According to official May trade data China once again a net importer of refined tin. However the slump in tin metal exports has been partly offset by a big jump in exports in other forms. Refined tin exports in May were only 4.9 tonnes down by 99.8% YoY last year.

According to customs data, this small shipment was bound for Estonia. YTD exports amounted to 385 tonnes down by 97% YoY on the same period of last year. Refined tin imports in May were 900 tonnes, bringing the first five months’ cumulative total to 4,566 tonnes up by 120% in January to May 2007.

The drop in refined tin exports reflects both reduced tin availability in China and the imposition of a 10% export duty from January 1st. The duty change possibly explains a recent surge in exports of tin semis and other products. Tin semis exports in May were 365 tonnes while shipments of other tin products jumped to 1,322 tonnes. The total volume of exports of tin semis and other products in January to May was 5,096 tonnes up by 74% YoY in the same period of last year.

(Sourced from ITRI.co.uk)