Chinese customs data showed China has bought significantly more copper scrap from Russia since December, while Russian figures showed the amount of scrap exported to the country’s biggest trade partner was negligible. Russian customs said: “The Federal customs service temporarily does not provide data on foreign trade.” It stopped publishing trade data in April 2022 shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the market has relied on commercial providers.

Asked about the trade in copper rod to Chinese firms, RCC, which is subject to Western sanctions, said that it supplies products only to Russian companies. It did not comment further. China’s customs in Xinjiang, which borders Russia, did not respond to an emailed inquiry and a telephone call.  

China has become a major destination for Russian companies seeking to export their commodities after the United States imposed sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Chinese companies for supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.