In June, China's total magnesium product exports reached 39,400 mt, up 4.8% MoM and 10.9% YoY. Of this, magnesium ingot exports were 22,700 mt, down 5.5% MoM, mainly dragged down by the traditional off-season demand in and outside China. In contrast, magnesium powder and magnesium alloy exports performed strongly, up 21.2% and 33.2% MoM respectively, driven by periodic restocking, downstream stockpiling in advance, and the rapid development of sectors such as lightweight vehicles.

[SMM Magnesium Express]According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs, China exported approximately 39,400 tons of magnesium products in June 2026, marking a 4.8% month-on-month increase and a 10.9% year-on-year growth. Specifically, China exported 22,700 tons of magnesium ingots in June 2026, down 5.5% month-on-month but up 11.3% year-on-year; 5,848 tons of magnesium powder, up 21.2% month-on-month but down 0.64% year-on-year; and 8,650 tons of magnesium alloys, up 33.2% month-on-month and 23.2% year-on-year.

[SMM Magnesium Express] Announcement No. 26 of 2026 by the Ministry of Commerce, announcing relevant matters on further improving the reporting and handling of illegal and irregular export control of strategic mineral dual-use items, will be officially implemented from July 1, 2026. The announcement stated that in order to fully play the role of social supervision and crack down on illegal and irregular export control of strategic dual-use mineral items, in accordance with laws and regulations such as the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China and the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to further improve the reporting and handling of illegal and irregular export control of strategic dual-use mineral items. The announcement lists thirteen types of reportable situations, including unauthorized export, exceeding the scope of the license, splitting parts to evade the license, bypassing third countries to evade control, and includes intermediaries who knowingly provide agency, customs declaration, financial and other services in the scope of accountability. For magnesium exports, magnesium and its products have been included in the management of dual-use item export licenses since 2026. The new regulations significantly reduce the gray operation space such as false reporting, concealment, and transit. Especially with the continuous tightening of export controls on Japan, the export of high-purity magnesium products used for aluminum processing has come to a standstill; The situation of bypassing a third country to evade control is clearly listed as a reporting situation, which increases the risk of transit trade. Overall, magnesium exports are accelerating from "wide entry and wide exit" to "strict management and control", and compliant operation has become the bottom line for enterprise survival.

In May, China's magnesium product exports fell 4% MoM to 37.6kt. Magnesium ingot exports rose 13.7% MoM on auto and aluminum demand, while magnesium powder and alloy dropped 31.3% and 22.5% due to weak overseas demand. Japan's Jan-May imports surged 76.6% YoY, likely front-loaded, with downside risks in H2. Full-year exports are still expected to see modest growth despite headwinds from freight costs and maintenance shutdowns.

In April, China's magnesium exports fell 21.9% MoM to 39kt but rose 2.7% YoY. Jan-Apr exports totaled 162kt, up 9.6% YoY. Europe led ingot demand, Japan saw high compliance prices, and North America drove alloy growth. The overall outlook remains positive.

[SMM Data: Complete Summary of SMM March 2026 Import and Export Data] SMM March 2026 import and export data showed: copper cathode net imports were down YoY; primary aluminum imports reached 255,000 mt, up 14.8% YoY; refined lead imports climbed sharply; zinc ingot imports were up 220% MoM; tin ore imports were up 122% YoY; silver imports were up 93% MoM; steel exports rebounded MoM; PV module export value was up 122.7% MoM; silicon metal exports were up 43% MoM, and magnesium exports hit a multi-year high. Among new energy materials, exports of LiPF6 and artificial graphite surged significantly.