On December 9, 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued Announcement No. 79, announcing the implementation of "export license management" for some steel products from January 1, 2026. This policy will completely change the procurement pattern, and the "compliance" of the supply chain will become the key to shipment.
1、 The core change of the new regulations is that from 2026 onwards, steel exports must cross two "hard thresholds":
Must hold a certificate: Each batch of exported goods must hold an officially issued "export license", otherwise it cannot be cleared through customs.
Quality inspection: The prerequisite for applying for a license is that the exporter must provide an "export contract" and a "quality assurance certificate（MTC）" issued by the manufacturer. This means that small factories and traders who cannot provide compliance quality inspection reports will directly lose their export qualifications.
2、 Market impact: a major reshuffle in the supply chain
This new regulation will have a profound impact on the global supply chain in the short term:
Low quality production capacity clearance: Those non-standard steel mills that rely on low prices and defective products to impact the market, and previously relied on paid exports, will be eliminated due to the inability to obtain licenses.
Compliance costs are evident: With the increase of compliance thresholds, the hidden costs of the supply chain will increase, and in the future, there will be fewer and fewer "extremely low-priced" products. Market prices will return to rationality and quality orientation.
MTSCO recommends that global partners take the following actions immediately:
Review existing orders: Confirm if your current orders can be shipped and cleared before December 31, 2025.
Evaluate supplier qualifications: Directly ask your supplier: "Do you have the qualifications to apply for an export license for 2026?" "Can you provide a quality inspection certificate that meets the requirements of the Ministry of Commerce
Locking in compliance partners: During periods of policy turbulence, choosing top suppliers with long-term compliance and well-established systems is the only way to reduce risks.
MTSCO always adheres to compliant operation throughout the entire process. Holding a complete export contract and original MTC, the application process is standardized and guaranteed.
We are fully prepared to ensure that your order will still be delivered on time after the new regulations come into effect on January 1, 2026.
If you need a stable and reliable supply partner, please feel free to contact us.
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