Beijing Labels Its Helium Ban 'Temporary,' Sets No Return Date
The notice itself calls the ban linshi, temporary in Chinese, yet fixes no review date or criteria for lifting it.
- MOFCOM's own text calls the measure linshi, meaning temporary, its only nod to duration.
- No review date, threshold, or exit criteria appears anywhere in Announcement No. 29.
- MOFCOM cited only the Foreign Trade Law; HS code 2804290010 covers every helium shipment abroad.
Why it matters: A ban labeled temporary with no criteria for ending it is functionally permanent; the word does no work.
MOFCOM & GACC Announcement No. 29 of 2026 ↗ · Jul 14, 20267/14/26 · Updated Jul 14 · ✓ Checked✓ Check