China’s Import and Export of Copper Tube

SHANGHAI, July 14 (SMM) - Among copper products, only copper tube have achieved net exports in China. The production technology and industrial scale of certain categories of copper tube are already at the forefront of the world. China's imported copper tube only account for about 5% of the copper semis imports, while the exported copper tube account for 52% of the copper semis exports. From the perspective of product categories, the most imported product in China is large-diameter red copper pipe (outer diameter > 70mm), which accounts for more than 50% of imports. This type of product is widely used in various structural parts, tools and mechanical parts. The most exported copper tube products are small diameter copper tube (outer diameter ≤ 25mm), accounting for 51.3% of imports. This type of tube is mainly used for refrigeration and air conditioning. "Copper alloy pipe fittings" are also the main export products, accounting for 35.8%. Copper alloy tube fittings are also the main exported products, accounting for 35.8% of exports. Compared with imports, China's copper tube exports have an absolute advantage in trade volume, but the relative simplicity of export product categories makes it vulnerable to trade barriers in international trade. 

Judging from the export volume in the past five years, the export volume of copper tube has remained at around 280,000 to 290,000 mt. The imports of copper tube from January to May have declined by 10.1% on the year and are expected to be 280,000 mt. The output of copper pipes increased rapidly in 2021, mainly because the sales of large household appliances increased amid the favourable policies issued by foreign governments to stimulate consumption during the pandemic. As the output of foreign factories declined due to pandemic, China's copper tube exports increased. From January to May 2022, copper tube exports fell by 5% year-on-year and the total exports are expected to be about 300,000 mt in 2022.