Recently, China’s Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs introduced new export control measures covering specific lithium battery and graphite-related materials. This policy update signals a broader effort to improve the traceability and compliance of high-performance energy technologies across global supply chains.

Lithium Battery Segment Controls

The control list now includes rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with energy densities of 300 Wh/kg or higher, along with the production equipment and technical processes required to manufacture them. Tools such as winding and stacking systems, electrolyte filling units, and formation systems are now subject to oversight. These additions reflect a growing recognition of the strategic importance of advanced lithium battery technology in electric mobility and energy storage.

Cathode Materials Oversight

The regulation also extends to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) cathodes meeting specific density and capacity thresholds, as well as NCM and NCA hydroxide precursors used in high-energy cells. The inclusion of lithium-rich manganese-based materials and their manufacturing systems underscores the industry’s ongoing focus on improving energy density while maintaining safety and cycle stability.

Graphite Anode Sector Regulation

Artificial graphite, and blends of artificial and natural graphite, are now within the control scope. The listed equipment covers granulation, graphitization, and coating modification technologies, including large furnaces and CVD rotary kilns. The measures also reference critical process technologies such as continuous graphitization and liquid-phase coating, key to enhancing conductivity and performance in next-generation batteries.

Implications for the Industry

Exporters handling these products will be required to apply for export licenses and provide detailed technical documentation to customs. This development highlights an accelerating global trend toward stricter material traceability, compliance management, and transparent manufacturing standards—factors that will likely influence the way suppliers and OEMs coordinate cross-border production.

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