Japan's import of aluminium alloy from China declined in the first three months of 2018. The country imported 73,393 tonnes of aluminium alloy in January-March, down 5 per cent YoY. The trend is expected to continue through 2018.

As seen by Shanghai Metals Market, the prices of ADC12 aluminium alloys exports to Japan dippedUS$20  per tonne to stand at US$2,050-2,060 per tonne in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area on Tuesday May 22 after prices in the Guangdong area lost US$20 per tonne to stand at US$2,050-2,060 per tonne fob on Monday May 21.

The prices of ADC12 aluminium alloys to Japan surged in the last two weeks after China categorised the China Certification and Inspection Group (CCIC) in North America under an A-level risk alert. The  month-long operation suspension of China Certification and Inspection Group (CCIC) at North America in May significantly lower the aluminium scrap imports from the US and shrink secondary aluminium exports as a consequence.

According to recent estimates, Japan’s import of aluminium alloy from China estimated to decline to 194263 tonnes in the first half of 2018, down from 194908 tonnes in the second half of 2017. The cost of import estimated to stand at USD 296 million in H1 2018. 

Japan is estimated to import 194151 tonnes of aluminium alloy from China in the second half of 2018. The cost of aluminium alloy import is projected to reach USD 283 million in H2 2018.