GACC: China's steel exports in '25 hit record high of 119 million t

China's finished steel exports totaled 119.02 million tonnes in 2025, higher by 7.5% from 2024 and setting a new all-time high, significantly outstripping the previous record set in 2015 of 112.4 million tonnes, according to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) on January 14.

During December alone, China exported 11.3 million tonnes of steel, up 13.2% on month and 16% on year, the data showed. Market sources noted that some Chinese exporters had brought forward their deliveries to December to dodge the impact of China's new export licensing system which was to take effect on January 1