China’s New Technology Export Controls

🔓 China expands export controls across AI, drones and industrial equipment. Four MOFCOM announcements bring new requirements for international businesses.

China’s evolving technology export controls are reshaping compliance requirements across AI, biomedicine and photovoltaics.

What changed?

Between 16 and 19 October 2026, China issued four export-control announcements affecting technology, unmanned aircraft, industrial machinery and dredging equipment.

• Announcement No. 48: Proposes 40 additions to China's technology export catalogue, covering 23 AI, five biomedicine and 12 photovoltaic technologies. Fourteen are proposed for prohibition and 26 for restriction. Interim pre-export registration for relevant technologies took effect on 16 October, pending formal revision of the catalogue. [English translation of Announcement No. 48]

• Announcement No. 49: Adjusts export controls on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) items, including specified motors, propellers, flight-control software and related technologies. The revised controls take effect on 18 November 2026, with licensing and certain registration-based facilitation measures. [English translation of Announcement No. 49]

• Announcement No. 50: Introduces controls on specified tunnel boring machines, walking excavators and high-altitude wet-shotcrete equipment, including associated components and technologies. Exports to sensitive countries and regions involved in disputes with China require licences. Other destinations are subject to registration and onward-transfer commitments. [English translation of Announcement No. 50]

• Announcement No. 51: Adjusts controls on dredger-related items, including specified dredging pumps, key pump components and dragheads. The measures take effect on 18 November 2026. [English translation of Announcement No. 51]

Who is affected?

These developments are particularly relevant to:

• AI, biotechnology and photovoltaic businesses transferring technology from China.

• Drone manufacturers, distributors and businesses sourcing controlled UAV components.

• Construction, tunnelling and infrastructure companies purchasing Chinese machinery.

• Dredging contractors and marine equipment suppliers.

• Multinational businesses with Chinese suppliers, manufacturing partners or cross-border technology arrangements.

Why does it matter?

The four announcements affect different parts of the export-control regime. Businesses should not treat them as one general licensing requirement.

Announcement 48 introduces an immediate registration obligation for relevant technology exports while proposed catalogue changes remain under consultation. Announcements 49–51 adjust or introduce controls over specified dual-use items, with their new measures taking effect on 18 November.

The distinction between licensing, registration and onward-transfer restrictions matters. Under Announcement 50, for example, requirements depend on the destination, while commitments can also affect foreign organisations holding Chinese-origin equipment.

These changes make supplier due diligence, technical classification and destination screening, including checks on the end-user, increasingly important for businesses sourcing from China.

What should you consider?

1. Review affected products and technologies. Check technical specifications against the relevant announcement rather than relying on commercial descriptions alone.

2. Engage Chinese suppliers. Establish how they will address applicable registration, licensing and customs declaration requirements.

3. Check destinations and onward transfers. Review whether equipment could be transferred or supplied to restricted destinations after purchase.

4. Prepare for 18 November. Identify affected shipments and transactions before the revised controls take effect.

🔐 Go further with Customs Manager PRO. Access the China Tech Implementation Playbook, a practical resource for assessing potentially affected technology transfers under Announcement No. 48. It provides a six-phase compliance framework, assessment templates, transaction checklists and supporting evidence registers.

Identify → Understand → Act → Master.

Author

Ann Karen | Head of Growth

Updated: November 2026

Disclaimer:

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. It does not determine whether a particular product, technology or transaction requires a Chinese export licence or registration. Businesses should assess the technical specifications, destination, end user and transaction circumstances against the applicable Chinese requirements and seek qualified advice before proceeding

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