China’s new standards for scrap imports cause inventory build-up. New standards for the imports of aluminium scrap into China came into effect on 1 July. The new standards are set to replace the current quota policy in place since July 2019.

However, Chinese customs have not yet released key information regarding the specific HS codes for scrap shipments under the new policy. Without the codes, scrap traders have been unable to ship their material into China, which according to various reports led to an inventory build-up in nearby countries.

Once the new codes are issued, scrap that meets the specifications will be categorised as raw material and will be free of import restrictions. Until then, the current quota system will prevail.

More Chinese companies applied for quota in July

On 6 July, Chinese authorities released the largest quota for aluminium scrap imports (209,660 t) since December. Over 50 Chinese companies applied for quota in July, up from 5 in June. This is linked to the current confusion around the new scrap import standards and a sign of strong Chinese demand.

New law in September will give clarity on China “waste policy”

So far in 2020 China has issued quotas for 693,659 t of aluminium scrap imports, but the policy is set to expire next year. In 2021, China plans to ban the import of solid waste entirely. According to the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) a newly revised “Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes” will come into force on 1 September 2020. The law will clarify the legal requirements for the identification of attributes of imported goods suspected to be solid waste.

Chinese secondary producers adapt to new reality

As mentioned in our last report, Chinese secondary producers have partially offset the lack of overseas scrap by importing more secondary alloys under the HS code 76012000. These alloys are categorised as secondary ingot, which does not have import restrictions, and are typically not standard secondary ingot specification (DIN 226/ADC21). The ingot is simply scrap remelted into an ingot, with little sorting. The ingot is then remelted by domestic secondary producers who refine it into the required grade.