China's Antimony Exports Surge Ahead of Export Controls

China's Antimony

China’s antimony metal exports saw a significant rise in August, spurred by a rush to secure stocks before the nation’s export controls came into effect on 15 September. Western buyers, anticipating the restrictions, increased their purchases, leading to a spike in exports. China exported 423 tonnes of antimony metal in August, up from 267 tonnes in July. However, this figure remains below the 578 tonnes exported in the same period last year. Year-to-date exports for 2024 totaled 2,384 tonnes, marking a 32% decrease compared to the previous year, according to customs data.

Impact of Export Controls on Future Shipments

Market analysts predict that antimony exports will drop sharply in September as many exporters have already suspended shipments. Future export application requirements could further limit large-volume exports of the material. This trend follows a broader pattern of firms adjusting their strategies to comply with upcoming regulatory changes.

China’s antimony oxide exports also rose, reaching 3,389 tonnes in August, up from 2,799 tonnes in July. Overseas buyers have similarly stockpiled antimony oxides ahead of the controls, although most oxide exports remain unaffected by the licensing system since only material with purity above 99.99% falls under the new restrictions. Still, many export firms have paused oxide shipments due to document processing upgrades, and August exports were slightly down from the 3,731 tonnes recorded a year earlier. The first eight months of 2024 saw antimony oxide exports rise to 23,483 tonnes, a slight 0.68% increase year-on-year.