China to require export permits on some graphite products from Dec 1

Economy

Published Oct 19, 2023 10:51PM ET

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Trucks travel past containers at the Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai, China January 13, 2022. Picture taken January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will require export permits for some graphite products from Dec. 1 to protect national security, the commerce ministry said on Friday, in the latest move to control supplies of critical raw materials.

Graphite is used in batteries for electric vehicles and China is the world's top producer, producing 67% of global supplies, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Top buyers from China include Japan, India and South Korea, according to Chinese customs data.

Under the new restrictions, China will require buyers of three types of "highly sensitive" graphite items to apply for permits.

The curbs are similar to those in place since Aug. 1 for two chip-making metals, gallium and germanium. The restrictions have slashed exports of the metals from China in recent months.