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Trade & Policy

China Tightens Import Licensing

• By  Textile Excellence
• February 01, 2026

China’s Ministry of Commerce has brought the 2026 Catalogue of Commodities Subject to Import Licensing Administration into force from 1 January 2026, replacing the previous 2024 framework. While the announcement is regulatory in nature, it carries direct implications for select segments of the textile chain.

The catalogue governs products that require prior import licences, typically covering goods linked to environmental control, safety, technology, and strategic oversight. For textiles, the impact is upstream rather than downstream.

The most immediate relevance is for used and remanufactured textile machinery. Imports of second-hand spinning, weaving, processing, and finishing equipment are likely to face tighter approvals, longer lead times, and higher compliance scrutiny, particularly under China’s rules for key used electrical and mechanical products. Mills relying on refurbished machinery should factor this into capex planning.

There is also moderate exposure for textile chemicals and processing inputs, especially substances linked to environmental regulation or ozone-depleting controls. Processing houses and technical textile units may see higher documentation and licensing requirements.

The most immediate relevance is for used and remanufactured textile machinery. Imports of second-hand spinning, weaving, processing, and finishing equipment are likely to face tighter approvals, longer lead times, and higher compliance scrutiny, particularly under China’s rules for key used electrical and mechanical products. Mills relying on refurbished machinery should factor this into capex planning.