GACC: China's stainless steel scrap imports surge 24% in 2025

Source: Mysteel Jan 21, 2026 15:00

China's imports of stainless steel scrap reached 120,149 tonnes in 2025, marking a significant increase of 23.8% from the previous year, according to new data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) on January 20.

The primary driver behind this surge is robust demand from Chinese stainless steel mills. High stainless output levels have created a substantial need for raw materials, Mysteel Global noted. Furthermore, the explosive growth of China's new energy vehicle sector has directly fueled demand for high-performance stainless steel, particularly nickel-chromium-containing 300-series