Policy Brief | Updated: 20 August 2026

China remains the world’s most important supplier and processor of rare-earth materials and permanent magnets, particularly NdFeB (neodymium-iron-boron) magnets.

As of 20 August 2026, China’s rare-earth export regime should not be interpreted as a blanket export ban on permanent magnets. Instead, the current framework combines:

• Export controls on specified medium and heavy rare-earth materials and related permanent magnets introduced in April 2025;

• A temporary suspension, until 10 November 2026, of a broader package of rare-earth export controls announced in October 2025;

• Licensing and end-use/end-user compliance requirements for controlled items;

• Increasingly detailed official guidance on how to distinguish controlled permanent magnets from deeply processed downstream products.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has repeatedly stated that compliant civilian export applications can be approved and that the measures are intended as export controls rather than a general export prohibition.

The November 2025 suspension explicitly covers several October 2025 announcements, but does not suspend the April 2025 Announcement No. 18. The latter therefore remains an important part of the current compliance framework.

On 4 April 2025, MOFCOM and the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 18 of 2025, imposing export controls on certain medium and heavy rare-earth-related items.

For permanent magnets, the announcement specifically covers:

1. Samarium-cobalt (SmCo) permanent magnet materials;

2. Terbium-containing NdFeB permanent magnet materials;

3. Dysprosium-containing NdFeB permanent magnet materials.

The official announcement clarifies that controlled permanent magnet materials include both magnets and magnetic powders. Exporters must apply for an export license from the competent commercial authority of the State Council.

The policy does not mean that every NdFeB magnet exported from China automatically requires an export license.

The critical issue is whether the magnet falls within the specified rare-earth composition and product scope.

For buyers, the most important technical questions are therefore:

• Does the NdFeB magnet contain dysprosium (Dy)?

• Does it contain terbium (Tb)?

• Is the product a controlled SmCo permanent magnet?

• Is the item a magnet/magnetic powder or a substantially further-processed downstream product?

In May 2026, China's Export Control Information website published further guidance concerning the identification of medium and heavy rare-earth-related products.

The guidance states that simple processed products made from:

• Samarium-cobalt permanent magnet materials;

• Terbium-containing NdFeB permanent magnet materials; or

• Dysprosium-containing NdFeB permanent magnet materials

—such as magnet blocks, tiles, rings and related magnetic components—remain within the relevant controlled scope.

By contrast, products that have undergone deeper processing into electronic components or finished electronic products, such as motors, speakers and headphones, are generally outside the scope of the April 2025 rare-earth permanent-magnet control.

This distinction is particularly important for international manufacturers purchasing magnets from China.

On 9 October 2025, China announced a further expansion of rare-earth export controls.

The October measures covered, among other things:

• Certain rare-earth equipment and raw materials;

• Additional medium and heavy rare-earth elements;

• Certain rare-earth-related products manufactured outside China;

• Certain rare-earth-related technologies;

• Technology relating to rare-earth mining, separation, metal refining and magnetic-material manufacturing.

The technology provisions were especially significant because they covered technologies associated with magnetic-material manufacturing, including relevant production-line installation, maintenance, upgrading and related technical information.

However, on 7 November 2025, MOFCOM and the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 70 of 2025, suspending the implementation of Announcements Nos. 55, 56, 57, 58, 61 and 62.

The suspension remains in effect until 10 November 2026.

Therefore, as of August 2026:

The October 2025 expansion is temporarily suspended, but the April 2025 rare-earth controls remain an important active regulatory basis.

China has repeatedly emphasized that its rare-earth export controls are not equivalent to a complete export ban.

In April 2026, MOFCOM stated that export applications meeting the relevant requirements, including applications for genuine civilian use, would be approved in accordance with the law.

MOFCOM also confirmed that the October 2025 measures remained suspended until 10 November 2026, in accordance with the China-US economic and trade understanding.

This means that international companies should distinguish between:

These are not the same.

For controlled products, the normal principle is licensing and regulatory review, rather than an automatic prohibition.

For controlled rare-earth permanent magnets, exporters must follow China's dual-use export control procedures.

The official April 2025 announcement requires exporters to apply for the relevant export license and identify controlled items during customs declaration. Where applicable, the dual-use item control number must be provided.

China's export-control system provides for online application procedures for dual-use export licenses. MOFCOM's guidance states that the application process has been digitized and that applications are reviewed through the relevant government system.

For exporters, a practical compliance file should therefore include:

• Product specification;

• Chemical composition;

• Rare-earth element content;

• Product drawings;

• Magnet grade;

• End user;

• End use;

• Destination country;

• Commercial contract;

• Product classification/control code;

• Export license documentation, where required.

China's export-control framework places significant emphasis on end users and end uses.

In the October 2025 framework, exports involving military users or certain sensitive end uses were subject to particularly restrictive treatment. Although those October measures are currently suspended, the broader Chinese dual-use export-control framework remains relevant to controlled products.

For international purchasers, this means that a Chinese supplier may request additional information regarding:

• The final customer;

• The final destination;

• The application of the magnet;

• Whether the product will be resold;

• Whether the product will enter a military or sensitive supply chain.

• 

For companies purchasing Chinese NdFeB magnets, the most important issue is material composition.

Products containing:

Dysprosium (Dy)
→ High-temperature/high-coercivity NdFeB applications

Terbium (Tb)
→ High-performance NdFeB applications

Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo)
→ High-temperature permanent magnet applications

These products should receive particular export-control screening.

A conventional NdFeB magnet that does not fall within the specified controlled rare-earth composition may not automatically be a controlled item under Announcement No. 18.

However, exporters should not determine classification solely from the product name. Composition, technical parameters, processing stage and the applicable control list should all be checked.

China's policy creates several practical implications for international manufacturers.

The suspension of the October 2025 measures through November 2026 reduces immediate regulatory uncertainty for many international buyers.

The April 2025 controls remain relevant to specific rare-earth permanent magnets, particularly Dy- and Tb-containing NdFeB and SmCo products.

The difference between:

raw material → magnetic material → permanent magnet → magnet component → finished motor/electronic product

can have important regulatory consequences.

Even during the current suspension period, international manufacturers should not assume that the regulatory environment will remain unchanged after 10 November 2026.

Recent market reporting has highlighted renewed concern about possible restrictions as the November 2026 suspension deadline approaches.

Before placing a large order for Chinese rare-earth magnets, companies should verify:

• Exact rare-earth composition of the magnet

• Whether Dy or Tb is present

• Whether the product is SmCo

• Whether the item is a magnet, magnetic powder, component or finished product

• Applicable Chinese dual-use export-control classification

• Chinese export-license requirement

• Final user and final-use information

• Destination-country requirements

• Supplier's export-control compliance capability

• Lead time for potential license review

• Alternative suppliers or non-Chinese sources

• Inventory requirements before 10 November 2026

MOFCOM's June 2026 compliance measure specifically strengthens mechanisms for reporting suspected violations involving unauthorized exports, exports outside the scope of licenses, prohibited exports, and attempts to circumvent controls.

China has not imposed a blanket ban on rare-earth permanent-magnet exports.

Instead, the current policy can be summarized as:

Targeted export controls + licensing + end-use/end-user review + temporary suspension of the October 2025 expansion.

For the permanent-magnet industry, the most important active issue remains the control of certain SmCo, Dy-containing NdFeB and Tb-containing NdFeB materials and magnets under the April 2025 framework.

For international buyers, the immediate risk of a sudden broad restriction is reduced by the suspension of the October 2025 measures through 10 November 2026. Nevertheless, companies should prepare for possible policy changes around that date and maintain detailed product-classification and export-compliance records.

China's rare-earth permanent-magnet export policy in 2026 is best understood as a controlled-export regime rather than a general export prohibition.

The key message for international manufacturers is:

Do not treat all Chinese NdFeB magnets as banned or freely exportable. Determine the exact rare-earth composition, processing stage, product classification, end user and end use, and confirm whether an export license is required.

For procurement and supply-chain planning, 10 November 2026 should be treated as a major policy-monitoring date because it is the scheduled end of the current suspension of the broader October 2025 rare-earth export-control measures.

• Ministry of Commerce of China, Announcement No. 18 of 2025 — export controls on selected medium and heavy rare-earth-related items.

• Ministry of Commerce & General Administration of Customs, Announcement No. 70 of 2025 — suspension of specified October 2025 export-control measures until 10 November 2026.

• China Export Control Information — official guidance on the identification of controlled rare-earth permanent magnets.

• MOFCOM, April 2026 — confirmation that the October 2025 measures remain suspended until 10 November 2026 and that compliant civilian export applications may be approved.

Note: This document is an informational policy brief, not legal advice. For an actual shipment, the exporter should confirm classification and licensing requirements with China's competent authorities and customs authorities based on the specific product specification and end-use.