In December 2025, the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court publicly sentenced 27 individuals involved in a large-scale antimony smuggling operation, marking one of the most significant enforcement cases following China’s tightening of export controls on critical minerals.
According to the court’s announcement, the defendants organized and executed the illegal export of antimony ingots without obtaining the required export licences. Antimony is classified as a controlled item under China’s export control regime due to its strategic importance and potential dual-use applications. The court found that the defendants deliberately circumvented customs supervision by misdeclaring goods, using false documentation, and arranging covert cross-border transportation to move the materials overseas.
The lead defendant was identified as the principal organizer of the smuggling network. He was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment and fined RMB 1 million. Other participants received varying prison terms and financial penalties, reflecting their respective roles in planning, logistics, financing, and execution of the illegal exports.
This case followed China’s decision to add antimony and related products to its export control list, which took effect in September 2024 under a joint announcement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs. Under the Export Control Law and related regulations, exporters of controlled items must obtain prior approval and present valid export licences to customs authorities. Unauthorized exports constitute a criminal offense.
The court emphasized that the illegal export of controlled minerals undermines national security interests, disrupts market order, and weakens the effectiveness of China’s export control framework. The ruling signals continued strict enforcement against violations involving strategic resources and highlights the legal risks for companies and individuals involved in unlicensed exports.
For businesses operating in minerals trading, logistics, and cross-border commerce, the case reinforces the importance of robust export control compliance, accurate customs declarations, and ongoing monitoring of regulatory updates related to controlled goods.
Full details of this smuggling case can be found in the following news report from Chinese state media: