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China Announces 2027 Export Quotas: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

China's Ministry of Commerce has published its 2027 export quota totals and application timeline for goods including licorice, live animals, timber and rush products. Here is a practical breakdown for foreign founders operating or registering a company in China.

China Releases 2027 Export Quota Totals

The Ministry of Commerce has issued Announcement No. 53 of 2026, setting out the total export quotas for 2027 and the rules for quota administration. The announcement is grounded in China's Foreign Trade Law, the Regulations on the Administration of Import and Export of Goods, the Measures for the Administration of Export Commodity Quotas and the Measures for Bidding on Export Commodity Quotas. For foreign founders whose China-based entities trade in the listed goods, the notice sets out concrete volumes, deadlines and procedures that should be built into next year's planning.

Which Goods Are Covered and What Are the 2027 Volumes?

The announcement lists seven categories of goods subject to export quotas in 2027, with the following total volumes:

Founders should note that several of these quotas are destination-specific, applying only to shipments to Hong Kong or Macao. Others, such as licorice, sawn timber and rush products, are not tied to a particular destination in the announcement. If your company exports any of these goods from China, the quota is a precondition for the export licence, so the volume ceilings directly affect how much you can ship in 2027.

The Two-Step Process: Quota First, Then Export Licence

The announcement makes clear that a foreign trade operator exporting any of the listed goods must first obtain a quota from the Ministry of Commerce. The quota may be a global quota or a regional one. With the quota approval document, or a certificate showing success in a quota bidding process, the operator can then apply for a People's Republic of China Export Licence. Only with that export licence can the company complete customs declaration, inspection and release formalities for the goods.

In practical terms, this means foreign founders cannot treat the export licence as a standalone permission. The quota sits upstream of the licence, and the licence sits upstream of customs clearance. Companies should map these steps into their supply chain timelines so that shipments are not held up at the port because a quota document is missing.

Application Window for 2027 Quotas

For quotas distributed by application rather than by bidding, the filing window runs from 1 November 2026 to 15 November 2026. Applicants must submit their materials to the provincial-level commerce authority in the locality where they are based. That provincial authority reviews and verifies the materials before forwarding them to the Ministry of Commerce.

Foreign founders should identify the correct provincial-level authority well before the window opens. The announcement defines provincial-level commerce authorities to include those of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, cities with independent planning status, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Preparing documentation in advance is advisable, given the two-week filing period.

When Will Quotas Be Allocated?

Under the announcement, the Ministry of Commerce will review the applications it receives in accordance with the law and allocate quotas to eligible applicants by 15 December 2026. Founders planning 2027 exports should therefore expect decisions before the end of 2026, leaving time to arrange licences and contracts for the new year.

Bidding Route for Licorice and Rush Products

Not all quotas are allocated by application. Licorice and licorice products, as well as rush grass and rush products, are allocated through a bidding process. The announcement states that the conditions and procedures for applying under that route will be published separately. Companies in these two product lines should watch for that follow-up notice rather than filing through the standard application window.

Phosphate Rock and Silver: Quotas Suspended, Licences Still Required

The announcement confirms that quota management for phosphate rock and silver remains suspended for 2027. These goods are instead subject to export licence administration. Eligible foreign trade operators exporting phosphate rock or silver may apply for an export licence on the strength of a valid export contract for the goods. For silver exported under processing trade arrangements, the relevant rules apply. As with quota goods, the export licence is required for customs declaration and release formalities.

This distinction matters for founders: suspension of the quota does not mean the goods flow freely. The licensing requirement remains, and the contract becomes the key supporting document.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders building or expanding a China-based trading or manufacturing company, these rules affect both compliance and commercial planning. A clear view of quota volumes, deadlines and the licence chain helps avoid delays and keeps export contracts realistic.

Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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