Rare earths: Movement

Why China imports ore to separate at home

What this tab covers How it flows between countries: the largest bilateral trade routes drawn on a world map, 2024 UN Comtrade export and import values with the top exporters and importers by share, plus shipping routes, chokepoints and trade restrictions.

UN Comtrade shows 2024 trade in rare-earth compounds (HS 2846) of $1.53 billion in reported exports and $2.29 billion in imports. China led both sides, with 25.7% of exports and 60.5% of imports, because it draws in intermediates such as Myanmar's for separation. Malaysia (24.0%), the United States (17.0%) and Japan (14.9%) were the next exporters. Japan (8.6%) and the US (7.4%) followed China as importers. Much rare-earth content also crosses borders inside magnets and motors. The chokepoint is policy. In April 2025 China added export controls on seven elements, including terbium and dysprosium.

Main trade routes, 2024

Chart: World map of the largest trade flows

Exporter (size = share of world exports) Importer (share of world imports) Largest bilateral flows (width = value) Shipping chokepoint UN Comtrade 2024, reported exports by the top four exporters of each traded form to their partners (US$). Bubbles: shares of reported world exports and imports for the main traded form. Hover a line or circle for values.

Rare-earth compounds · HS 2846

World exports 2024 $1.53 bn sum of 40 reporting countries World imports 2024 $2.29 bn sum of 40 reporting countries Top exporters, share of value China 25.7% Malaysia 24% United States 17% Japan 14.9% France 5.2% India 2.5% Top importers, share of value China 60.5% Japan 8.6% United States 7.4% South Korea 3.8% Germany 3.3% Philippines 2.8% UN Comtrade, reporter declarations to the world, US$. Exports and imports are reported separately, so totals differ. Re-exporting hubs (Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, UAE) can appear large.