General Administration of Customs: China’s Rare Earth Exports Surged 140%, Copper Imports Fell 41.07% YoY in Aug

Published: Sep 7, 2021 14:42
China's import volume of unwrought copper and copper semis in August were 393,900 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 41.07%, and a month-on-month decrease of 7.2%. The imports from January to August were 3.61 million mt, a year-on-year decrease of 15.4%.

SHANGHAI, Sep 7(SMM) – General Administration of Customs released the import and export data of copper, aluminium, iron, coal, steel, and rare earth on September 7.

Imports

China's import volume of unwrought copper and copper semis in August were 393,900 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 41.07%, and a month-on-month decrease of 7.2%. The imports from January to August were 3.61 million mt, a year-on-year decrease of 15.4%. 

China's imports of copper ore and concentrate stood at 1.89 million mt in August, an increase of 18.8% year-on-year and a decrease of 0.05% from the previous month. The imports totalled 15.27 million mt From January to August, an increase of 14% year-on-year.

China imported 97.49 million mt of iron ore and concentrates in August, a year-on-year decrease of 2.9%, and a month-on-month increase of 10.2%. The imports totalled 746.45 million mt from January to August, a year-on-year decrease of 1.7%.

China imported 28.05 million mt of coal and lignite in August, a year-on-year increase of 35.8%, but a month-on-month decrease of 7.0%. The cumulative import was 197.69 million mt, a year-on-year decrease of 10.3%.

Exports

China's rare earth exports in August were 3,936.1 mt, a year-on-year increase of 140%.  The imports totalled 31,717.1 mt from January to August, a year-on-year increase of 30.1%.

China exported 490,200 mt of unwrought aluminium and aluminium semis in August, a year-on-year increase of 24%. The cumulative import volume from January to August was 3.13 million mt, an increase of 14.2% year-on-year.

China's steel exports in August were 5.05 million mt, a year-on-year increase of 37.3%. The cumulative export volume from January to August was 36.55 million mt, a year-on-year increase of 31.6%.

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
SMM Zhejiang Tax-Inclusive Copper Scrap Reference Price (March 24, 2026)
34 mins ago
SMM Zhejiang Tax-Inclusive Copper Scrap Reference Price (March 24, 2026)
Read More
SMM Zhejiang Tax-Inclusive Copper Scrap Reference Price (March 24, 2026)
SMM Zhejiang Tax-Inclusive Copper Scrap Reference Price (March 24, 2026)
Today, the average price of tax-inclusive Bare Bright Wire in Zhejiang was quoted at 93,700 yuan/mt, marking a daily increase of 700 yuan/mt. The deduction (relative to SMM ChangJiang copper prices) remained stable within the range of 300-400 yuan/mt. Due to recent high-level price pullbacks and sharp market volatility, a strong "wait-and-see" sentiment has emerged, leading to sluggish spot trading performance. Industry experts believe the market is currently in a stalemate. However, trading volumes are expected to bottom out and rebound once prices stabilize or regain their upward momentum.
34 mins ago
Supplier Sell-Offs and Downstream Counteroffers, Shanghai Spot Copper Discounts Came Under Pressure [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
36 mins ago
Supplier Sell-Offs and Downstream Counteroffers, Shanghai Spot Copper Discounts Came Under Pressure [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
Read More
Supplier Sell-Offs and Downstream Counteroffers, Shanghai Spot Copper Discounts Came Under Pressure [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
Supplier Sell-Offs and Downstream Counteroffers, Shanghai Spot Copper Discounts Came Under Pressure [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
[SMM Shanghai Spot Copper] Copper prices rose from yesterday, but both buying and selling sentiment pulled back intraday, indicating that downstream acceptance of current price levels remained limited. In terms of market structure, under the current price spread between futures contracts structure, suppliers showed strong willingness to sell, with some offloading cargo, driving overall spot discounts down rapidly, while downstream willingness to make counteroffers was relatively evident. Entering the second trading session, after premiums were cut further, market transactions improved somewhat, but downstream procurement remained generally cautious, mainly focused on restocking on dips, with insufficient willingness to chase higher prices. Overall, amid the tug-of-war between suppliers actively selling and downstream buyers purchasing cautiously, Shanghai spot copper discounts were expected to remain under pressure tomorrow.
36 mins ago
Buying Sentiment Weakened Downstream After Copper Prices Rebounded Sharply, Spot Premiums Declined [SMM South China Spot Copper]
53 mins ago
Buying Sentiment Weakened Downstream After Copper Prices Rebounded Sharply, Spot Premiums Declined [SMM South China Spot Copper]
Read More
Buying Sentiment Weakened Downstream After Copper Prices Rebounded Sharply, Spot Premiums Declined [SMM South China Spot Copper]
Buying Sentiment Weakened Downstream After Copper Prices Rebounded Sharply, Spot Premiums Declined [SMM South China Spot Copper]
53 mins ago
General Administration of Customs: China’s Rare Earth Exports Surged 140%, Copper Imports Fell 41.07% YoY in Aug - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)