Posted on 23 Sep 2025
China's stainless steel exports increased for a second straight month in August thanks to a surge in demand from the European Union (EU).
China exported around 447,800 tonnes of stainless steel last month, higher by 31,600 tonnes or 7.6% from July, despite a year-on-year drop of 40,100 tonnes or 8.2%, according to new data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC).
China's stainless exports to the EU jumped in August as EU buyers have rushed to import cargoes ahead of the impending Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) which will take effect on January 1, 2026, Mysteel Global noted.
As a climate measure, under the CBAM the EU will levy fees on the carbon emissions embedded in imports, ultimately increasing expenses for EU importers, a Wuxi-based source noted.
Besides, the resumption of operations at EU mills after their summer shutdowns last month also contributed to rising demand for stainless steel, the source added.
In this context, China's stainless steel exports to the EU surged in August to 34,500 tonnes, higher by 66.2% month-on-month, while also edging up 5.5% year-on-year, the GACC data show.
Exports to Italy alone jumped to 18,000 tonnes, skyrocketing by 14,000 tonnes or 355.7% compared to July, according to the GACC. However, on a year-on-year basis, exports to the country still fell by 2,500 tonnes or 12.2%. Cumulative exports to Italy during the January-August period reached approximately 66,900 tonnes, down 18,000 tonnes or 21.4% compared to the same period last year, due mainly to the overall weak global demand for stainless steel, the source said.
On the other hand, shipments to Southeast Asia decreased in August, as the Trump Administration had imposed a 40% tariff starting August 7 on all goods deemed to have been transhipped to evade US import duties, Mysteel Global learned.
Exports to the region in August fell by 12,000 tonnes or 9.5% month-on-month to approximately 115,000 tonnes, the GACC statistics indicates. On a yearly basis, the volume was also down 6,100 tonnes or 5%, the numbers show.
Nonetheless, China's cumulative stainless steel exports climbed to approximately 3.36 million tonnes during the first eight months of the year, an increase of 100,800 tonnes or 3.1% compared to the same period last year, the GACC data suggest.
Source:Mysteel Global
