Recent changes in Chinese export policy are directly impacting the global supply of rare earth magnets, particularly Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) and Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo) magnets and assemblies.
China has implemented new export controls on several rare earth elements, including Dysprosium and Terbium — essential components in many high-performance magnet applications. These controls are designed to limit the use of Chinese-origin materials in military and defense-related technologies, especially those bound for the U.S.
As part of the new regulations, Chinese suppliers must now apply for a government export license before shipping covered magnets and materials out of the country.
What This Means
- Longer lead times – Orders involving rare earth magnets may take additional time to confirm or ship.
- More paperwork – Customers may need to provide documentation about how and where the magnets will be used.
- Limited availability – In some cases, shipments may be delayed or paused while export licenses are reviewed and approved.
Civilian vs. Defense Use: Why It Matters
- For Civilian and Commercial Use
If your magnets are used in applications like motors, sensors, displays, medical devices, or other industrial equipment, export licenses are more likely to be granted. However, the process still takes time and requires some usage details. - For Defense and Aerospace Use
If the magnets are intended for defense systems, aerospace components, or any project involving the U.S. government or military, it’s our understanding these will be denied altogether.
What Adams is Doing
We are actively working with our suppliers to offer neodymium grades that don’t include any controlled elements. These grades are not subject to export control licenses but could still see some delays due to customs inspections and possible third-party testing verification. This option is not available for Samarium Cobalt magnets.
We are also monitoring the evolving regulations. We’re committed to helping you navigate these changes:
- We’ll walk you through any documentation you may need.
- We’ll keep you informed of potential delays.
- And if you’re unsure whether your end use falls under civilian or defense classification, we’ll help you determine the best course of action.
In the meantime, we encourage you to place orders as early as possible to avoid slowdowns in your production schedules. Please get in touch with us to discuss this further.