As of March 2025, 48 countries have implemented 75 restrictions on scrap exports, reflecting a growing trend tied to limited scrap availability and increasing demand for scrap in decarbonizing the steel industry. Among these restrictions, 38% involve partial or full export bans, while duties and licensing procedures account for 27% each. Flexible measures like duties are used more frequently than outright bans, which comprise 25% of the restrictions, according to GMK studies.
Burundi and Kazakhstan are examples of countries that have limited scrap exports to specific trade regions, such as the East African Community and Eurasian Economic Community, respectively. The European Union has introduced multiple restrictions, including changes to the Waste Shipment Regulation in March 2024 and additional measures planned for 2025. The UAE, for instance, replaced its export ban with duties in January 2024.
Countries cite various reasons for these measures, including ensuring sufficient domestic scrap supplies, supporting decarbonization of steel production, and maintaining competitiveness in "green" steel industries. Restrictions often remain in place long-term, evolving through extensions or alternative measures.
