On July 10, 2026, China's Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs announced a temporary ban on exports of helium (HS code 2804290010), citing the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China. This decision could significantly tighten global helium supply, which is already strained due to Middle East conflicts, affecting critical industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, medical imaging, and scientific research. The ban takes immediate effect, and any future adjustments will be announced separately. Helium is essential for cooling extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines and as a carrier gas in wafer processing.
Background
Helium is a non-renewable noble gas critical for many high-tech applications. In semiconductor manufacturing, it is used for cooling, leak detection, and as a process gas. Recent geopolitical tensions have already removed an estimated 27-30% of global helium supply, causing spot prices to surge. China's export ban could further exacerbate shortages.