On October 9, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have jointly released Announcement No. 58 of 2025, establishing export controls on select lithium batteries, high-end anode/cathode materials, and core manufacturing equipment. This signifies that, for the first time, lithium battery manufacturing equipment will be explicitly included in the export control regulations after November 8, 2025.
The announcement emphasizes that export controls do not equate to export bans. Companies may continue relevant export activities by applying for specific licenses. The measure primarily aims to regulate advanced technologies and core equipment rather than interrupt international market supply.
The controls primarily cover three categories:
- Complete Lithium Battery Products (cells, modules, packs) with weight energy density exceeding 300Wh/kg. This threshold mainly affects high-end new energy vehicles, flying vehicles, electric aircraft, specialized drones, military equipment, and premium energy storage batteries. Conventional batteries remain unaffected. Currently, few companies possess both the capability for mass production of batteries with energy density exceeding 300Wh/kg and active export operations, which means most manufacturers will see limited immediate impact.
- Battery Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, specifically key cell-level production machinery (winding machines, stacking machines, electrolyte filling equipment, hot presses, formation and grading systems, grading cabinets). Module and pack assembly equipment falls outside the control scope, minimizing impact on overseas manufacturing facilities.
- Anode/Cathode Materials and Related Manufacturing Processes, including high-end materials such as artificial graphite, high-density lithium iron phosphate, lithium-rich manganese-based materials, ternary precursors, along with their preparation processes and equipment.
Exporters must obtain licenses from China’s Commerce Ministry authorities before shipping controlled items. The approval process typically requires approximately 45 working days, with a dedicated review channel scheduled to open in early November 2025.
Industry analysts suggest these moderate, targeted controls on high-end products and production capacity could help protect core technologies while preventing disorderly overseas expansion by smaller firms and potential technology leakage. Under the new regulatory framework, leading enterprises with robust compliance systems and global operation experience may potentially achieve more stable international market share and improved profitability.
Source: WeChat Official Account——高工锂电
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