China Rare Earth Export Controls
Updated August 2026
China's 2025 rare earth export controls put new attention on dysprosium, terbium, and permanent magnet materials that contain controlled heavy rare earth elements. Axis Magnetics helps teams review the magnet-side sourcing questions: whether the current NdFeB specification depends on Dy/Tb, what comparison data a factory can provide, and whether HRE-Free NdFeB, dysprosium-free magnets, SmCo, bonded, ferrite, coating, or assembly-level changes can meet the required magnet performance or specs.
Each review starts with the application, then works through material, coating, magnetization, validation, origin, and production requirements.
The practical issue is not only whether a magnet is rare earth. Buyers need to know whether the material family, grade direction, heavy rare earth content, origin, destination, end use, or customer flow-downs create a license or documentation review before parts can move.
MOFCOM Announcement No. 18 of 2025 listed export controls for several medium and heavy rare earth related items, including terbium-containing NdFeB, dysprosium-containing NdFeB, and samarium-cobalt permanent magnet materials. Controlled permanent magnet materials include magnets or magnetic powders, and exporters must apply for a license for controlled items. SmCo therefore also requires a composition and licensing review when considered as an alternative.
The IEA's 2026 rare earth analysis describes permanent magnets as the fastest-growing and most strategically important rare earth application by value, with high-performance NdFeB often using dysprosium and terbium as performance-enhancing additives. It also reported that China accounted for 94% of sintered permanent magnet production in 2024, which is why export-control changes can quickly become sourcing and production-continuity problems.
Dysprosium and terbium are often used when NdFeB applications need higher coercivity or temperature margin. If an existing drawing calls for a Dy/Tb-containing grade, the sourcing path should compare magnetic output, intrinsic coercivity, temperature behavior, geometry, coating, magnetization, inspection method, and validation requirements.
A composition review should distinguish HRE-Free NdFeB from grades specified only as dysprosium-free or terbium-free. Confirm the elements excluded by each candidate, then compare the documented material against the required magnetic performance and qualification plan.
Depending on the application and industry, factories can often provide comparison data between HRE-containing and HRE-Free grades in advance. That can help the buyer decide whether to sample a lower-risk path before lead time, disclosure, or export-license pressure affects production.
Axis Magnetics can help assemble magnet-side data and sourcing options, but legal, customs, classification, screening, licensing, and end-use decisions remain the customer's responsibility. The useful output is a clearer technical and sourcing package for the customer's own compliance review.
China rare earth magnet export controls sourcing review
Dy/Tb-containing NdFeB exposure and alternate-path checks
HRE-Free, dysprosium-free, SmCo, bonded, ferrite, and assembly-level options
Factory comparison data, documentation, and qualification inputs
Current drawing, grade direction, material family, or required specs
Known dysprosium, terbium, Dy/Tb, HRE, or HREE exposure
Origin, destination, end-use, customer flow-down, or documentation concern
Operating temperature, magnetic output, coating, magnetization, and validation needs
Prototype timing, production volume, and alternate qualification window
Compare material, performance, and documentation needs before selecting a sourcing path.
Search or sourcing focus
Common risk
Useful review path
Search or sourcing focus
China rare earth magnet export controls
Common risk
Dy/Tb-containing NdFeB magnets may require more documentation, supplier coordination, or export-license review
Useful review path
Identify material family, grade direction, Dy/Tb exposure, origin, destination, end use, and customer flow-downs.
Search or sourcing focus
NdFeB export license concern
Common risk
A drawing may call out a grade that depends on controlled heavy rare earth content
Useful review path
Compare HRE-Free NdFeB, dysprosium-free magnets, SmCo, bonded NdFeB, ferrite, coatings, or assembly redesigns against required specs.
Search or sourcing focus
Production continuity problem
Common risk
License timing, disclosure concerns, or supplier uncertainty can interrupt launch or replenishment
Useful review path
Request factory comparison data, sample options, validation plan, and alternate production routes before the shortage becomes urgent.
Search or sourcing focus
Customer compliance request
Common risk
Sourcing, engineering, quality, and compliance may be asking for different evidence
Useful review path
Build a concise magnet-side data package with material, origin, comparison data, inspection, and validation inputs.
Direct answers for sourcing, engineering, and compliance teams reviewing this magnet path.
The buyer should review whether the magnet specification, material family, grade, origin, destination, end use, or customer requirements involve controlled rare earth items or permanent magnet materials, especially when dysprosium or terbium is present.
No. HRE-Free can reduce one important material-content concern, but compliance still depends on origin, destination, end use, documentation, customer requirements, and legal classification.
Useful inputs include the current drawing or grade, known Dy/Tb exposure, required magnet performance or specs, temperature range, coating, magnetization direction, inspection method, origin constraints, and timing for samples or production.
Continue with product and technical pages that support this sourcing path.