【Ministry of Commerce】Latest Response Regarding Graphite Exports!

The Ministry of Commerce: Exports of graphite that comply with relevant regulations will be permitted.

On the afternoon of October 26, the Ministry of Commerce held its routine press conference. Spokesperson Shu Juetin stated that on October 20, the Ministry of Commerce, in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs, issued an announcement on optimizing and adjusting temporary export control measures for graphite items. This announcement included both additions and removals to the control list, with three highly sensitive graphite items officially included in the control list and five less sensitive graphite items having their temporary controls lifted.

Shu Juetin explained that the Chinese government implements export controls in accordance with the law, and these adjustments are normal. They are not directed at any specific country or region, nor are they aimed at any particular industry. China is committed to ensuring the safety and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Exports that comply with relevant regulations will be permitted.

According to a previous announcement on the Ministry of Commerce website, on October 20, the Ministry of Commerce, in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs, issued an announcement on optimizing and adjusting temporary export control measures for graphite items. This included officially including three highly sensitive graphite items, such as spherical graphite, in the list of dual-use export-controlled items. Simultaneously, it removed the temporary control of five less sensitive graphite items, mainly used in the steel, metallurgy, and chemical industries, which are essential to the national economy. These policies will officially take effect on December 1, 2023.

The Ministry of Commerce spokesperson responded that they had already notified the relevant countries and regions of these measures. The implementation of export control on specific graphite items is an international practice. As the world's largest producer and exporter of graphite, China has long been committed to fulfilling international obligations, including non-proliferation. Based on national security and interest considerations, China legally implemented export controls on specific graphite items and temporarily controlled certain graphite items. Recently, the Chinese government conducted a comprehensive assessment of the temporary export control measures on graphite items in accordance with the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China. The decision to optimize these measures, with some items added and others removed, reflects the regulatory concept of comprehensive development and safety. It is conducive to fulfilling international obligations, safeguarding the safety and stability of the global supply chain and industrial chain, and better protecting national security and interests. For further analysis of the graphite export control policies, feel free to communicate with us.