Is the export of water well drill bits containing molybdenum material a controlled item?

Water well drill bits are common tools in the industrial sector, and the choice of their material directly affects their performance and service life. 35CrMo, as a high-quality alloy structural steel, is widely used due to its excellent mechanical properties. However, recently, freight forwarders have reported that products containing molybdenum (Mo) elements areExport ClearanceThere may be inspection risks during shipment, and it could even be mistaken for controlled items. This raises the question: Can water well drill bits made of 35CrMo material be smoothly exported? This article will provide answers one by one, based on material characteristics, export regulations, and practical experience.

Analysis of Material Properties for 35CrMo

35CrMo is an alloy structural steel, with molybdenum (Mo) content in its chemical composition at 0.15%~0.25% Between them. Molybdenum, as a strategic rare metal, indeed garners significant attention in international trade due to its critical role in industrial and military applications. However, the export compliance of molybdenum-containing products does not solely depend on the presence of molybdenum but is closely related to its specific use, degree of processing, and whether it is included in control lists. The fact that 35CrMo steel is used as a processed finished product in water well drill bits, rather than as raw rare metal material, is crucial in the compliance analysis.

Interpretation of China's Export Control Regulations

According to the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection" and relevant policies, China implements strict management on the export of rare earth and related products. However, 35CrMo steel is not directly classified as a rare earth product or a prohibited export item. Customs supervision of export commodities primarily focuses on the following requirements:

• Quality, safety, hygiene, and environmental protection standards;
• Does it fall under the category of items explicitly prohibited or restricted for export by the state?

For molybdenum-containing products, although molybdenum is a rare metal, its low content in alloy steel (far below the 2%~3% in stainless steel or the higher proportion in high-speed steel) and the properties of the finished product generally prevent it from being classified as a rare earth raw material. Therefore, as long as water well drill bits are not intended for special purposes (such as military use), their export is not explicitly restricted by regulations.

Inspection risks in customs declaration practice

The phenomenon mentioned by the freight forwarder, "products containing metal elements are prone to inspection," may stem from customs' heightened sensitivity to rare metals. However, practical experience shows that many molybdenum-containing alloy steel products (such as stainless steel and high-speed steel) can be exported normally. The key lies in the following two points:

1. Compliant Declaration: When declaring customs, it is necessary to accurately fill in the product name (such as "water well drill bit"), material (such as "35CrMo steel"), and purpose (such as "industrial drilling tools"), to avoid ambiguous descriptions that may cause misunderstandings.
2. The difference between finished products and raw materials: The water well drill bit is a deeply processed industrial product, not a rare earth raw material, which reduces the likelihood of it being classified as a controlled item.

For example, products made of materials such as 20CrMo or 40CrMo have not encountered obstacles during normal customs declaration for their intended use. This confirms the export feasibility of 35CrMo water well drill bits.

Case Studies and Experience Sharing

In practical cases, the export of many alloy steel finished products has not been hindered due to their molybdenum content. For example:

• Stainless steel products: The molybdenum content is as high as 2%~3%, and it has been widely exported without any issues;
• High-speed steel tools: The molybdenum content is higher, yet it remains a conventional export commodity;
• Similar cases: Mechanical components containing 20CrMo and 40CrMo were successfully cleared through customs with normal declaration.

These examples indicate that customs' regulatory focus on molybdenum-containing finished products lies in whether their intended use is clearly defined and whether the declaration is compliant, rather than the molybdenum content itself. As an industrial tool, the 35CrMo water well drill bit typically does not trigger additional restrictions as long as it is not involved in prohibited uses.

Export Strategy Recommendations

To ensure the smooth export of 35CrMo water well drill bits,foreign tradePractitioners can take the following measures:

1. Standardized Declaration: Clearly specify the product name, material, and purpose in the customs declaration form, avoiding the use of vague or sensitive terms.
2. Highlight the purpose: Emphasize that the product is an "industrial water well drill bit," clearly distinguishing it from rare earth raw materials or strategic resources.
3. Communicating in advance: Confirm the latest customs policies with the freight forwarder or professional customs broker, and consult the local commerce department if there are any doubts.
4. Prepare the required documents.: Prepare material certificates or quality inspection reports for verification purposes when required.

Conclusion

Based on the comprehensive analysis of material properties, regulatory requirements, and practical experience, the 35CrMo material is generally suitable for water well drill bits under normal circumstances.Can be exported. Although its molybdenum content (0.15%~0.25%) may attract customs attention, as a processed industrial product, it generally does not fall under export control regulations. Foreign trade practitioners only need to ensure compliant declarations and clear usage purposes to effectively mitigate inspection risks and smoothly complete the export process.