13 countries around the world ban the export of scrap metal

The practice of restricting the export of ferrous scrap is very common in the world and covers 43 countries today. Of these, 13 states generally prohibit the export of this raw material from their territory.

Scrap metal is a key raw material for steel production; without it, the operation of metallurgical plants is impossible. The export of scrap is most actively restricted in Africa, the countries of MENA and Asia. The presence of such measures actually preserves the metallurgical industry in these states with historically low steel consumption.

The EU has postponed the adoption of changes to the regulation of waste shipments to the EU (Waste Shipment Regulation) from November 2022 to January 2023. But together with this and the adoption of appropriate measures, the number of states restricting the export of scrap will be 71 or one in three in the world. That is, countries in which scrap export restrictions will be in effect will produce 77% of global steel production.

In Ukraine, there is an export duty of 180 euros per ton, which is in line with general trends. Attempts to cancel the duty of 180 euros, giving the idea of ​​duty-free export of scrap public importance, ended in a complete fiasco. Ukraine may decide to introduce a complete ban on the export of scrap metal.