Key facts
- China exported 4,269.8 metric tons of rare earths in September.
- September exports were down 9.8% from August.
- Total exports for the first nine months of 2026 fell 9.6% year-on-year to 43,711 tons.
China's exports of rare earths increased by 6.7% in September compared to the previous year, reaching 4,269.8 metric tons, according to data from the General Administration of Customs. This marks an improvement in overseas buying following a quieter summer period. However, the September figure represented a 9.8% decrease from August's total of 4,735 tons. For the first nine months of 2026, China's total rare earth exports declined by 9.6% year-on-year, totaling 43,711 tons. A separate report from TASS, citing Chinese customs data, stated that China's rare earth exports increased by 12.6% in January-September to 48,350 tons, with supplies falling by 7.8% to $342.3 million in value. This report also indicated that September sales were down 30.9% from August to 4,000 tons. Earlier in October, China's Ministry of Commerce had published documents on tightening controls for rare earth exports and related technologies, which reportedly angered US President Donald Trump.