Russia Extends Ban on Precious Metals Scrap and Waste Exports Until May 2026
Russia Extends Ban on Precious Metals Scrap and Waste Exports Until May 2026
The Russian Federation has once again extended the ban on exports of scrap and waste containing precious metals, continuing its policy to keep strategic raw materials within the country. According to a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the export ban remains in effect for six months between December 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.
This decision is viewed as part of Russia's strategy to secure access to high-value-added metals such as gold, silver, and platinum, and to process these metals within the domestic refining and processing chain. Government officials emphasize that the ban's primary purpose is to increase capacity utilization rates at domestic refineries and limit the flow of precious metals leaving the country as raw materials.
The Rationale: Keeping Added Value at Home
In Russia, precious metals are obtained not only through mining but also via scrap and electronic waste recovery. In particular, electrical and electronic equipment waste (e-waste) contains high levels of precious metals. The government holds the view that exporting such waste without processing creates loss of added value for the national economy.
The export ban therefore serves the objectives of ensuring that scrap and waste are:
collected within the country,
refined at domestic facilities,
converted into pure metal or semi-finished products
In this way, industrial inputs are secured and the risk of raw material shortages due to foreign trade is minimized.
Scope of the Ban
The extended ban covers a broad product range. According to the decree, banned export items include:
all types of scrap containing gold, silver, platinum, and platinum group metals,
industrial waste suitable for recovery of these metals,
electrical and electronic equipment waste used for precious metal recovery
as primary items.
This scope encompasses not only conventional metal scrap but also recycling materials derived from high-technology products. In particular, the export of electronic waste as raw material to Asian and European markets is thus limited.
Designated Exemptions
The decree reveals that the ban is not absolute and contains certain limited exemptions. Accordingly:
Cathode antimony: The export of cathode antimony in ingot form is not subject to the ban. This product is not classified as strategic precious metal scrap.
Sample exports: Samples taken by refinery facilities and not exceeding 500 grams per batch are permitted for export. This exemption enables shipments for quality control, international analysis, and commercial reference purposes.
These exemptions are designed to prevent complete closure of the sector while ensuring that bulk trade remains within the country.
Background: Policy in Place Since 2022
Russia first implemented restrictions on precious metal scrap exports in February 2022, in the context of escalating sanctions and economic pressure following the Ukraine conflict. Since that time, the ban has been extended periodically and has become one of the permanent elements of the country's domestic supply chain protection policy.
Throughout this process, the Russian government has prioritized:
domestic supply security in strategic raw materials,
controlled exports in foreign trade,
reducing import dependency in industry
as key objectives.
Sectoral and Global Impacts
The extension of the ban signals a supply constraint for international recycling and refining companies sourcing precious metal scrap from Russia. Conversely, Russia's domestic market benefits from a more stable flow of raw materials for recycling facilities and refineries.
Analysts assess that while this policy may limit export revenues in the short term, it could lay the groundwork for exports of higher value-added metal products in the medium term.
Overall Assessment
Russia's extension of the precious metal scrap export ban through May 2026 demonstrates the country's continued adherence to strategic resource nationalism. The decision constrains precious metal supply from Russian sources in global recycling chains while aiming to strengthen refining and metal processing capacity domestically. This approach is expected to continue being used as a long-term policy instrument to enhance resilience of Russian industry in an environment of persistent sanctions.
Key Points:
Russia has extended the precious metal scrap export ban through May 31, 2026.
The decision was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Purpose: to increase capacity utilization at domestic refineries.
The ban covers all scrap containing precious metals, including electronic waste.
Cathode antimony and samples not exceeding 500 grams are exempt.
The policy has been applied periodically since February 2022.
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Author: SedatOnat.com
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