The new controls on mineral exports will come into force on December 1

MADRID, 20 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Government of China announced this Friday a tightening starting in December in the requirements for the export of a series of graphite products, a key mineral for the manufacture of batteries, "in order to safeguard national security and interests", as announced by the Ministry of Commerce of the Asian giant.

The measure, which will be officially implemented starting December 1, has been announced just three days after the United States Department of Commerce announced a tightening of controls on the export of high-tech microchips that manufacturers can sell. to China.

Last August, China increased the restrictions applied to the export of gallium and germanium, two key metals in the manufacture of semiconductors and other basic components for the energy transition, after the United States and other large microprocessor manufacturers such as Japan and Countries Bajos announced limitations on the export of technology.

"The Ministry of Commerce of China, together with the General Administration of Customs, has announced the adjustment of temporary export control measures on graphite articles, officially including three types of highly sensitive graphite articles that were previously temporarily controlled, while that the temporary control on five low-sensitivity graphite articles has been lifted," a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry said at a press conference.

In this sense, the official has defended that "it is a common international practice to impose export controls on specific graphite articles", ensuring that, as the largest producer and exporter of graphite in the world, "China has long been firmly complying with its international obligations ".

Thus, starting in December, the export of graphite articles affected by their significant impact on national security must be authorized through the issuance of a license after the appropriate review by the Ministry of Commerce, while customs will will be in charge of inspection and release procedures based on the issued export license.

In this sense, the Chinese Government warns that if an operator exports without a license, beyond the scope of the license or commits other illegal acts, the Ministry of Commerce or Customs will impose administrative sanctions in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.