Non-ferrous mineral products for long-term supply to China
Drawing on our coverage of Chinese end-users, smelters, processors and large traders, we provide overseas suppliers with full-chain service from supply matching to financial settlement. The core value: sellers can enter China's non-ferrous consumption market in a controlled way without directly handling the complex work of buyer screening, testing, customs clearance and payment settlement.
| Copper Segment | Lead-Zinc Segment | Tin-Tungsten Segment |
|---|---|---|
| Copper concentrate | Lead concentrate | Tin concentrate |
| Refined copper / Cathode copper | Zinc concentrate | Tungsten concentrate |
| Secondary copper | Refined lead (unwrought) | Refined tin |
| Wire rod / Billet | Unwrought zinc | Tungsten powder / Tungsten carbide |
| Aluminium Segment | Minor Metals |
|---|---|
| Unwrought aluminium, aluminium ingots | Antimony and its products |
| Unwrought aluminium alloy | Tantalum, niobium and their products |
| Secondary pure-aluminium feedstock | Bismuth and its products |
| Secondary wrought / cast aluminium-alloy feedstock | Unwrought magnesium and magnesium powder |
Matching a cooperation path by supply location, inventory status and export capability
| Type | Definition | Entry Point for Cooperation |
|---|---|---|
| Type A · Origin Supplier | Resource holders such as mine owners and washing plants. | Competitive pricing; can be routed via Type-B traders, or mandate us to run competitive bidding with Chinese buyers. |
| Type B · Distribution-Hub Trader | Traders holding spot inventory at international hubs such as Thailand. | Ample inventory, familiar with L/C and FCA/FOB operations — the main counterparties in the international market. |
| Type C · Exporter to China | Professional entities with mature export-to-China qualifications. | Familiar with China customs standards and origin certificates such as FORM E; can contract directly. |
Procurement practice: due to geopolitics and local policy environments, we generally do not buy at the mine in origin countries such as Myanmar or Laos. For these countries it is better for the title-holder to move goods to a border port for FCA delivery, or to trade as bonded-warehouse spot via a hub such as Thailand.
Align delivery responsibility and pricing units first, then move to samples and contracts
| Term | Meaning | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | The seller hands the goods to the buyer's nominated carrier at a named place; the seller handles export clearance. | Land ports, rail stations. |
| FOB | The seller loads the goods onto the buyer's nominated vessel at the port of shipment; the seller handles export clearance. | Sea ports such as Laem Chabang (Thailand) and Hai Phong (Vietnam). |
| CIF China bonded warehouse | The seller bears freight and insurance for the whole journey, delivering the goods to a designated Chinese port customs bonded warehouse. | Used when the seller can organise international logistics. |
| Bonded-warehouse spot | Inspection and transfer of title completed inside a bonded warehouse at a hub such as Thailand. | Spot trades for goods already stored in a bonded warehouse. |
| Unit | In Plain Terms | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Metric tonne unit (MTU) | The price per 1% grade in one tonne of ore. | Base quotation for concentrate products. |
| Metal tonne | The pure-metal quantity after deducting impurities. | The final settlement unit. |
| Dry tonne / Wet tonne | Dry tonne excludes moisture; wet tonne is the actual weighed weight. | Port weighing and moisture conversion. |
| Physical tonne | A transitional unit converted by actual grade. | Used for intermediate reference and conversion. |
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan corridors to China
Central Asia is strategic for non-ferrous trade with China. We focus on land and rail nodes such as Khorgos, Alashankou–Dostyk, the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan block train, Irkeshtam and Torugart, matching transport modes around copper concentrate, electrolytic copper, lead-zinc concentrate, antimony ore and aluminium ingots.
Kazakhstan
Among the world's top holders of copper, lead, zinc and tungsten reserves. Key corridors are the Khorgos road port and the Alashankou–Dostyk rail route, suited to copper concentrate, lead-zinc concentrate and electrolytic copper.
Note: confirm current export-policy developments for products such as copper, aluminium and lead ingots before trading.Uzbekistan
Mainly exports copper ore, copper concentrate, copper plate, copper rod, aluminium ingots, lead ingots and zinc ingots. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan block train suits stable monthly lots, covering Tashkent, Kyrgyzstan, Kashgar and the domestic rail network.
Note: verify copper export tax, mining permits and rail-station handling capability before quoting.Kyrgyzstan
Has a resource base in antimony, tungsten, tin and rare metals. The Irkeshtam port suits antimony ore, aluminium ingots and coal; the Torugart port suits copper ore sand and precious-metal ore sand.
Note: check port operating windows, fleet scheduling, document consistency and one-stop clearance conditions.| Corridor | Delivery Point | Corresponding China Port | Transport Mode | Main Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khorgos Corridor | Khorgos port supervision zone | Khorgos port | Road | Copper concentrate, lead-zinc concentrate |
| Alashankou–Dostyk | Dostyk port / rail station | Alashankou port | Rail | Copper concentrate, electrolytic copper |
| China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan block train | Tashkent station | Kashgar port | Rail | Copper concentrate, cathode copper |
| Irkeshtam Corridor | Irkeshtam supervision zone | Irkeshtam port | Road | Antimony ore, aluminium ingots, coal |
| Torugart Corridor | Torugart supervision zone | Torugart port | Road | Copper ore sand, precious-metal ore sand |
Choose FCA, FOB, CIF or bonded-warehouse spot by country, port and inventory status
| Method | Applicable Countries / Locations | Key Delivery Points | Main Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land-port FCA | Myanmar, Laos, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan | Muse–Ruili, Qingshuihe–Mengding, Boten–Mohan, Ganqimaodu, Khorgos, etc. | Tin concentrate, copper concentrate, zinc-oxide ore, lead-zinc ore, aluminium ingots, antimony ore |
| Rail-station FCA | Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan | Dostyk, Alashankou, the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan block train, Erenhot, etc. | Copper concentrate, electrolytic copper, cathode copper, lead-zinc concentrate |
| Sea-port FOB | Thailand, Vietnam | Laem Chabang port, Hai Phong port | Copper concentrate, lead-zinc concentrate, secondary-metal feedstock, aluminium products |
| CIF China bonded warehouse | When the seller can organise international logistics | Designated Chinese port bonded warehouses, comprehensive bonded-zone warehouses | High-value concentrates, refined metals, and products requiring in-warehouse inspection before payment |
| Bonded-warehouse spot | International hubs such as Thailand and Vietnam | Local bonded warehouses, bonded stores, warehouses issuing endorsable warehouse receipts | Warehoused spot goods that can be sampled and tested on site |
Three Cooperation Models & an Eight-Step Common Process
Long-term Strategic Supply
For stable mine sources and annual procurement. Usually 1–3 trial orders first verify grade, impurities, moisture, documents, delivery capability and payment milestones, then move into an annual framework agreement.
Flexible Spot Procurement
For products already stocked at a port, seaport or bonded warehouse. Focus on verifying warehouse receipts, title, test reports, on-site photos/videos and the delivery window.
Chinese-Buyer Bidding Mandate
For when the seller wants multiple Chinese buyers to compete on price. We help organise the supply documentation, sample testing, quotation basis and three-party trade terms.
Clarify product, grade, quantity, price, delivery terms and pricing unit.
Verify title documents, warehouse receipts, mining licences, purchase contracts and export records.
Confirm the pricing basis, inspection standard, delivery time and dispute handling.
Exchange essential information such as commercial registration, export permits, bank accounts and business licences.
Sign a formal sale contract or three-party agreement under the long-term, spot or bidding model.
SGS, Intertek, CCIC and similar agencies sample and assay; samples are sealed by three parties.
Track dispatch, export declaration, loading, transport documents and warehouse-arrival milestones.
The seller submits documents; we pay after review, completing transfer of title and closing the settlement loop.
Pre-Trade Verification Checklist by Key Region
| Region | Suggested Corridor | Key Pre-Trade Checks |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | Khorgos, Alashankou | Export policy, rail-station capacity, radioactivity checks, bonded ore-blending applicability, destination regulatory requirements. |
| Uzbekistan | China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan block train | Copper export tax, mining permits, block-train scheduling, monthly volume, domestic distribution plan. |
| Kyrgyzstan | Irkeshtam, Torugart | Title to antimony ore and aluminium ingots, 24/7 clearance window, fleet scheduling, Kashgar one-stop clearance conditions. |
| Myanmar, Laos | Border-port FCA or Thailand bonded-warehouse spot | Central and local permits, exit clauses for sudden policy change, the chain of title before goods reach the port, and security risk. |
| Mongolia | Ganqimaodu, Erenhot | Mine-to-port distance, carrier pick-up point, grade of copper and zinc concentrate powder, and vehicle queue status. |
| Thailand, Vietnam | Laem Chabang port, Hai Phong port, bonded-warehouse spot | FORM E, export permit, warehouse-receipt endorsement, shipping documents, bonded-warehouse sampling and photo/video records. |
Choose a more secure delivery route by product characteristics
| Product | Preferred Channel | Key Documents / Risk-Control Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Copper concentrate, lead-zinc concentrate | FCA land port, rail station, CIF China bonded warehouse | Grade assay, moisture, impurities, hazardous elements, radioactivity testing, proof of title. |
| Cathode copper, aluminium ingots, lead ingots, zinc ingots, tin ingots | Rail FCA, FOB sea freight, bonded-warehouse spot | Batch number, producer certificate, warehouse receipt, packing/loading records, certificate of origin. |
| Minor metals such as antimony, tantalum-niobium, bismuth and magnesium powder | Land-port FCA, bonded-warehouse spot | Export permit, dangerous-goods/regulatory classification, test reports, packaging and transport compliance documents. |
| Secondary copper, secondary-aluminium feedstock | FOB sea freight, CIF bonded warehouse, bonded-warehouse spot | Solid-waste classification exclusion, photos/videos, unpacking inspection, customs supervision requirements and import qualifications. |
Refined metal products can be delivered by land or sea, chosen according to the seller's location, inventory status, port lead time, document completeness and the buyer's inspection-before-payment requirements.
Please prepare 5 categories of materials and we will assess the most suitable cooperation model
Product name, grade and test reports; cargo location, inventory status and photos/videos; acceptable delivery terms; the title and export-qualification documents you can provide; and the intended cooperation model and delivery channel.