China’s new copper and aluminium scrap standards yet to be implemented

Published: Jul 2, 2020 16:20

Save

The long-anticipated new standards for high-grade copper scrap and aluminium scrap metal—due to come into force on July 1–has yet to be implemented at China’s customs, as the procedure for importing material under these standards has not been finalised, SMM learned from several traders, fabricators and smelters.

SHANGHAI, Jul 2 (SMM) – The long-anticipated new standards for high-grade copper scrap and aluminium scrap metal—due to come into force on July 1–has yet to be implemented at China’s customs, as the procedure for importing material under these standards has not been finalised, SMM learned from several traders, fabricators and smelters.

That leaves the country’s imports of such materials under the restriction of the quota scheme, which would remain in place until the end of 2020.

China plans to cut imports of solid waste to zero by the end of this year, but published the new standards for high-grade copper scrap and aluminium scrap metal in January to indicate what material will still be allowed into the country after then.

High-grade copper and aluminium scrap meeting the new standards will be classed as a resource rather than waste.

SMM learned from several large fabricators and smelters who have been importing aluminium scrap for a long time that import quotas for aluminium scrap for the third quarter will be barely changed with those for the second quarter.

Copper Copper scrap Aluminium Aluminium scrap

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

20 hours ago

Jiangxi Launches First Virtual Power Plant Pilots for Enhanced Energy Management

According to Polar Power Grid, to accelerate the development of virtual power plants and leverage their positive role in supply assurance, operational regulation, and new energy integration, the first batch of virtual power plant pilot applications will be organized across Jiangxi Province, in accordance with documents such as the "Jiangxi Province Work Plan for Promoting High-Quality Development of Virtual Power Plants" and the "Jiangxi Province Guidelines for Virtual Power Plant Construction and Operation."

20 hours ago

China's 15th Five-Year Plan Aims to Tackle High-Quality Development Barriers and Enhance Energy Markets

According to Electric Union New Media, the proposal for the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, reviewed and adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, explicitly states the need to "focus on institutional and mechanism obstacles hindering high-quality development" and "accelerate the improvement of markets and pricing mechanisms adapted to the new-type energy system."

20 hours ago

[SMM Analysis] Reshaping Cu Cons Trade Flows: China's New Raw Material Strategy Landscape Amid Geopolitical Chessboard

[SMM Analysis: Reshaping Cu Cons Trade Flows: China's New Raw Material Strategy Landscape Amid Geopolitical Chessboard] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 2.704 million dmt of copper ore and concentrates in December 2025, a month-on-month increase of 7% and a year-on-year increase of 7.2%. From January to December, China’s cumulative imports of copper ore and concentrates reached 30.365 million dmt, a cumulative year-on-year increase of 7.8%.

20 hours ago