On February 28, 2025, China’s new national standard “GB/T 20424-2025 Specification for Limits of Harmful Elements in Heavy Nonferrous Metal Concentrates” (hereinafter referred to as the “New National Standard”) replaced GB/T 20424-2006, and the new national standard will be officially implemented on September 1, 2025. This standard puts forward stricter requirements on the limits of harmful elements such as arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), fluorine (F), and chromium (Cr) in imported heavy nonferrous metal concentrates (such as copper, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, antimony, cobalt, etc.), and is expected to have a profound impact on the customs clearance process of China’s import mineral companies. This article will analyze from multiple dimensions such as technical interpretation, customs clearance risks, and corporate response strategies.
1. Requirements for toxic and harmful elements in customs declaration and clearance of imported ore
Copper concentrate
Requirements for toxic and harmful elements in customs declaration and clearance of imported copper concentrate
Lead Concentrate
Requirements for toxic and hazardous elements in customs declaration and clearance of imported lead concentrate
Zinc Concentrate
Requirements for toxic and hazardous elements in customs clearance of imported zinc concentrate
Tin concentrate
Requirements for toxic and hazardous elements in customs clearance of imported tin concentrate
Mixed lead-zinc concentrate
Requirements for toxic and harmful elements in customs declaration and clearance of imported mixed lead-zinc concentrate
Nickel concentrate
Requirements for toxic and hazardous elements in customs declaration and clearance of imported nickel concentrate
Cobalt concentrate
Requirements for toxic and hazardous elements in customs clearance of imported cobalt concentrate
Antimony concentrate
Requirements for toxic and hazardous elements in customs clearance of imported antimony concentrate
2. The impact of the new national standard on the customs clearance and timeliness of imported ores
2.1. Due to the increase in testing items, the time for the laboratory to issue results will be extended for a certain period of time.
2.2. Some mines that are importing and mining may become unqualified minerals due to the release of the new national standard, and there is a risk of return when importing.
3. Response strategies for imported ore trading companies
3.1. Pre-inspection at loading port: Entrust a testing agency (such as SGS, CCIC) to conduct pre-inspection before shipment to ensure compliance with the new national standard.
3.2. Contract quality assurance clause: Clearly state that the seller must bear the loss of return shipment due to excessive harmful elements (including storage fees, late reporting fees, etc.). Customs clearance + Colinxlwu, testing standard binding: Indicate in the trade contract that “GB/T 20424-2025 is used as the final acceptance basis”.
3.3. Ore pretreatment: Add flotation, roasting and other processes abroad to reduce the content of harmful elements.
3.4. Find foreign mines that meet the new national standards to cooperate and avoid return risks.
4. Expanded knowledge on customs clearance of imported ores
4.1. Radioactivity requirements for imported non-ferrous metal ores
Natural radionuclide activity concentration
The activity concentration limits of natural radionuclides -U, Ra, -Th, and K in non-ferrous metal mineral products are:
Screening level: Under the condition of measuring at 0.1m from the surface of the non-ferrous metal mineral product pile (diameter>2m, thickness>1m), the on-site detection screening level of the mineral product gamma radiation dose rate (including the environmental gamma background dose rate) is specified to be 400nGy/h.
Artificial radioactive nuclide contamination: Non-ferrous metal mineral products are prohibited from being contaminated by artificial radioactive nuclides or containing artificial radioactive materials or radiation sources.
4.2. Documents and information required for importing non-ferrous metal ores
Packing list, commercial invoice, trade contract, ocean/air waybill, test report, automatic import license (only for copper and iron ore), import and export rights, +Colinxlwu, blank stamped paper and other documents required by customs.
