China set thresholds on phosphorus ore export next year 

Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has issued the Standards for Qualification of Phosphorus Ore Export Enterprises for 2009 aiming at strengthening standardized control over the export.

The standards cover phosphorus ore under the tariff number of 25101010, 25101090, 25102010 and 25102090.

According to the policy, production enterprises exporting phosphorus ore shall have annual export (or delivery for export) amounting to more than 20,000 tons in the 2006-2008 period, have phosphorus export permit and safe production permit, and meet the state legal requirements on environmental protection.

The enterprises are also required to have floatation and separation equipment with annual capacity of 300,000 tons or higher for ore of low and medium tenor, and long-term supply contract of more than 12 months for 2008-2010.

Trading enterprises exporting phosphorus ore shall have annual export of more than 10,000 tons in the 2006-2008 period, and the phosphorus ore for export must be purchased from production enterprises with floatation and separation equipment with annual capacity of 300,000 tons or higher for ore of low and medium tenor.