China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that it will implement export control measures covering technologies associated with rare earth elements.

The measures specify that foreign entities and individuals must obtain export licenses for dual-use items before exporting certain rare earth-related materials or technologies originating from China.

Applications for exports to military end-users, or to importers and end-users on the control or watch lists, will, in principle, not be approved. Exports for purposes related to weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, or enhancement of military capabilities will also be denied.

Export applications involving the development or production of advanced semiconductors — such as logic chips of 14 nanometers and below, or memory chips with 256 layers and above — as well as technologies related to artificial intelligence with potential military use, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Applications involving humanitarian purposes — such as emergency medical response, public health incidents, or disaster relief — will be exempted from licensing requirements, provided that exporters report to the Ministry of Commerce within 10 working days after export and commit that the items will not be used in ways harmful to China's security or interests.

Foreign exporters must submit applications in accordance with regulations through the ministry's online system, and may apply directly or via authorized intermediaries or organizations in China.

Domestic exporters of dual-use rare earth items must also comply with end-use declaration requirements and provide compliance statements to foreign importers, ensuring that controlled items are not diverted for unauthorized purposes.

According to the announcement, the relevant measures will take effect in two stages — certain provisions from Dec. 1, 2025, and others immediately upon publication.