Germanium Export Controls Put U.S. Buyers on a November 27, 2026 Clock

Highlights

• China suspended its U.S.-specific germanium export restriction through November 27, 2026 via MOFCOM No. 72—no extension to January 10, 2027 has been published.
• Controlled germanium forms include elemental metal, crystals, powder, scrap, zone-refined ingots, germanium dioxide, and germanium tetrachloride.
• Western buyers should map Chinese origin exposure, build inventory, and qualify non-Chinese refiners before the November 2026 deadline.
• Defense supply chains face heightened risk because the broader prohibition on U.S. military users was not suspended under MOFCOM No. 72.
• A mine announcement does not close the Transition Vulnerability Window—only qualified germanium product in the right specification does.