China from May 2019 to accept applications for licenses to import non-ferrous metal scrap

The recycling branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association said Chinese authorities would start accepting applications for licenses to import soon-to-be-restricted types of metal scrap from May 2019.

China has long been trying to restrict scrap imports as part of a campaign against foreign solid waste. Imports of low-grade copper scrap such as coiled cable and waste motors known as ‘Category 7’ are already banned since the beginning of 2019. The imports of eight further kinds of scrap, including high-grade scrap copper known as ‘Category 6’, as well as types of aluminium and steel scrap would be restricted from July 1.

The recycling association said in a statement that provincial units of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment can start collecting applications for licenses to import these eight items from late May.

From July 1, the ministry itself will formally accept and approve import licence applications, said the government, but did not mention the total tonnage quota available.

According to China Customs data, China’s total non-ferrous metal scrap imports in 2018 were one-third down compared with 2017, as the country had slapped retaliatory tariffs on scrap imports from the United States.

The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association said that while working on achieving zero imports of solid waste by 2020, it would also work with relevant departments to create a new set of national standards on recycled copper, aluminium, and other raw materials.