In the January-March period this year, China’s finished steel exports amounted to 24.717 million mt, decreasing by 9.9 percent year on year, according to the latest data released by China's General Administration of Customs (GACC). This is the expected result after the implementation of the export license policy starting from January 2026, which has exerted a negative impact on finished steel exports. Meanwhile, starting from March, the war in the Middle East also negatively affected China’s steel exports.
In March alone, China’s finished steel exports amounted to 9.135 million mt, which is also 12.6 percent lower than in the same month in 2025, signaling that export activity is definitely lower than the peak seen last year. Nevertheless, the March figure is also 16.6 percent higher month on month amid the low February base due to holidays and fewer working days. Also, demand for Chinese steel improved following the Chinese New Year holiday, resulting in the month-on-month rise in steel exports in March.
A monthly export volume above 9 million mt is still assessed as “good” by market sources, considering the logistical challenges, volatile costs and high competition.
In the first three months this year, China’s finished steel imports totaled 1.339 million mt, down 14.1 percent year on year.