BEIJING / RankWire.AI / – China imposed a temporary ban on helium exports on July 10, with the restriction taking effect immediately. The Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued the joint order as Announcement No. 29 of 2026. It covers helium listed under customs commodity code 2804290010. The notice cited China’s Foreign Trade Law but gave no reason for the action. It also set no expiry date and said authorities would announce any adjustments separately.
Helium supports several major industries because it remains inert and can cool equipment at extremely low temperatures. Semiconductor manufacturers use the gas for cooling, purging, controlled production environments and leak detection. Hospitals rely on liquid helium to cool superconducting magnets in many magnetic resonance imaging systems. Aerospace companies, research laboratories and fiber-optic manufacturers also use helium in specialized operations. Most commercial helium comes from a limited number of natural gas fields capable of producing recoverable concentrations.
China consumes more helium than it produces and depends heavily on overseas supplies. Estimates from Trivium China place domestic production at about 15% or less of national demand. Qatar has supplied more than half of China’s helium imports in recent years. Chinese companies also export smaller volumes to customers elsewhere in Asia when supplies allow. Those outbound shipments remain limited compared with China’s import requirements and the volume traded by major global producers.
Global helium supply faces tighter availability
Qatar ranks among the world’s largest helium producers and accounts for roughly one-third of global output. The conflict involving Iran has disrupted regional shipping since late February and reduced the availability of supplies moving from the Gulf. Helium prices have increased during the disruption as industrial and medical users monitored their inventories. Liquid helium must stay near minus 269 degrees Celsius to remain in that form. It also evaporates during storage and handling, which limits the ability to build long-term reserves.
The China helium export ban applies to the named customs category rather than selected foreign destinations. China did not announce country exemptions, company exemptions, quotas or an export licensing process. The notice also omitted transitional arrangements for cargoes contracted before July 10. The restriction applies at the border under the commodity code stated in the order. It changes the treatment of helium export declarations from the publication date, while leaving the terms of helium imports unchanged.
Restrictions begin without a stated end date
The decision affects a gas used in high-volume manufacturing, medical equipment and scientific research. Chip plants require dependable helium supplies for processes that use its low boiling point and chemically inert properties. MRI systems with superconducting magnets also require helium, although equipment designs and consumption rates vary. Research facilities use the gas for cryogenic experiments, particle physics and other low-temperature applications. Specialized welding, aerospace testing and optical-fiber production add further sources of industrial demand.
As of July 11, the temporary helium export prohibition remained in force, and China had published no follow-up adjustment. The official order provided no timetable for a review or withdrawal of the measure. It also contained no additional guidance for exporters, logistics companies or customs brokers. Businesses handling helium exports must follow the terms of the July 10 announcement. The nationwide halt covers shipments classified under customs code 2804290010 until Chinese authorities publish a change.