China Halts Gallium, Germanium, Antimony Ban for US, But Licensing Still Required

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China has suspended a ban on exports of gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States, Reuters reported. However, China’s commerce ministry stated on Nov. 9 that Beijing’s licenses are still required for wider export restrictions on the metals.

China limited exports of the three metals from August 2023 to September 2024, then banned them to the U.S. in December because of U.S. chip restrictions. The ban created shortages for U.S. buyers, prompting some importers to use other countries to send needed goods, such as those used in semiconductors.

The suspension marks the latest easing of China’s mineral export controls following the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea during the APEC Summit on Oct. 30. The suspension took effect on Nov. 9 and will last until Nov. 27, 2026, the ministry said.

However, the decision did not revoke the earlier decisions to add the three metals to the dual-use export control list, meaning exporters will still require licenses for foreign sales.

The Nov. 9 announcement also did not revoke the decision to ban exports of any dual-use item to U.S. military users, which was introduced alongside the metals ban last December. The ministry also suspended stricter checks for exporters seeking licenses to ship certain types of dual-use graphite to the U.S.