China’s imports of copper anode expand 19.7% in Apr

This is a roundup of China's metals weekly inventory as of July 2.

Mainstream refining charges (RCs) of domestic blister copper stood at 1,400-1,550 yuan/mt in November, delivery to factory, an average increase of 25 yuan/mt amid positive demand. RCs of imported blister copper stood at $150-165/mt, up $15/mt on average. RCs for blister copper cif rose further as China Customs has levied value-added tax on gold in imported plate-shaped copper anode since October which dampened interest in such products greatly, and blister copper inventories at domestic smelters were abundant.

China imported 9.54 million mt of bauxite in May, down 3.98% from the previous month but up 3.57% from the same month of 2019, according to China customs data under HS code 26060000.

Last year, the Republic of Guinea, Australia, and Indonesia remained the top three bauxite exporters to China, with their combined volume accounting for over 94% of the China’s total bauxite imports

China imported 4.32 million mt of nickel ore and concentrate last month, down 27.91% from November

In Sep, China imported 114,000 mt of aluminium scrap, down 19.1% month on month but up 17.5% year on year

Imports in Jul shrank 0.23% on the year but increased 9.72% on the month to 69,700 mt

China’s imports of stainless steel rose 55.33% from Jun to 73,900 mt in Jul

China imported 59,300 mt of refined zinc in May, down 23.57% from Apr but up 0.32% from May 2018

China exported 2,961 mt of refined tin in the first quarter, doubled from the previous quarter