China Implements Drastic Changes to Scrap Metal Inspection Rules

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Chinese administration intends to overhaul the inspection procedures for secondary metals that are shipped to that country. The China Certification and Inspection Group (CCIC) had earlier announced ban on scrap metal exports to the country effective 1^st January, 2021.

Accordingly, exports can be only in the form of recycled metal, for which the inspection formalities will be completely different from those for metal waste. As per reports, traders have already been asked by government authorities to attend training sessions to get familiarized with the new procedures.

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The scrap metals that will be subject to tougher contamination standards with effect from July 1^st this year include scrap copper, aluminum and brass. The Chinese ports will allow imports of these non-ferrous scrap metals only if it passes the new stringent contamination standards. Also, the imports of these will be completely banned starting 2021. The Ministry has not yet declared revised contamination standards for ferrous metals.

The English version of the document outlining the proposed rule changes is yet to be published. The country’s scrap demand is expected to rebound sharply, as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. Meantime, the new inspection procedures are likely to result in high inspection costs.