China's Copper Foil Customs Details for December 2025: Trade Deficit Narrowed [SMM Analysis]

SMM January 22 News:

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China's copper foil imports (HS codes: 74101100, 74102190) in December 2025 reached 7,183.10 mt, up 0.27% YoY and up 7.96% MoM. Cumulative copper foil imports from January to December 2025 totaled 79,925.14 mt, up 3.07% YoY.

Copper foil import value in December 2025 was $134.5619 million, up 9.88% YoY and up 6.53% MoM. Cumulative import value from January to December 2025 was $1,443.5609 million, up 10.68% YoY.

Copper foil exports in December 2025 were 5,414.09 mt, up 65.91% YoY but down 9.68% MoM. Cumulative exports from January to December 2025 reached 54,636.43 mt, up 21.24% YoY.

Copper foil export value in December 2025 was $76.4591 million, up 85.73% YoY but down 5.34% MoM. Cumulative export value from January to December 2025 was $716.198 million, up 29.61% YoY.

China's copper foil trade deficit in December 2025 was approximately $58.1 million, up about $12.56 million MoM from November's $45.54 million. The full-year 2025 trade deficit was about $727.36 million, down $24.35 million from $751.71 million in 2024.

By trade mode, China's copper foil imports in December 2025 included 5,205.95 mt via Ordinary Trade; 340.5 mt via Processing Trade with Supplied Materials; 849.49 mt via Processing Trade with Imported Materials; and 787.17 mt under other trade modes.

Copper foil exports in December 2025 included 1,263.50 mt via Ordinary Trade; 1,347.90 mt via Processing Trade with Supplied Materials; 2,631.70 mt via Processing Trade with Imported Materials; and 171.01 mt under other trade modes.

By country/region, the main sources of China's copper foil imports in December 2025 were Taiwan, China (4,104.04 mt), Malaysia (1,235.78 mt), and Japan (521.01 mt).

The main export destinations for China's copper foil in December 2025 were Thailand (1,541.60 mt), South Korea (795.12 mt), and Vietnam (460.23 mt).

China's copper clad laminate (CCL) imports (HS code: 74102110) in December 2025 were 4,763.01 mt, up 23.19% YoY and up 27.34% MoM. Cumulative CCL imports from January to December 2025 totaled 41,555.82 mt, up 2.06% YoY.

CCL exports in December 2025 were 8,016.66 mt, up 4.20% YoY and up 0.88% MoM. Cumulative exports from January to December 2025 were 91,015.81 mt, down 7.00% YoY.

In 2025, China's copper foil import and export volumes both increased, with export growth being more significant, and the trade deficit narrowed. This reflects improved domestic R&D capabilities for high-end copper foil and a gradual reduction in dependence on imported high-end products. Meanwhile, overseas demand, particularly in Southeast Asia, showed considerable growth. Additionally, since the cancellation of the copper foil export tax rebate in December 2024, China's copper foil export structure has shifted from Ordinary Trade to Processing Trade.