NEWSBREAK: China to rename certain copper, aluminium scrap products in July

China's new policy to rename certain copper scrap, brass scrap and aluminium scrap as “recyclable raw materials” will take effect in July 2020, according to an official document seen by Fastmarkets.

The criterion for eligibility has been approved by bureaus including the State Administration for Market Regulation and will be publicly announced in the next 20 days.

Well informed sources told Fastmarkets the new specification will be released ahead of Lunar New Year which takes place on January 25.

The new policy will bring drastic changes to China, the world’s biggest scrap buyer. Currently, Chinese scrap buyers have to apply for quotas to buy metal scrap products from overseas. The additional trading hurdle faced administration difficulties and caused uncertainties for sellers and consumers.

The Chinese environmental ministry issued quotas for 561,202 tonnes of copper scrap to be brought into the country last year under the system which came into effect in July 2019.

What to read next
The US aluminium industry is experiencing challenges related to tariffs, which have contributed to higher prices and premiums, raising questions about potential impacts on demand. Alcoa's CEO has noted that sustained high prices could affect the domestic market. While trade agreements might provide some relief, analysts expect premiums to remain elevated in the near term. However, aluminum demand is projected to grow over the long term, supported by the energy transition and clean energy projects. To meet this demand, the industry will need to increase production, restart idle smelters and address factors such as electricity costs and global competition.
Read Fastmarkets' monthly base metals market for May 2025 focusing on raw materials including copper, nickel aluminium, lead, zinc and tin.
The Mexico Metals Outlook 2025 conference explored challenges and opportunities in the steel, aluminum and scrap markets, focusing on tariffs, nearshoring, capacity growth and global trends.
China has launched a coordinated crackdown on the illegal export of strategic minerals under export control, such as antimony, gallium, germanium, tungsten and rare earths, the country’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday May 9.
Fastmarkets proposes to amend the frequency of Taiwan base metals prices from biweekly to monthly, and the delivery timing for the tin 99.99% ingot premium from two weeks to four weeks.
The US-China trade truce announced on May 12 has brought cautious optimism to China’s non-ferrous metals markets, signaling a possible shift in global trade. Starting May 14, the removal of additional tariffs has impacted sectors like battery raw materials, minor metals and base metals such as zinc and nickel, with mixed reactions. While the improved sentiment has lifted futures prices and trade activity, the long-term effects remain unclear due to challenges like supply-demand pressures and export controls.