Nickel Market Sees Limited Spot Trading, High-Grade NPI Prices Hold Firm Amid Uncertainty

Indonesia has confirmed the implementation details of Article 18A of Government Regulation (PP) No. 21/2026, which took effect for export customs declarations (PPE) from September 1, 2026. The government identified 64 mining exporters, or around 12% of 537 exporters reviewed, as currently meeting the eligibility criteria. Eligible exporters must be incorporated as Indonesian PTs, operate in the mining sector, and have at least one shareholder from the designated countries, the US, China, Hong Kong, Australia or Canada, holding at least a 10% stake. The eligible list will be reviewed monthly. The government has also designated 15 foreign-exchange banks for the placement of DHE SDA under Article 18A, comprising five state-owned banks and 10 non-state-owned banks. This allows eligible exporters to place the required DHE SDA with designated non-state-owned banks, providing greater flexibility in managing export proceeds.

The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 03 Sep , 2026

[SMM Nickel Flash] September 3 news: Despite the rebound in nickel prices, the high-grade NPI market finds it difficult to reverse its weak fundamentals, and the market lacks liquidity. Steel mills continue to hold their acceptable price levels at the low end, and a significant price spread remains between upstream offers and steel mills' psychological price levels. The premium for high nickel unit cargoes has narrowed notably, and most institutions still hold a bearish outlook on the forward market.