798999 |
— | 3B901.a.2 | Stacking machine | 84798999 |
— | 3B901.a.3 | Electrolyte filling machine | 84798999 |
— | 3B901.a.4 | Hot press machine | — |
— | 3B901.a.5 | Formation and grading system | — |
— | 3B901.a.6 | Grading cabinet | — |
— | 3E901.a | Technology for producing 3A001 lithium batteries | — |
Cathode Materials | 3C901.a.1 | LFP cathode materials ≥2.5 g/cm³ density & ≥156 mAh/g capacity | 28429040 |
— | 3C901.a.2.a | Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese hydroxide precursor | 28539030 |
— | 3C901.a.2.b | Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum hydroxide precursor | 28539050 |
— | 3C901.a.3 | Lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials | — |
— | 3B901.b.1 | Roller kiln for cathode material production | — |
— | 3B901.b.2 | High-speed mixer | — |
— | 3B901.b.3 | Sand mill | — |
— | 3B901.b.4 | Jet mill | — |
Graphite Anodes | 3C901.b.1 | Artificial graphite anode materials | — |
— | 3C902.b.2 | Mixed artificial and natural graphite anode materials | — |
— | 3B901.c.1.a | Vertical granulation kettle ≥5 m³ | — |
— | 3B901.c.1.b | Continuous granulation kettle ≥5 m³ | — |
— | 3B901.c.2.a | Box furnace for graphitization | — |
— | 3B901.c.2.b | Acheson furnace | — |
— | 3B901.c.2.c | Internal string furnace | — |
— | 3B901.c.2.d | Continuous graphitization furnace | — |
— | 3B901.c.3.a | Fusion coating equipment ≥300 L | — |
— | 3B901.c.3.b | Spray drying equipment ≥60 m³ | — |
— | 3B901.c.3.c | CVD rotary kiln with drum diameter ≥0.5 m | — |
— | 3E901.b.1 | Granulation process technology | — |
— | 3E901.b.2 | Continuous graphitization technology | — |
— | 3E901.b.3 | Liquid-phase coating technology | — |
Controlled technologies – MOFCOM announcement No. 61 (2025)
Category | Element | Item Description |
|---|---|---|
Source Material | Samarium | 金属钐 (Samarium metal) |
Source Material | Dysprosium | 金属镝 (Dysprosium metal) |
Source Material | Gadolinium | 金属钆 (Gadolinium metal) |
Source Material | Terbium | 金属铽 (Terbium metal) |
Source Material | Lutetium | 金属镥 (Lutetium metal) |
Source Material | Scandium | 金属钪 (Scandium metal) |
Source Material | Yttrium | 金属钇 (Yttrium metal) |
Source Material | Samarium-Cobalt | 钐钴合金 (Samarium-Cobalt alloy) |
Source Material | Terbium-Iron | 铽铁合金 (Terbium-Iron alloy) |
Source Material | Dysprosium-Iron | 镝铁合金 (Dysprosium-Iron alloy) |
Source Material | Terbium-Dysprosium-Iron | 铽镝铁合金 (Terbium-Dysprosium-Iron alloy) |
Source Material | Dysprosium | 氧化镝 (Dysprosium oxide) |
Source Material | Terbium | 氧化铽 (Terbium oxide) |
Permanent Magnet Material | Samarium-Cobalt | 钐钴永磁材料 (Samarium-Cobalt permanent magnets) |
Permanent Magnet Material | Terbium | 含铽的钕铁硼永磁材料 (Terbium-containing NdFeB magnets) |
Permanent Magnet Material | Dysprosium | 含镝的钕铁硼永磁材料 (Dysprosium-containing NdFeB magnets) |
Permanent Magnet Material | Composite | 含有以上材料的零件、部件、组件 (Components containing above materials) |
Target Material | Samarium | 钐靶 (Samarium target) |
Target Material | Samarium-Cobalt | 钐钴合金靶 (Sm-Co alloy target) |
Target Material | Samarium-Iron | 钐铁合金靶 (Sm-Fe alloy target) |
Target Material | Gadolinium | 钆靶 (Gadolinium target) |
Target Material | Gadolinium-Iron | 钆铁合金靶 (Gd-Fe alloy target) |
Target Material | Gadolinium-Cobalt | 钆钴合金靶 (Gd-Co alloy target) |
Target Material | Terbium | 铽靶 (Terbium target) |
Target Material | Terbium-Cobalt | 铽钴合金靶 (Tb-Co alloy target) |
Target Material | Terbium-Dysprosium-Iron | 铽镝铁合金靶 (Tb-Dy-Fe alloy target) |
Target Material | Dysprosium | 镝靶 (Dysprosium target) |
Target Material | Lutetium | 镥靶 (Lutetium target) |
Target Material | Scandium | 钪靶 (Scandium target) |
Target Material | Yttrium | 钇靶 (Yttrium target) |
Target Material | Yttrium-Aluminum | 钇铝合金靶 (Y-Al alloy target) |
Target Material | Yttrium-Zirconium | 钇锆合金靶 (Y-Zr alloy target) |
Controlled technologies – MOFCOM announcement No. 62 (2025)
Control Code | Description |
|---|---|
1E902.a | Technologies and carriers related to: |
— | - Rare earth mining |
— | - Smelting and separation |
— | - Metal refining |
— | - Magnet manufacturing (SmCo, NdFeB, Ce-based) |
— | - Recycling of rare earth secondary resources |
1E902.b | Technical services related to the above including: |
— | - Assembly, commissioning, maintenance, repair, upgrades |
Compliance implications
Exporters must:
- Screen all products and technologiesfor controlled content
- Apply for licensesin the case the goods or technology transfer is considered controlled; If not clear, reach out to CN MOFCOM for guidance.
- Declare technical parameters and control statusin customs filings
- Maintain traceabilityacross supply chains
Strategic context
These measures reflect China’s intent to:
- Extend control beyond borders, including reprocessed and foreign-manufactured Chinese-origin items
- Safeguard dual-use technologies
- Reinforce its positionin global supply chains for rare earths and energy storage
China has emphasized that compliant applications will be processed, and legitimate trade will be facilitated through bilateral mechanisms.
For more information on how ONESOURCE Global Trade solutions can assist you in managing supply chain risk, denied party screening and regulatory compliance, contact your Account Manager or Client Success Manager.