China to Optimize Import and Export Measures for Lithium-Thionyl Chloride Batteries

On December 9, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) jointly issued a notice on optimizing import and export regulatory measures for lithium-thionyl chloride batteries. In accordance with the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Chemicals Subject to Supervision and Control, the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Export Control of Dual-use Items, and the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Controlled Chemicals, it decided to optimize regulatory measures for certain lithium-thionyl chloride batteries effective January 1, 2026.

According to the notice, the measures primarily target individual lithium-thionyl chloride batteries or battery packs containing no more than 1 kilogram of thionyl chloride (CAS No.: 7719-09-7), which is categorized as a Schedule 3 chemical under supervision and control.

Core Adjustment: Very Low-Risk Products Removed from Specific Control Lists

The aforementioned lithium-thionyl chloride batteries or battery packs contain minimal thionyl chloride and are difficult to dismantle, making it hard to reversely extract thionyl chloride, thus posing an extremely low proliferation risk. Consequently, they will no longer fall under the management scope of the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Chemicals Subject to Supervision and Control and the List of Schedules of Controlled Chemicals. They will also no longer be classified as controlled items under the chemicals subject to supervision and control category in the Export Control List of Dual-Use Items of the People's Republic of China. Import and export of these items will no longer require an Import/Export Approval Certificate for Chemicals Subject to Supervision and Control or a Dual-Use Items and Technologies Subject to Import and Export License.

For import or export declaration of the aforementioned lithium-thionyl chloride batteries or battery packs, the thionyl chloride filling content per individual battery or battery pack must be accurately declared in the "Specification & Model" field of the customs declaration form.

Other Circumstances

• Lithium-thionyl chloride batteries or battery packs requiring import/export approval procedures due to other regulatory requirements shall comply with the relevant regulations.
• Other lithium-thionyl chloride batteries or battery packs not covered by this scope shall continue to be managed according to regulations such as the Regulation on the Administration of Chemicals Subject to Supervision and Control and the Regulation on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items, requiring the relevant approval certificate and license.

To ensure smooth policy implementation, any issues encountered during execution should be promptly reported to the National Office for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Bureau of Industry Security and Import/Export Control of MOFCOM, and the Comprehensive Affairs Department of GAC. This feedback mechanism will allow for dynamic adjustments to regulatory measures based on practical circumstances.

This policy aims to implement precise and scientific regulation for low-risk products while ensuring the fulfillment of international obligations and the maintenance of national security. It is expected to facilitate the international trade of relevant battery products.

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Further Information

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