[Latest Data from the General Administration of Customs] In March 2026, China's copper-zinc alloy (brass) bar, rod, and billet export value was $6.2797 million, up 23.24% MoM and up 138.25% YoY. The cumulative export value from January to March 2026 reached $18.0847 million, up 164.78% YoY cumulatively. (HS code 74072111, 74072119, 74072190).

[Latest Data from the General Administration of Customs] In March 2026, China's exports of copper-zinc alloy (brass) bars and rods totaled 740.09 mt in physical content, up 122.98% YoY and up 28.2% MoM. Cumulative exports from January to March 2026 reached 2,078.08 mt in physical content, up 158% YoY (HS codes 74072111, 74072119, 74072190).

[SMM Brass Billet News] The brass billet market will continue to face the cyclical challenge of "high costs, low demand, and weak expectations" in the short term. Raw material copper prices staying high have pushed up production costs, and end-use consumption has yet to recover significantly, leading to sluggish market trading. SMM expects the brass billet import market to continue operating at low levels in Q2 2026.

[SMM Brass Billet News Flash] Import value side, the import value in March was $26.0562 million, up 105.94% MoM and up 30.62% YoY. The cumulative import value from January to March 2026 was $56.3455 million, up 17.38% YoY cumulatively.

[SMM Brass Billet News Flash] In terms of import origins, South Korea remained China's largest source of brass billet imports, with March imports of 1,189.35 mt, up 186.6% MoM and up 1.15% YoY, accounting for 42.52%. Japan ranked second, with March imports of 713.4 mt, up 132.48% MoM and up 40% YoY, accounting for 25.51%.

According to the latest customs data, China's imports of copper-zinc alloy (brass) bars and rods totaled 2,796.93 mt in physical content in March 2026, up 3.37% YoY and up significantly 107.97% MoM.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China's copper plate/sheet and strip exports in March 2026 reached 11,612.2 mt, up 38.32% MoM and up 10.14% YoY. From January to March, China's cumulative copper plate/sheet and strip exports totaled 33,241.21 mt, up 16.95% YoY cumulatively.

[Latest Data from the General Administration of Customs] China's imports of copper-zinc alloy (brass) billet and rod in March 2026 were 2,796.93 mt in physical content, up 3.37% YoY and up 107.97% MoM. Cumulative imports from January to March 2026 were 6,191.8 mt in physical content, down 4.38% YoY (HS code 74072111, 74072119, 74072190).

According to customs data, the export product mix of copper plate/sheet and strip showed notable divergence in March. Copper strip (YoY +14.3%, accounting for 69%) served as the core growth engine, while brass strip (YoY -16.5%, accounting for 14%) remained weak, with the "copper up, brass down" pattern unchanged. Cupronickel strip and other categories saw significant YoY export growth, effectively offsetting the decline and driving overall positive YoY export growth for the industry.

[SMM Brass Billet News Flash] This week (4.10-4.16), the operating rate of the brass billet industry was recorded at 53.68%, down 1.03 percentage points WoW. Copper prices fluctuated at highs, market trading was subdued, and new orders weakened; recycled brass raw materials remained tight, raw material inventories fell to 4.31 days, and finished product inventories rose to 5.42 days. The operating rate is expected to continue declining by 0.32 percentage points WoW to 53.36% next week (4.17-4.23).