According to China Customs data, China's stainless steel imports in December 2024 totaled approximately 142,000 tons, a month-on-month increase of 12,000 tons but a significant year-on-year decline of 126,000 tons. The total annual import volume dropped by about 193,000 tons compared to the previous year. Major import sources included Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Germany, which together accounted for 93.98% of December's total imports. Indonesia remained the largest supplier, contributing over 83% of total imports for the year.

China's stainless steel exports surged to about 466,000 tons in December, a year-on-year increase of 130,000 tons. For the year, exports rose by 907,000 tons compared to the previous year. Among them, Vietnam was the top export destination, receiving 463,000 tons, up by 161,000 tons year-on-year. Taiwan and Cambodia also saw notable increases.