China implemented MOFCOM Announcement No. 26 of 2026 establishing a public reporting and handling mechanism for strategic mineral export control violations effective July 1, 2026.
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has set up a public system for reporting illegal exports of strategic minerals and related dual-use goods, in force from July 1, 2026, under MOFCOM Announcement No. 26 of 20261.
The announcement was dated June 24, 2026, and issued by the ministry’s security and control bureau1. Dual-use goods are items that can serve both civilian and military purposes.
In short, anyone can now report a company that ships controlled minerals out of China without the right licence. Exporters, freight agents, customs brokers and online platforms that help such shipments are now more likely to be reported and investigated.
Which minerals does China control?
The announcement covers exports of "strategic mineral dual-use items" and related technology1. It does not list the minerals itself. An earlier MOFCOM statement names gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten and medium and heavy rare earths as strategic minerals under export control2.
In October 2025, MOFCOM also issued Announcements No. 61 and No. 62 of 20253. These extended controls to some rare earth items made abroad with Chinese content, and to rare earth technology3.
What can be reported under Announcement No. 26?
Any organisation or person may report suspected illegal exports1. The announcement lists 13 kinds of violation. The main ones are:
- exporting without a licence, or beyond the scope, conditions or validity of the licence;
- exporting items that are banned from export;
- splitting goods into parts or components to avoid a licence;
- sending goods through a third country or region to avoid the controls;
- dealing with importers or end users on the control list.
Main exports that can be reported
The list also covers illegal transfer of controlled technology1. This includes transfer through licensing, investment, exhibitions, testing, joint research, employment or consulting1.
Can freight agents and brokers be reported?
Yes. Service providers can be reported if they know an exporter is breaking the rules and still help1. The announcement names agency, freight, delivery, customs declaration services, third-party e-commerce platforms and financial services1.
Helping or encouraging exporters, importers or end users to avoid the controls can also be reported1. So the whole chain of a shipment, not only the seller, falls under the new system.
What must exporters do beyond the control list?
Some goods are not on China’s control list but may still need a licence. An exporter must apply to MOFCOM if it knows, or should know, that such mineral-related goods, technology or services carry the risks named in Article 12 of the Export Control Law1. Failing to apply is a reportable violation1.
Chinese importers and end users that break promises made to MOFCOM can also be reported1. So can anyone who accepts, without permission, a foreign government’s request for a visit or on-site check linked to these controls1.
How are reports made and handled?
The announcement gives two ways to report1:
- an online reporting platform on the website of MOFCOM’s industrial security and import-export control bureau;
- a telephone line, 010-12369, open on working days from 8:30 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 17:00.
How a report moves through MOFCOM
Reports must be in Chinese, and the reporter is responsible for their truth1. A report should give details of the reporter, the company reported and the specific violation1. MOFCOM will not accept reports that fall outside the 13 listed cases, lack key details, or repeat a case already closed1.
For reports made under a real name, MOFCOM will tell the reporter whether the report was accepted1. If the report proves true, MOFCOM may give a reward for named reporters1. Malicious false reports will be dealt with by law1.
Does self-reporting reduce penalties?
Yes. An exporter that finds, or suspects, its own violation should report itself to MOFCOM1. A voluntary self-report will be considered when deciding on a lighter or reduced penalty1.
Staff handling reports must keep state secrets, business secrets and personal data confidential1. Reports about strategic mineral technology exports under the Regulations on Technology Import and Export follow the same rules1.
Why is China tightening enforcement now?
On May 9, 2025, China’s national export control coordination office launched a special campaign against smuggling of strategic minerals2. The ministries of commerce, public security and state security took part, with the customs agency, the top court and prosecutors, and the postal authority2.
From campaign to reporting system
The meeting said some foreign entities had worked with people inside China to smuggle minerals out2. It named false declarations, hiding goods inside other cargo and re-export through a "third country" as typical methods2. It also called for closer customs cooperation between mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao2.
In October 2025, a MOFCOM spokesperson said the anti-smuggling campaign had achieved positive results3. The new reporting system, in force since July 1, 2026, means every shipment of these minerals can be reported by any organisation or person1.
Sources
- ↩ 商务部公告2026年第26号 公布关于进一步完善战略矿产两用物项出口管制违法违规行为举报处理工作有关事项 https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/zcfb/dwmygl/art/2026/art_c07f4d54ca1343969d05dc5a76bc2f0b.html
- ↩ 国家出口管制工作协调机制办公室部署开展打击战略矿产走私 …. https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/syxwfb/art/2025/art_61943875866b46aa93d768080b4e6822.html
- ↩ 商务部新闻发言人就加强稀土相关物项出口管制应询答记者问 https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfb/xwfyrth/art/2025/art_16a0593dcadd4030959c3691cf39bb26.html