What special qualifications are required for ore exports?

According to the latest Implementing Regulations of the Mineral Resources Law of 2025,to engage in ore export business,one must simultaneously meet the following requirements:

• Basicqualifications:
  • AEO(AuthorizedEconomicOperator)AdvancedCertificationqualificationfromcustoms
  • FilingfortheTransportationofDangerousGoods(forRadioactiveOres)
• Industry License:
  • MiningLicense(certificate)
  • MembershipoftheChinaChamberofCommerceforMetals,Minerals&ChemicalsImporters&Exporters(forstrategicmetalores)

It’s worth noting that the new ESG mineral traceability system implemented by the European Union in 2025 requires exporters to provide a complete carbon footprint report for their supply chains,which has become a new entry barrier.

How to choose compliant oresA professional agency company should have the following characteristics:

A high-quality agency should possess the following characteristics:

• Over10yearsintheminingindustryOperationalexperience
• HoldingFIATAcertificationforinternationalfreightforwarding.
• Wehaveourowncustomsclearanceteamsatmajororeports(suchasCaofeidianandLianyungang).
• FamiliarwiththelatestrevisedtermsofINCOTERMS2025.

Typical case: In 2024,an exporter of manganese ore was faced with the situation that the entire shipment of goods was detained due to the fact that the agent company was not familiar with the new regulations of Indonesia,resulting in direct losses of 370,000 US dollars.

What is the specific process for ore export agency?

The standard operating procedure consists of 7 key nodes:

• OrecompositiontestingandHScodeclassification
• Pre-auditofImportLicenseinDestinationCountry
• Customizedlogisticssolutions(specialattentiontobulkvesselschedulematching)
• Pre-shipmentradioactiveinspection(inaccordancewithIAEAstandards)
• Cross-bordersettlementsolutiondesign(recommendedtousetheCross-borderInterbankPaymentSystem,CIPS)
• Pre-screeningofAnti-dumpingDutiesatDestinationPort
• ElectronicBillofLadingBlockchainNotarization

How are the agency fees for ore exports structured?

The standard cost structure for 2025 includes the following:

• :Forlow-valuegoods,someagencycompaniesmayadoptafixed-feemodel,whichisabout1500yuan,butthisamountisnegotiable.:
  • Agencyservicefee:0.6%-1.2%ofthecargovalue
  • Inspectionfee:2000-5000RMBperbatch
• Variable fees:
  • Surcharge(includingLowSulfurFuelSurcharge)
  • Anti-dumpingdepositattheportofdestination

It is recommended to clearly stipulate the apportionment ratio of demurrage charges in the contract.The average demurrage charge for ore transportation in 2024 has already reached $12,000 per day.

How to avoid legal risks in mineral exports?

The three types of risks that will be given priority attention in 2025 are:

• TradeComplianceRisks:
  • RestrictionsonrareearthmineralsundertheU.S.EARregulations
  • TheEUConflictMineralsRegulation(extendedto12typesofmineralsin2025)
• Quality dispute risk:
  • ErrorcontrolbetweenSGSinspectionattheloadingportandBVinspectionatthedischargingport
• Logistics risks:
  • AdditionalClausesforSomaliPiracyInsurance
  • PanamaCanalTransitReservationSystem

What special documents are required for ore exports?

In addition to the regular trade documents,special attention should be paid to:

• CertificateofRadioactiveInspectionatOrigin(CompliantwithIAEASSR-6Standard)
• Non-ConflictMineralsReport(ApplicabletoMineralsfromRegionsSuchastheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo)
• RareEarthElementContentAnalysisForm(ApplicabletoU.S.Importers)
• EUCarbonBorderAdjustmentMechanism(CBAM)DeclarationDocument

What are the new trends in ore exports in 2025?

Industry monitoring reveals three major changes:

• Thepopularityofdigitalcustomsdeclarationhasincreasedto78%(enforcedbytheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsin2025).
• Themainimportingcountriesrequireelectroniccertificatesoforigintobelinkedwithblockchain.
• Thegreenshippingclausehasledtoa15%-20%increaseinmaritimetransportcosts.

It is recommended that exporters proactively deploy an EDI system to interface with the Single Window for Customs and purchase carbon credits to hedge against CBAM costs.