Posted on 28 Aug 2025
China exported around 416,300 tonnes of stainless steel in July, higher by 26,300 tonnes or 6.7% on month, and making for a year-on-year increase of 5,700 tonnes or 1.4%, according to new data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC). Meanwhile, the country posted a net export volume of 343,200 tonnes in July, higher by 62,800 tonnes or 22.4% on month and touching the highest for the year, the data show.
Stainless coils and pipes accounted for most of the increase in total exports, despite broad-based growth across most categories.
Exports of stainless coils with a width of or above 600mm reached approximately 284,000 tonnes in July, an advance of 14,300 tonnes or 5.3% compared with the previous month. During the same period, exports of stainless pipes totalled 70,746 tonnes, rising by 5,731 tonnes or 8.8% from June, the GACC statistics show.
The export growth in July was primarily driven by policy factors and strategic trade behaviour, a market source said. "Exporters had been rushing to ship cargoes either in case the United States ramps up its duties or due to the already high tariffs on China-origin products," he explained.
This coincides with a surge in exports to Southeast Asia, with shipments rising by 16,300 tonnes or 14.8% on month to some 126,000 tonnes in July. Compared to the same month last year, the volume also climbed by 19,800 tonnes or 18.5%, the GACC data suggests. In the first seven months of the year, total exports to the region soared by 180,700 tonnes or 28.4% to around 817,800 tonnes.
As global trade flows grow increasingly strained, China may bear the brunt of the latest U.S. trade enforcement, Mysteel Global notes.
Starting August 7, all goods that the United States considers to have been transhipped to avoid applicable duties will be subject to an additional 40% tariff, according to the White House. Market analysts warn this could deliver a double whammy to Chinese exporters, who are already contending with elevated base tariffs and softening overseas demand.
For the first seven months of 2025, China's cumulative export volume of stainless totalled some 2.92 million tonnes, up by 141,000 tonnes or 5.1% compared to the year-ago level, the GACC data show.
Source:Mysteel Global
