According to customs data, from January to September 2025, China's cumulative rare earth imports were 78,898.4 tons, decreased by 23.0% year-on-year; the cumulative import value was 9.32 billion yuan, increased by 6.9% year-on-year; the cumulative rare earth exports were 48,355.7 tons, increased by 12.6% year-on-year; the cumulative export value was 2.45 billion yuan, decreased by 7.0% year-on-year. This indicates that in the first three quarters of this year, rare earth import volumes declined significantly year-on-year, but import values rose, suggesting that the average import price of rare earths in the first three quarters of this year was higher than in the same period last year. Rare earth export volumes increased year-on-year in the first three quarters, indicating that China's rare earth exports were not significantly affected by policies.
According to CTIA GROUP LTD Manufacturing statistics, from January to September 2025, the average price of praseodymium oxide was 494,746 yuan per ton, increased by 25.35% year-on-year; the average price of neodymium oxide was 487,897 yuan per ton, increased by 24.06% year-on-year; the average price of praseodymium-neodymium oxide was 471,049 yuan per ton, increased by 22.19% year-on-year; the average price of praseodymium-neodymium metal was 578,919 yuan per ton, increased by 21.17% year-on-year; and the average price of terbium oxide was 6,830 yuan per kilogram, increased by 18.41% year-on-year.
On the policy side, on October 9, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued announcements implementing export controls on certain medium-heavy rare earth items and related rare earth equipment and raw materials. On October 9, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce announced decisions to implement export controls on rare earth-related technologies and certain rare earth items abroad.
On July 28, 2025, Order No. 71 of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Natural Resources promulgated the "Interim Measures for the Management of Total Regulation of Rare Earth Mining and Rare Earth Smelting Separation," effective upon promulgation. On April 4, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce, in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs, announced decisions to implement export controls on certain medium-heavy rare earth items.
