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Policies

Export controls on certain medium and heavy rare earth items

Last updated: 5 May 2025

On April 4, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 18 to implement export controls on certain medium and heavy rare earth items. This measure aims to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international non-proliferation obligations. The announcement is based on several laws, including the Export Control Law, Foreign Trade Law, Customs Law, and Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items of the People's Republic of China.


The controlled items include:

  • Samarium (Sm) Related Items:
    • Metals and Alloys: samarium-cobalt, samarium-iron, samarium-nickel, samarium-aluminum, and samarium-magnesium alloys.
    • Oxides and Compounds: oxides and various compounds of samarium.
    • Permanent Magnetic Materials: samarium-cobalt permanent magnets.
  • Gadolinium (Gd) Related Items:
    • Metals and Alloys: gadolinium-magnesium and gadolinium-aluminum alloys.
    • Oxides and Compounds: oxides and various compounds of gadolinium.
  • Terbium (Tb) Related Items:
    • Metals and Alloys: terbium-cobalt and terbium-iron alloys.
    • Oxides and Compounds: oxides and various compounds of terbium.
    • Permanent Magnetic Materials: terbium-containing neodymium-iron-boron magnets.
  • Dysprosium (Dy) Related Items:
    • Metals and Alloys: dysprosium-iron and terbium-dysprosium-iron alloys.
    • Oxides and Compounds: oxides and various compounds of dysprosium.
    • Permanent Magnetic Materials: dysprosium-containing neodymium-iron-boron magnets.
  • Lutetium (Lu) Related Items:
    • Metals and Alloys: lutetium and ytterbium-lutetium alloys.
    • Oxides and Compounds: oxides and various compounds of lutetium.
  • Scandium (Sc) Related Items:
    • Metals and Alloys: scandium-aluminum, scandium-magnesium, and scandium-copper alloys.
    • Oxides and Compounds: oxides and various compounds of scandium.
  • Yttrium (Y) Related Items:
    • Metals and Alloys: yttrium-aluminum, yttrium-magnesium, yttrium-nickel, yttrium-copper, and yttrium-iron alloys.
    • Oxides and Compounds: oxides and various compounds of yttrium.

Exporters must apply for licences from the Ministry of Commerce and identify controlled items during customs clearance. The announcement is effective immediately from the date of publication.

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more (Chinese)

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