China's Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have confirmed that revised export controls on specified dredger equipment will take effect on November 18, 2026.
The measures cover dredger mud pumps with a suction inlet internal diameter of at least 0.55 metres and a maximum pump speed of no more than 400 rpm. Casings and impellers of 1.3 metres or more in diameter that are specially designed for those pumps are also covered.
The controls also extend to dragheads for trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) where the suction pipe diameter is at least 0.55 metres, and to cutterheads with a cutter ring external diameter of at least 2.1 metres on cutter suction dredgers (CSDs).
Exporters must obtain permission from the commerce authorities. Customs declarations for controlled items must identify them as dual-use and state the control code.
Exporters of equipment outside the controlled categories but with parameters close to the thresholds must declare such equipment as not controlled and list its specifications. Customs will not release goods while it examines any questions about a declaration.
"The items covered by these measures have clear military and civilian dual-use characteristics," a ministry spokesperson said. "China will review the relevant export licence applications in accordance with laws and regulations, and will approve applications that meet the requirements."
The ministry said it had notified countries and regions that hold export control dialogues with China before issuing the measures.
China has controlled exports of complete dredgers since June 2017. These include TSHDs and CSDs above specified power and depth thresholds. However, Chinese yards continue to deliver such vessels to domestic operators.
