China's lithium carbonate imports stood at 28,300 tonnes in April, up 56.3% and 33.6% month-on-month and year-on-year respectively, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China. The imports from Chile amounted to 20,300 tonnes, moving up 59.3% MoM and 18.1% YoY. The imports from Argentina reached 22,600 tonne, with an increase of 47.4% MoM and 101.1% YoY.
China's imports of lithium carbonate from January to April totaled 78,900 tonnes, an increase of 26.8% YoY. Specially, the imports from Chile and Argentina rose 9.8% YoY and 80.7% YoY respectively to 53,200 tonnes and 22,600 tonnes.
In April 2025, China's lithium carbonate imports from Chile remained elevated, primarily due to a large shipment of 15,545 tonnes exported by Chile in March. Given the typical shipping lead time of 1 to 1.5 months, most of this volume arrived in China in April, significantly boosting monthly import figures.
In addition, China's lithium carbonate production continues to focus on meeting internal demand. Export volumes remain limited and insufficient to offset domestic consumption. As a result, China still relies heavily on imports to bridge the supply gap, with Chile and Argentina serving as key suppliers thanks to their abundant brine lithium resources.
Source: GACC, Mysteel
China's lithium carbonate exports totaled 734 tonnes in April, up 233.7% month-on-month and 113.0% year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China. Among them, the exports to South Korea totaled 42 tonnes, down 91.5% MoM. The exports to Japan reached 401 tonnes, up 2554.1% month-on-month and 95.5% year-on-year. China's exports of lithium carbonate from January to April totaled 1,770 tonnes, up 35.6% YoY.
Source: GACC, Mysteel
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
