China scrap inspections halt in Hungary: Update

: Metals
18/12/21

Updated the date when CCIC Marseille stopped conducting inspection outside France and the office's response to exporters regarding the wait for China custom's decision.

The China Certification and Inspection Group (CCIC) office in Hungary has temporarily halted the inspection of scrap metal for export to China since November 7.

The Hungarian CCIC branch has had to re-apply for import licences in order to continue operating following a merger in April of global CCIC operations with China's central customs office.

CCIC Hungary is expected to restart inspections in March next year but this is pending the approval of China's main customs authority.

The Hungarian branch is the only CCIC office in eastern Europe, which means many scrap exporters in the region are now unable to continue exporting material to China. As a result, some are diverting their scrap metal sales to Germany.

"Nobody can provide inspection in Hungary, but the material will find its way out. There is lots of material coming into Germany. I can buy cheaper but I can't process it as fast as I would like," a German scrap dealer said.

Other European CCIC offices are still conducting scrap metal inspections but the re-organisation of global operations has also temporarily disrupted services in Marseille, France.

Prior to the merger in April, the CCIC branch in Marseille was the designated regional office for inspection in Italy, Switzerland and Greece. As of 7 November onwards, the Marseille office can no longer undertake inspection for scrap outside France because of the re-organisation.

CCIC Marseille said it does not know when the office can restart inspections of scrap outside France as the China customs office is still discussing its new regulations and the authority has yet to finalise plans.

CCIC Marseille asked exporters to wait patiently until further instructions are given.

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25/12/19

Mexico central bank cuts target rate to 7pc

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Viewpoint: Al industry faces structural Europe decline

25/12/19

Viewpoint: Al industry faces structural Europe decline

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Viewpoint: Indonesia’s MHP surge to hit nickel prices

25/12/19

Viewpoint: Indonesia’s MHP surge to hit nickel prices

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US inflation slows to 2.7pc in November

25/12/18

US inflation slows to 2.7pc in November

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Traders offer CBAM paid import at discount to NW EU HRC

25/12/18

Traders offer CBAM paid import at discount to NW EU HRC

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