Official customs statistics released and reported by Reuters today showed that China remained a net importer of refined tin for a third consecutive month in March. Exports last month amounted to only 58 tonnes, while imports were 1,195 tonnes.
Since last September China has only been a net exporter in one month, December 2007, when a small burst of export shipments preceded the imposition of a 10% export duty from 1 January.
Tin concentrate imports in March amounted to 886 tonnes (gross weight), bringing the first quarter total up to 2,193 tonnes, 67% higher than in the same period of 2007. However local sources have noted that the average grade of concentrates has been lower than normal recently. The main sources of concentrates this year have been Vietnam, Bolivia and Myanmar.
