From January to November 2025, China's steel exports continued their growth momentum, with export volume reaching 107.717 million tonnes, up 6.7% year on year, while the export value stood at USD 74.9 billion, down 2.1% year on year.

In recent years, China’s domestic steel supply-demand structure has undergone notable changes: while supply has edged down, domestic demand has declined significantly. Export data show that steel exports feature “rising volume with falling prices,” indicating that the product export mix needs further optimization. Looking at the external environment, rising global trade protectionism and escalating trade frictions have subjected Chinese steel products to frequent anti-dumping investigations, making the export climate increasingly complex. More concerning, certain illegal and non-compliant practices have disrupted export order, posing significant risks to the industry’s development.

In response to the challenges facing the steel industry, China has established an institutional system featuring coordinated multi‑departmental management. However, the current regulatory approach remains largely focused on “ex‑post punishment” and lacks sufficient preventive measures. Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs decided to implement export licensing management for certain steel products, which is of great significance for promoting the stable and healthy development of the steel industry.

Regulating export order and creating a level playing field

Approximately 300 customs HS codes of steel products will be brought under export licensing management, enabling precise control over enterprise information and exported products, which helps foster a fair competitive environment for businesses.

Addressing trade frictions and easing external pressures

Implementing export licensing management for steel products sends a positive signal to the international community that China is regulating its trade order. It effectively responds to foreign concerns over China’s “low‑priced steel exports” and reduces potential triggers for anti‑dumping investigations. At the same time, it facilitates timely and comprehensive understanding of steel export situations, allowing for swift responses to changes in the international trade environment.

Optimizing export structure and promoting industrial upgrading
Export licensing management requires steel exporters to apply for export licenses based on export contracts and product quality inspection certificates issued by manufacturers. By tightening quality control over exported products, it promotes an upgrade in the export product mix, fosters a virtuous cycle between export growth and industrial upgrading, and supports high-quality development of the industry.

Against the backdrop of weakening domestic demand and escalating international trade frictions, China’s steel industry is now at a critical stage of transitioning toward highquality development. Implementing export licensing management for steel products will help drive the industry’s transformation and upgrading, mitigate trade risks, and facilitate steel exports that are “reasonably scaled, structurally optimized, and orderly regulated.”