According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, China's imports of copper ore and copper concentrates in April 2026 totaled 2.352 million mt in physical content, down 19.57% YoY. Cumulative imports from January to April reached 9.915 million mt in physical content, down 0.8% compared to the same period last year. Since December 2020, China's cumulative YoY growth in copper concentrates imports had remained positive, making this the first decline in over five years.

According to data from the online query platform of the General Administration of Customs, China's imports of copper ore and concentrates in March 2026 totaled 2,629,996.23 mt, up 13.84% MoM and 9.99% YoY. Shipments from major supplying countries such as Chile, Peru, and Mongolia all increased to varying degrees. However, spot copper concentrate TCs in China remained at low levels, and the tight ore supply situation continued. Below is the supply breakdown from major source countries for China's copper ore imports since March 2020: Data source: General Administration of Customs (Wenhua Composite)

General Administration of Customs: In February 2026, China imported 2.31 million dmt of copper ore and concentrate, a decrease of 11.97% month-on-month and an increase of 5.84% year-on-year. The cumulative imports in January-February increased by 4.9%.

General Administration of Customs: In January 2026, China imported 2.624 million dmt of copper ores and concentrates, a decrease of 2.96% month-on-month and an increase of 3.72% year-on-year.

[SMM Analysis: Reshaping Cu Cons Trade Flows: China's New Raw Material Strategy Landscape Amid Geopolitical Chessboard] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 2.704 million dmt of copper ore and concentrates in December 2025, a month-on-month increase of 7% and a year-on-year increase of 7.2%. From January to December, China’s cumulative imports of copper ore and concentrates reached 30.365 million dmt, a cumulative year-on-year increase of 7.8%.

General Administration of Customs: In December 2025, China imported 2.704 million physical tons of copper ore and concentrates, an increase of 7% month-on-month and 7.2% year-on-year. From January to December, China’s cumulative imports of copper ore and concentrates reached 30.365 million physical tons, representing a cumulative year-on-year increase of 7.8%.