CCTV News reported that a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce responded to the matter. In accordance with the Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China and other relevant laws and regulations, the Ministry of Commerce jointly with relevant authorities released two announcements on October 19. One introduces new export control requirements for shield tunneling machines and related items, while the other revises and optimizes export control provisions for dredger-related goods. The full set of new rules will be implemented on November 18. Prior to the official release of the announcements, China had notified relevant countries and regions that maintain export control dialogue channels with China.
Items covered in the control list generally carry obvious dual-use characteristics for military and civilian applications. China’s introduction of export control measures is fully based on legal frameworks and consistent with common international practices. Such policies help safeguard national security and core interests, while fulfilling international non-proliferation obligations. As a responsible major country, adding new controlled items or adjusting existing control schedules demonstrates China’s consistent stance to uphold world peace and regional stability. The Chinese government stands ready to work with all nations to maintain stable global industrial and supply chains. Authorities will review export license applications submitted by enterprises in strict accordance with laws and approve applications that meet regulatory requirements. Meanwhile, China intends to leverage bilateral export control dialogue channels to negotiate with relevant parties on policy details and practical cases, promoting orderly compliant trade and facilitating legitimate commercial exchanges.
IT Home sorted out the announcement and learned that, pursuant to the Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China, Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China, Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China and Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-use Items, and for the purpose of safeguarding national security and interests, the State Council has approved the decision to impose export controls on the following items:
1. Tunnel Boring Machine Related Items
(1) 2B906. Full-face tunnel boring machines.
a. Earth pressure balance shield machines, slurry balance shield machines and other types of shield tunneling machines (HS code reference: 8430313010);
b. Open-type, single-shield, double-shield rock tunnel boring machines and other rock tunnel boring machines (HS code reference: 8430313010).
(2) 2A906. Components specially designed for items controlled under Category 2B906:
a. Cutting wheel (HS code reference: 8431499910);
b. Screw conveyor (HS code reference: 8428310010);
c. Segment erector (HS code reference: 8479899959);
d. Main drive system and other key units (HS code reference: 8431499910).
(3) 2E906. Remanufacturing technology specially designed for items controlled under Category 2A906 or 2B906.
2. Walking Excavator Related Items
(1) 2B904. Walking excavators meeting any of the following specifications (HS code reference: 8429521920):
a. Capable of crossing vertical obstacles higher than 1.2 m;
b. Capable of wading deeper than 1.5 m;
c. Capable of crossing trenches wider than 3 m;
d. Walking climbing gradient exceeding 40°.
Technical Note: A walking excavator refers to mechanical equipment that achieves self-propulsion through combined movements of working devices, outriggers or wheels to perform multi-purpose excavation on all types of terrain.
(2) 2E904. Electro-hydraulic proportional control technology for hydraulic systems specially designed for items controlled under Category 2B904.
3. High-altitude Wet Shotcreting Machine Related Items
(1) 2B903. High-altitude wet shotcreting machines for use at altitudes above 3000 m and satisfying all of the following specifications (HS code reference: 8479109010):
a. Engine maximum power exceeding 75 kW and torque exceeding 680 N·m;
b. Motor maximum power exceeding 55 kW;
c. Feeding efficiency of pumping system higher than 95%;
d. Air compressor displacement exceeding 15 m³/min;
e. Low-temperature hydraulic oil usable in hydraulic systems at -20℃.
Technical Note: A high-altitude wet shotcreting machine refers to equipment that delivers mixed materials such as concrete to a nozzle in plateau regions, and sprays materials onto working surfaces with air and accelerator added.
(2) 2A903. Components specially designed for items controlled under Category 2B903:
a. High-altitude engines with maximum power exceeding 75 kW and torque exceeding 680 N·m (HS code reference: 8408909240, 8408909330);
b. Engine auxiliary oxygen supply device (HS code reference: 8421399030);
c. High-altitude motors with maximum power exceeding 55 kW (HS code reference: 8501520020, 8501530020);
d. Two-stage air compressor with displacement exceeding 15 m³/min (HS code reference: 8414804110);
e. High-altitude chassis (HS code reference: 8479909030);
f. Folding boom (HS code reference: 8479909030).
(3) 2E903. Hydraulic and pumping technology specially designed for items controlled under Category 2B903.
Exporters wishing to ship the above-mentioned items to sensitive countries and regions with disputed relations with China shall apply for licenses to the competent commercial department of the State Council in accordance with the Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China and Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-use Items. No export to such countries and regions is permitted without a valid license. For exports to other countries and regions worldwide, exporters may obtain export documents via information registration. Exporters and end-users shall commit not to transfer or supply China-originated items mentioned above to disputed countries and regions without prior permission. Overseas organizations and individuals are also prohibited from transferring or supplying such China-originated items to the aforementioned sensitive countries and regions without licenses.
Exporters bear primary responsibility for the authenticity of customs declaration information and shall strengthen identification of export goods. If goods fall under controlled items, the remark column of customs declaration must state “Dual-use item” together with the dual-use export control code. Even if goods are not controlled items but their parameters, indicators and performance are close to control thresholds, the remark column shall mark “Not a controlled item” and fill in corresponding technical parameters. Customs authorities may raise legal doubts when submitted information is complete yet suspected of being untrue. Cargo shall not be released during the verification process.
This announcement shall formally take effect on November 18, 2026.
IT Home further learned from the announcement that in accordance with the Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China, Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China, Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China and Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-use Items, with approval from the State Council, China will optimize export control rules for dredger-related goods and impose export controls on the items listed below for national security and interest purposes:
1. 8A901.f.1. Dredger mud pump related items
(1) 8A901.f.1.a. Dredger mud pumps satisfying both of the following two specifications (HS code reference: 8413709120, 8413709980):
2. Suction inlet inner diameter ≥0.55 m;
3. Maximum pump rotational speed ≤400 rpm (r/min).
(2) 8A901.f.1.b. Key components specially designed for items controlled under Category 8A901.f.1.a:
4. Dredger mud pump casings including inner and outer casings with casing inner diameter ≥1.3 m (HS code reference: 8413910010);
5. Dredger mud pump impellers with impeller diameter ≥1.3 m (HS code reference: 8413910010).
Technical Note: “Suction inlet” means the inlet through which fluid or medium enters the mud pump during operation. “Pump casing inner diameter” refers to the inner bore diameter of the pump casing. “Impeller diameter” means the outer circle diameter of the impeller vane wall.
6. 8A901.f.2. Dredger drag head
Drag heads for trailing suction hopper dredgers with suction pipe diameter ≥0.55 m (HS code reference: 8479109010).
Technical Note: “Suction pipe diameter” means the inner bore diameter of the drag head discharge port.
7. 8A901.f.3. Dredger cutter head
Cutter heads for cutter suction dredgers with cutter ring outer diameter ≥2.1 m (HS code reference: 8479109010).
Technical Note: “Cutter ring outer diameter” means the outer circle diameter of the cutter head base.