According to customs data:
In April 2025, China's total imports of lithium carbonate reached approximately 28,336 mt, hitting a new record high again, up 56% MoM and 34% YoY. The average import price was approximately $9,557/mt, down 5.5% MoM from the average price in March.
Among them, imports of lithium carbonate from Chile were approximately 20,256 mt, up 59% MoM, accounting for about 71% of the total imports in this period; imports of lithium carbonate from Argentina were approximately 6,850 mt, up 47% MoM, accounting for about 24% of the total imports in this period. Chile and Argentina remained the main source countries for China's lithium carbonate imports.
According to recent export data from Chile's customs, the volume of lithium carbonate shipped to China remained at a high and stable level. Compared with China's imports of 18,000 mt of lithium carbonate in March, the import volume in April increased significantly. This growth was mainly due to the impact of shipping cycles, which led to a concentrated arrival of shipments in April. Therefore, it is expected that China's lithium carbonate import volume in May will pull back from the high level in April.
In terms of exports, China exported 734 mt of lithium carbonate in April, up 334% MoM and 213% YoY, mainly to Japan and Indonesia.
Data source: General Administration of Customs, SMM
