China has announced new export control measures on multiple components used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries and cathode materials, according to the country’s Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs.

Exporters aiming to export the listed items must apply for a license under the relevant provisions of China’s Export Control Law and regulations on export control of dual-use items.

The export control measures will take effect on November 8, 2025.

The export curbs will impact the following items:

Lithium battery-related items

• Rechargeable and dischargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries (including cells and battery packs) with a minimum weight-energy density of 300 Wh/kg
•  Equipment for manufacturing such batteries, including winding machines, lamination machines, liquid injection machines, heat press, chemical components, content systems, and capacity cabinets
• Technology for the production of items controlled by Li-ion rechargeable and dischargeable batteries

Cathode materials

• Lithium iron phosphate cathode materials with a minimum compacted density of 2.5 g/cm³ and a minimum gram capacity of 156 mAh/g
• Items related to precursors of ternary cathode materials, including nickel-cobalt-manganese and nickel-cobalt-aluminum hydroxides
• Lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials
• Equipment for manufacturing positive electrode materials for rechargeable Li-ion batteries, including roller kilns, high-speed mixers, sand grinders, and air flow mills

Graphite anode materials

• Artificial graphite anode materials
• Anode materials consisting of a mixture of artificial and natural graphite
• Granulation equipment for producing graphite anode materials. These include vertical and continuous granulation kettles with a minimum granulation volume of 5 m³
• Graphitization equipment for producing graphite anode materials, including box furnaces, acheson furnaces, internal string furnaces, and continuous graphitization furnaces
• Coating and modification equipment for producing graphite anode materials. These include fusion coating equipment with a volume greater than 300 l, spray drying equipment with a volume greater than 60 m³, and chemical vapor deposition rotary kilns with barrel diameters greater than 0.5 m
• Processes and technologies for producing graphite anode materials, including granulation processes, continuous graphitization technology, and liquid phase coating technology

In May this year, the U.S. Department of Commerce determined preliminary countervailing duties of up to 721% on imports of active anode material from China, which is crucial to battery manufacturing.

In October 2023, China’s Commerce Ministry announced ‘temporary’ export control of sensitive graphite products, including highly sensitive spheroidized graphite.