Copper Plate/Sheet and Strip Exports Were Generally Optimistic in March, While Exports to the US Halved YoY

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China's exports of copper plate/sheet and strip reached 10,543 mt in March 2025, up 40.5% MoM and 5.2% YoY. By March, China's total exports of copper plate/sheet and strip amounted to 28,424 mt, with a cumulative YoY increase of 2.65%.

Specifically, in March this year, China exported copper plate/sheet and strip to a total of 92 countries and regions. In terms of export rankings by country, South Korea ranked first with imports of 1,236 mt, followed by Taiwan, China with 1,104 mt, and Vietnam ranked third with imports of 1,047 mt in March. From a YoY perspective, among the top 10 countries by export volume, exports to Indonesia showed the most significant YoY increase. Additionally, it is noteworthy that exports of copper plate/sheet and strip to the US saw a YoY decline of as much as 57.03%. Since the US is not a major export destination for China's copper plate/sheet and strip products, SMM understands that the current trade war between China and the US has not had a significant impact or drag on domestic export orders for copper plate/sheet and strip.

From the trade mode perspective, Processing with Imported Materials accounted for 67.43%, making it the predominant trade mode, while Processing Trade with Supplied Materials and Ordinary Trade accounted for only 13.66% and 12.52%, respectively.

SMM expects that the exports of copper plate/sheet and strip will remain high in April. The current global trade environment is unstable, and trade policies may change at any time, bringing higher pressure to copper plate/sheet and strip enterprises due to external uncertainties. Although the export orders of copper plate/sheet and strip products have not been directly affected by US tariff adjustments, the exports of downstream products such as 3C electronics and NEVs in the industry chain have already been suppressed, which has been transmitted to the new orders of copper plate/sheet and strip enterprises in April. The orders and production of copper plate/sheet and strip enterprises will be indirectly affected to some extent.