China Export Control: 7 European Entities Banned from Dual-Use Goods Since April 26, 2026

Key Information

Since April 26, 2026, China has prohibited the export of dual-use goods to seven European Union entities in the defense and aerospace sectors. This decision was made by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce following the EU’s April 25, 2026 sanctions targeting 27 Chinese and Hong Kong organizations accused of assisting Russia and Belarus in circumventing Western sanctions (South China Morning Post, 26/04/2026; Reuters, 24/04/2026).

Key Points

• Seven European companies, including FN Herstal (Belgium), FN Browning Group (Belgium), and Hensoldt AG (Germany), have appeared on China’s control list since April 26, 2026 (Global Times, 24/04/2026).
• The Chinese legal framework applied is the Export Control Law and the Regulation on the Control of Dual-Use Goods (source: MOFCOM, 24/04/2026).
• Exporters are required to immediately cease any shipment of dual-use goods to these entities. Any exemption requires the express authorization of the Chinese ministry.

Context and Challenges

The European Union adopted new restrictive measures on April 25, 2026, against 27 entities from mainland China and Hong Kong, citing violations of sanctions against Russia and Belarus (Bloomberg, 26/04/2026). China’s response is part of a broader dynamic of trade tensions and increased regulation, particularly with the entry into force of China’s supply chain security law on April 7, 2026, which elevates supply chain security to a matter of national interest.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce states that this measure targets only a limited number of European actors involved in arms sales to Taiwan or technological cooperation with Taiwanese authorities, and will not affect routine EU–China trade (SCMP, 26/04/2026; Global Times, 24/04/2026).

Impact for Trade Professionals

Customs declarants, importers, exporters, and compliance officers are now facing a strict prohibition on the transfer of any Chinese-origin dual-use goods to the targeted entities, including re-exports and foreign branches. Operators must review their sanctioned customer lists, update regulatory monitoring procedures, and verify their Combined Nomenclature (CN) classification to identify any risks. Exemption procedures require an advance filing with MOFCOM.

According to Taiwan’s Minister of Defense, no immediate impact is expected on the country’s supplies, as the US market remains dominant. Several targeted European companies have already stated that they are reducing their reliance on Chinese-origin technology (Global Banking and Finance Review, 27/04/2026).

Next Steps

• Immediate update of internal classification and customer screening procedures by exporters and freight forwarders.
• Enhanced monitoring of Chinese and European control lists.
• Mandatory submission of exemption/authorization requests to MOFCOM on a case-by-case basis before any relevant operation.
• Ongoing monitoring of future developments in the EU–China dual-use regulatory framework, particularly with respect to the EU Industrial Accelerator Act (France 24, 27/04/2026).

Industry professionals are facing an export prohibition for dual-use goods to seven EU entities since April 26, 2026.

Sources: South China Morning Post, 26/04/2026; Global Times, 24/04/2026; Reuters, 24/04/2026; Bloomberg, 26/04/2026; France 24, 27/04/2026; Global Banking and Finance Review, 27/04/2026