Trade Policy & Compliance

【China】China Eases Import/Export Controls on Low-Risk Lithium-Thionyl Chloride Batteries from January 2026

Dec 18, 2025Local score 10.0

Source image preserved for article context.

Editor's note

This development signals a clear regulatory easing for low-risk lithium-thionyl chloride batteries, directly benefiting overseas buyers and logistics providers by simplifying customs clearance. However, importers and exporters must carefully verify the thionyl chloride content per unit to ensure compliance with the 1 kg threshold, as exceeding it still requires strict licensing. The supply-chain risk lies in accurate declaration, while the regulatory question centers on how authorities will enfo

China will remove certain lithium-thionyl chloride batteries from strict import/export controls starting January 1, 2026, a move that simplifies customs clearance for overseas buyers and logistics providers handling these power sources. The change targets batteries containing no more than 1 kg of thionyl chloride, deemed low-risk due to minimal chemical content and difficulty of reverse extraction.

Regulatory background

On December 9, 2025, China's MIIT, MOFCOM, and GAC jointly issued a notice optimizing import/export measures for specific lithium-thionyl chloride batteries. These batteries contain thionyl chloride (CAS 7719-09-7), a Schedule 3 controlled chemical under China's supervision regime. The new rules take effect on January 1, 2026.

Scope of exemption

The exemption applies to individual lithium-thionyl chloride batteries or battery packs where each unit contains no more than 1 kilogram of thionyl chloride. Authorities determined that such batteries are difficult to dismantle and pose an extremely low proliferation risk, making them unsuitable for strict controlled-chemical management.

What buyers should watch

Importers and exporters must accurately declare the thionyl chloride filling content per battery or pack in the "Specification & Model" field of the customs declaration form. Batteries exceeding the 1 kg threshold or subject to other regulatory requirements still need approval certificates and licenses under existing controlled-chemical and dual-use item regulations.

Compliance and logistics signals

The notice removes these low-risk batteries from the scope of the Regulation on the Administration of Chemicals Subject to Supervision and Control and the Export Control List of Dual-Use Items. No Import/Export Approval Certificate for Chemicals Subject to Supervision and Control or Dual-Use Items License will be required for qualifying shipments. Companies encountering implementation issues should report them to the National Office for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, MOFCOM's Bureau of Industry Security, and GAC's Comprehensive Affairs Department for potential dynamic adjustments.

Source: Read the original report | Published: December 18, 2025