Explainer · export controls · as of 30 October 2026
China's export controls on critical minerals
Since 2023, China has put a growing list of critical minerals under export licensing. Here is the timeline, what is paused, and the dates to watch.
Timeline
- Gallium and germanium need a Chinese export licence.
- Antimony follows.
- China bans exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the United States.
- Tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium need export licences.
- Seven heavy rare earths, including dysprosium and terbium, need a licence for every export. This was never paused.
- A wider package: more rare earths, rare-earth equipment and technology, lithium batteries and graphite anodes, superhard materials, and the 0.1% rule for foreign-made products.
- China pauses most of the October 2025 package until 10 November 2026, and suspends the US ban on gallium, germanium and antimony until 27 November 2026.
- The wider US–China trade truce is extended to 10 January 2027; the announcement does not mention the rare-earth pause.
- The pause on the October 2025 package is due to end.
- The suspension of the US ban on gallium, germanium and antimony is due to end.
Key questions
What is China's 0.1% rule?
A rule announced in October 2025 under which products made anywhere in the world that contain at least 0.1% Chinese-origin rare earths by value would need a Chinese export licence. It was paused until 10 November 2026.
Which minerals need a Chinese export licence today?
Among others gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten and seven heavy rare earths including dysprosium and terbium. Licences are decided case by case, for every destination including Europe.
What happens on 10 November 2026?
China's one-year pause on its October 2025 rare-earth package is due to end. As of late October 2026, no extension had been published. Check OreOrbit's deadline calendar for the latest status.
Sources
- China Ministry of Commerce announcements, including No. 46 (2024) and Nos. 55–58, 61, 62 and 70 (2025)
- Reporting by Reuters, Bloomberg Government, Fastmarkets and CNBC
Export-control decisions change at short notice. This page is updated when they do; dates on the live atlas update automatically.