Published: May 2025

On April 4, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and General Administration of Customs (GAC) jointly announced the implementation of export controls on a variety of rare earth materials, including so-called light and heavy rare earths, as well as high-performance permanent magnets (e.g., NdFeB) containing dysprosium and/or terbium.

While aimed at the global export market broadly, the announcement comes in response to sweeping tariffs by the US that imposed a 145% levy on most goods coming from China and are aimed at restricting supplies for defense and dual-use applications that could be used against China’s interests.

The new export control measures are not an outright ban on exports. Rather, they require that suppliers in China first apply for an export license before fulfilling foreign purchase orders, allowing Beijing to halt supplies to specific companies, industries or regions with surgical precision.

This whitepaper provides an overview of the new regulations and explains the process suppliers, in conjunction with end users, must complete to receive an export license for the restricted materials.

“Suppliers recommend gathering required information and submitting the application 3 to 4 months ahead of the desired date to receive the shipment to compensate for any processing delays that may occur.”

– Ryan Castilloux | Managing Director at Adamas Intelligence