By rosebell
The measures were announced jointly by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs on 19 October under Announcement No. 50 of 2026. Issued pursuant to China’s export control and foreign trade legislation, the rules cover a wide range of mechanised tunnelling equipment, including earth pressure balance machines (EPBMs), slurry shield machines, open-type hard rock TBMs, single-shield and double-shield machines, and other full-face tunnel boring equipment.
Controls Extend to Major TBM Components
The restrictions apply not only to complete machines but also to critical components and technologies used in mechanised tunnelling. Controlled items include:
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Cutterheads and cutting tools
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Screw conveyors
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Segment erectors
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Main drive systems
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Other specified critical machine units and components
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Remanufacturing technologies specifically developed for the controlled machines and components
Under the new arrangements, exporters shipping controlled equipment to countries and regions classified by the Chinese government as sensitive and involved in disputes with China will be required to obtain an export licence from the relevant Chinese commerce authorities before shipment.
The announcement does not identify the individual countries or regions subject to this licensing requirement.
Simplified Procedure for Other Destinations
Exports to other countries and regions will be subject to a simplified registration and information-reporting process. This procedure is intended to enable exporters to obtain the required export documentation without undergoing the same licensing process applicable to designated sensitive destinations.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the measures reflect the potential civilian and military applications of the equipment and technologies concerned. The controls are intended to safeguard national security and fulfil China’s international non-proliferation obligations.
The ministry added that export licence applications would be reviewed in accordance with the relevant legislation, with applications meeting the applicable requirements eligible for approval. It also confirmed that countries and regions with which China has established export control dialogue mechanisms had been notified of the measures in advance.
Additional Equipment Covered
The new controls extend beyond tunnelling machinery to include certain types of walking excavators and high-altitude wet shotcrete spraying machines, along with specified components and associated technologies.
The measures are scheduled to come into force on 18 November 2026. Their practical implications for international TBM procurement, component supply and technology transfers will depend on the final classification of controlled items and the export procedures applicable to each destination.
