[Copper Anode Customs Data] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 64,900 mt of copper anode (HS code: 74020000) in January 2026, up 5.74% MoM and up 1.48% YoY; China imported 56,900 mt of copper anode in February, down 12.33% MoM and up 0.81% YoY; cumulative copper anode imports in January-February 2026 reached 121,700 mt, up 1.16% YoY cumulatively.

[Copper Ingot Scrap Customs Data] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 46,800 mt of copper ingot scrap (red/purple copper ingots) (HS code: 74031900) in January 2026, up 24% MoM and up 58% YoY; China imported 50,600 mt of copper ingot scrap (red/purple copper ingots) in February, up 8% MoM and up 46% YoY; cumulative imports of copper ingot scrap (red/purple copper ingots) in January-February 2026 reached 97,300 mt, up 51% YoY on a cumulative basis.

Data released by the online query platform of customs statistics showed that China’s copper cathode imports in February 2026 were 203,588.22 mt, down 18.78% MoM and down 33.28% YoY. The DRC was the largest origin, with China importing 70,661.8 mt of copper cathode from the DRC during the month, down 33.06% MoM and down 28.63% YoY. Chile was the second-largest origin, with China importing 25,429.03 mt of copper cathode from Chile during the month, up 8.18% MoM and down 32.18% YoY. The following is a breakdown of China’s copper cathode imports in February 2026, compiled based on data from the official website of the General Administration of Customs: Source: General Administration of Customs Note: 1. Including unwrought copper cathode with a copper content >99.9935%; unwrought other refined copper cathode; unwrought refined copper wire bars; unwrought refined copper cathode sections; unwrought refined copper billets; and other unwrought refined copper. 2. The total imports (grand total) also include data for some origins not listed in the table above. (Wenhua Composite)

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China exported 12,052.46 mt of copper enamelled wire in January 2026, down 1.19% YoY; exports were 10,239.85 mt in February, up 39.64% YoY. In January-February 2026, cumulative exports of copper enamelled wire totaled 22,292.31 mt, up 14.14% YoY. (HS code 85441100)

Yesterday’s night session, copper prices opened lower with a gap, and some enterprises placed orders to restock at low levels. Intraday procurement demand increased somewhat, but given the concentrated replenishment on the previous day, actual incremental buying was limited. From the market structure perspective, the import arbitrage window widened slightly, and expectations for subsequent inflows of cargoes from outside China increased, which may put some pressure on the supply side. Overall, amid the tug-of-war between faster destocking and supplier sell-offs, Shanghai spot copper premiums are expected to remain at current levels tomorrow.

According to data released by the SHFE on March 20, SHFE copper warrants fell sharply across the board during the day, with total inventory down 18,528 mt from the previous trading day. The decline widened markedly from the previous trading day, and the degree of destocking further strengthened. By region, warrants in major consumption areas posted significant declines: Shanghai down 10,283 mt, Guangdong down 2,654 mt, and Jiangsu down 5,591 mt. Copper prices extended their decline during the day, and downstream enterprises showed strong enthusiasm for buying the dip. Suppliers actively made shipments as spot discounts narrowed, and a large volume of warrant cargo flowed out and was absorbed by downstream enterprises, reflecting the attractiveness of current price levels to downstream enterprises.

Data released by the online query platform for customs statistics showed that China imported 2,310,344.42 mt of copper ore and concentrates in February 2026, down 11.93% MoM and up 5.96% YoY. Chile was the largest origin, with imports of copper ore and concentrates from Chile totaling 747,321.72 mt in the month, down 4.27% MoM and down 1.33% YoY. Peru was the second-largest origin, with imports of copper ore and concentrates from Peru totaling 489,372.44 mt in the month, down 28.31% MoM and down 20.67% YoY. Below is a breakdown of China’s imports of copper ore and concentrates in February 2026, compiled based on data from the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China: Source: General Administration of Customs Note: The total import/export volume (grand total) also includes partial origin data not listed in the table above (Wenhua Composite)

KoBold Metals has officially commenced the development of the Mingomba Copper Project in Zambia, aiming to bring it into production by the early 2030s. The company is now fully advancing the permitting process, with key shaft-sinking operations expected to begin in early 2027.

Data released by the online query platform of customs statistics showed that China’s imports of copper ore and its concentrates in January 2026 were 2,623,162.74 mt, down 3.00% MoM and up 4.02% YoY. Chile was the largest origin, with China importing 780,640.92 mt of copper ore and its concentrates from Chile that month, down 21.10% MoM and down 7.54% YoY. Peru was the second-largest origin, with China importing 682,585.86 mt of copper ore and its concentrates from Peru that month, up 26.59% MoM and up 2.90% YoY. Below is a breakdown of China’s imports of copper ore and its concentrates in January 2026, compiled based on data from the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China: Source: General Administration of Customs Note: The total import/export volume (total) also includes data for some origins not listed in the table above (Wenhua Composite)

Spot #1 copper cathode in North China was quoted at discounts of 60 yuan/mt to parity against the front-month contract today. The average premium/discount fell by 30 yuan/mt from the previous trading day, and the average transaction price rose by 195 yuan/mt from the previous trading day to 95,840 yuan/mt.