China to Begin Issuing Scrap Metal Licenses, Quotas in June

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment is expected to begin issuing import licenses and assign a first batch of import quotas by the end of June for restricted scrap metal shipments. As of July, China will restrict imports of high-grade copper scrap, as well as aluminum and steel scrap, to increase its scrutiny of scrap metal traders and processors.

According to a South China Morning Post report, traders and scrap metal importers will have to prove they have the capacity to process scrap into refined metal or semi-finished products, such as a copper cathode or rods, in order to qualify for licenses and quotas.

South China Morning Post has more information

China aims to grant import licences and assign a first batch of import quotas by the end of June for soon-to-be restricted scrap metal shipments, a government spokesman said, earlier than anticipated by the industry.

The recycling branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association said in April that the environment ministry would only formally accept import licence applications from July 1.

China will restrict imports of high-grade Category 6 copper scrap from July, as well as aluminium and steel scrap, an extension of a ban that started this year on Category 7 scrap, which has a lower metal content.

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