China's tin ore imports experienced a month-on-month decline in June. Despite a 20.29% month-on-month increase in Myanmar's tin ore exports to China, non-Myanmar sources registered a significant 20.15% decline. This drop was particularly pronounced in Nigeria, with shipments reducing by 1,201 tonnes, primarily due to reduced transshipment volumes of tin ingots through the country.
China's tin ore and concentrate imports decreased by 16.28% month on month but increased by 20.87% year on year to 11,910 tonnes (equivalent to 5,653 metal tonnes) in June 2025, according to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).
In July, Myanmar's Wa State held a public meeting on July 15, approving mining permits for several enterprises. While mining operations in Wa State are expected to gradually resume, stable production increases may remain challenging in the short term. Tin ore output growth from Myanmar is projected to materialize gradually from late August to September, likely keeping China's July tin ore imports from Myanmar to remain low. Regarding Africa, limited prior shipments from the Bisie tin mine indicate a projected decline in tin ore deliveries to China for July, according to Mysteel's survey. Although Nigeria are expected to maintain a relatively stable tin ore supply, its volume remains limited. Overall, China's total tin ore imports in July are expected to experience a slight decline.
Data Source: GACC, Mysteel
China's refined tin imports in June 2025 decreased by 14.00% month on month but surged by 846.14% year on year, reaching 1,786 tonnes. The tin ingot import window in China remained largely closed in June. Although some traders had placed orders during brief window openings in earlier periods, with shipments arriving in June, the import volumes remained low.
According to Mysteel's survey, despite China's tin ingot import window opening sporadically in early May, it gradually closed from mid-May onwards. Recent imports are being facilitated by traders who locked in favorable price ratios earlier and adjusted shipping schedules to secure deliveries.
China's tin ingot import window remains closed currently. As of July 21, China's tin ingot import profit stood at -Yuan 8,683/tonne. Therefore, while limited quantities of imported tin are expected to arrive in China during late June and early-to-mid July, sustained closure of the import window since June suggests China's tin ingot imports may further decline in July.
Data Source: Mysteel
Regarding exports, China exported 1,973 tonnes of refined tin in June 2025, an increase of 11.51% month on month, with the primary destinations being the Netherlands, Korea, India and Japan. Cumulative exports of refined tin from January to June 2025 were 11,557 tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 39.18%. From January to June 2025, China's cumulative net exports were 264 tonnes. Looking ahead, although China's refined tin exports will be affected by the decline in raw material imports, the overseas demand remains stable. Therefore, it is expected that China's subsequent tin ingot exports will maintain the current level.
Data Source: GACC, Mysteel
For more in-depth insights, long-term outlook, and comprehensive data on China's tin market, contact us via <xuzhongping@mysteel.com> to subscribe to Mysteel Tin Weekly Report and Mysteel Tin Database.
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Written by Zhaorui Cui, cuizhaorui@mysteel.com
Edited by Paula Xu, xuzhongping@mysteel.com
