15.07.2026 Regulation #China #World #Export #Bans
China halts helium exports indefinitely from July 10, no end date set
On July 10, 2026, China imposed a temporary export ban on helium through joint Announcement No. 29 (Announcement 2026/29) issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the General Administration of Customs (GACC). The restriction covers goods under 2804 (Chinese customs code 2804.29.0010) and took effect immediately, on the day of publication (Global Trade Alert; Sinobtd; China Trade Monitor).
How the ban is structured
The measure is officially labeled temporary, but the announcement sets no expiry date. Publicly available materials on the announcement mention no licensing mechanism, no country-specific exemptions, and no transitional arrangements for existing supply contracts; the Global Trade Alert registry classifies the measure as an export ban with no revocation date (Global Trade Alert).
The stated rationale is to shield the domestic industry from "severe global supply disruptions" (China Trade Monitor). Geopolitechs notes that China is itself a net helium importer: nominal plant capacity stands at around 14.7 million cubic meters, while actual output is only around 4.6 million cubic meters; import dependence is estimated at 84–87%, with Qatar and Russia together supplying approximately 98% of China's helium imports, according to USGS data (Geopolitechs).
Who is affected
Helium is a critical industrial gas for several high-tech sectors, all of which are directly exposed:
- Semiconductors — helium cools wafers and is used in plasma-etching chambers during chip fabrication;
- Medical equipment — liquid helium is required to cool superconducting magnets in MRI scanners;
- Aerospace — helium is used to pressurize rocket fuel systems (Geopolitechs; China Trade Monitor).
Geopolitechs estimates China accounts for roughly 11% of global helium supply and links the ban not only to scarcity but also to rising domestic demand driven by China's expanding chip manufacturing base (Geopolitechs). For businesses in the EAEU, the direct trade impact is limited since China is not a primary helium supplier to the region — but the ban intensifies competition for remaining global volumes from Qatar and the US, which could push up import prices for helium used in electronics and medical equipment across Russia and Kazakhstan.
What happens next
The "temporary" label leaves MOFCOM and GACC room to lift the ban at any time via a separate announcement, but no timeline or conditions for removal have been disclosed. Companies dependent on Chinese helium under code 2804290010 should factor in the risk of an indefinite supply interruption and look toward alternative suppliers in Qatar, the US, and Russia.
Primary sources
- China: Temporary export ban on helium — Global Trade Alert
- China Just Shut the Door on Helium Exports — Sinobtd
- Why China banned helium exports — Geopolitechs
- China Halts Helium Exports — China Trade Monitor
Mentioned codes
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.