Directorate General of Foreign Trade bans exporting lithium-ion battery black mass

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade enacted an immediate prohibition on the export of lithium-ion battery black mass, categorized under ITC (HS) Code 85491400. This strict trade measure halts all outbound shipments of the specified recycled material effective immediately. Exporters must halt outward processing and delivery schedules involving this specific classification. Export restrictions on hazardous and valuable waste materials are typically implemented to retain critical minerals domestically for domestic recycling industries and manufacturing supply chains.

Under previous trade norms, outbound movements of such materials operated under different regulatory oversight. The updated policy completely restricts foreign shipments of this category to support domestic resource retention. Exporters and logistics operators must immediately review their active supply contracts and customs documentation to ensure compliance with the new ban. Compliance officers should monitor subsequent trade notices and clarifications issued by the trade ministry regarding recycling regulations.

Bottom line: Verify your export inventory codes immediately to avoid regulatory penalties and shipment detentions.