Export & compliance · since 2016
Exporting metal powder from China
A powder order is only complete when it arrives. Three things delay metal powder shipments more than production: export-control licensing, dangerous-goods transport and documents that do not match. We have handled all three for our customers since 2016.
What makes metal powder export difficult
| Issue | What it means for your order | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-use export control | Some metal powders — titanium and titanium-alloy powders among them — fall under China's dual-use export controls and need an export licence. Samples are not exempt. | We check the classification of your grade and size at quotation and prepare the licence application together with the manufacturer. |
| Licence review time | The ordinary licence review period is 45 working days from acceptance, and can be longer when extra checks apply. | Your quotation gives a ship date that includes licensing time, not only production time. |
| End user and end use | A licence application needs end-user and end-use evidence. Names, quantities, specifications and use must agree across every document. | We tell you exactly which statements we need and check them against the contract and invoice before filing. |
| Dangerous-goods transport | Depending on the alloy and particle size, fine metal powder can be classed as dangerous goods. Airlines and forwarders ask for a transport classification report and an SDS before they accept it. | We arrange the transport classification, the matching packaging and labels, and book carriers that accept the material. |
| Customs documents | Invoice, packing list, COA, SDS, licence and end-user statement are checked against each other at the border. | We prepare them as one consistent set for each shipment. |
Export-control rules we work with
Summary reviewed October 2026. Rules change; we recheck them for every quotation. This is not legal advice.
This summary is more than a year old. Current rules are confirmed in every quotation.
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Dual-use licensing
Article 14 of the PRC Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items requires a licence for listed or temporarily controlled items, and allows consultation when classification is uncertain.
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Titanium powder: list entry 1C111
The 2026 dual-use import/export licensing directory (MOFCOM and China Customs) includes titanium under entry 1C111.b.1.d, covering specified metal powders with particles smaller than 500 µm.
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Samples are normal exports
MOFCOM's application guidance (FAQ 13) treats controlled samples and laboratory samples as normal exports for licensing. A small package does not replace the review.
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Review period
Article 17 sets an ordinary decision period of 45 working days from acceptance, subject to exceptions. It is not a delivery promise.
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End-user restrictions
MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024 prohibits dual-use exports to US military users or for military uses. Announcement No. 72 of 2025 temporarily suspended its second paragraph (status at our October 2026 review); the military-user prohibition was not suspended. Check the notice in force on your shipment date.
Detailed walk-through for titanium: Buying titanium powder from China — grades, export and lead time.
What we need from you
Grade, size, quantity
Classification depends on the exact alloy and particle size.
End user
Company name and address of the user — not only the buyer or forwarder.
End use
What the powder will be used for, e.g. LPBF parts for industrial pumps.
Destination
Country and delivery terms; some routes need extra documents.
Packaging and shipping
About the company →- Aluminium-foil bag
- Very small quantities and paid samples
- 1 kg sealed pack
- Minimum standard package
- Drum
- Production lots
- Documents
- Lot COA, particle-size report, SDS, transport classification, invoice and packing list
- Routes
- Air, sea or courier — chosen by the powder's transport classification and your destination
Ask about export for your grade
Grade, quantity and destination are enough to start. We reply from info@szcomo.com.
Inquiry received
Thank you. We will reply from info@szcomo.com.
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