China Helium in 2026: Imports, the Export Ban and Domestic Production

How dependent is China on imported helium?

Heavily. Data from the China Industrial Gases Industry Association, cited by Global Times, show total domestic helium supply of 5,818 tons in 2025, of which 4,913 tons were imported, an external dependence ratio of 84% ^[3]. Geopolitechs puts dependence at about 84% to 87% depending on the calculation method ^[1], and Trivium China says the country imports more than 85% of its helium ^[2].

The sources of those imports narrowed sharply over the past few years. Until 2022 China imported about 95% of its helium, with US suppliers controlling most of it, according to bne IntelliNews; by the end of 2024 the US share of China's supply had fallen below 5% ^[9]. Qatar and Russia filled the gap. Together they supplied about 98% of China's helium imports ^[1], and Qatar alone accounted for about 54% in 2025, according to Jiemian News ^[5].

That concentration became a problem in March 2026. Qatar supplies about a third of global helium, and attacks on its Ras Laffan facilities crippled its exports, Trivium China notes ^[2]. Geopolitechs adds that Qatar's export capacity may be about 14% lower even after a partial recovery ^[1].

Why did China ban helium exports?

To keep scarce helium inside the country. On 10 July 2026 the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 29 of 2026, a "temporary export prohibition" on helium under customs code 2804290010, effective immediately and with no end date ^[1]. Trivium China describes the two-sentence announcement as a defensive measure to stop distributors from exporting helium for profit at the expense of domestic supply security, after prices had been very high since March ^[2].

Geopolitechs lists three aims: keeping domestic helium at home, preventing re-export of imported helium when international prices exceed domestic ones, and giving Beijing more control over how scarce supply is allocated among chipmakers, hospitals, aerospace, research and industry ^[1].

China was never a large exporter. Its exports were about 438 tons in the first eleven months of 2025, roughly 2.6 million cubic metres or 1% to 2% of global output ^[1]. Trivium China therefore expects the direct impact on the world market to be minimal ^[2].

On 16 July Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong said China will adjust its helium export controls "in a timely manner" based on changes in supply and demand at home and abroad ^[4]. He said the move complies with China's Foreign Trade Law and WTO rules, Global Times reported ^[3].

How much helium does China produce?

Far less than its capacity. Geopolitechs estimates actual output of about 4.6 million cubic metres in 2025 against nominal capacity of roughly 14.7 million cubic metres, with many plants running well below design levels ^[1]. Guosen Securities figures cited by Jiemian News show 4.63 million cubic metres of output and 14.66 million cubic metres of capacity ^[5]. China's helium is mostly found with natural gas, often at low grades that are expensive to extract ^[1].

Output is rising from a low base. Production grew at roughly 65% a year over three years from near zero in 2020, bne IntelliNews reports, and Sinopec's Yurungkash plant in Xinjiang, operating since 2022, produces about 200,000 cubic metres a year ^[9]. The Ministry of Natural Resources reported 4.07 billion cubic metres of newly proven helium reserves in 2021–2025 ^[5].

The bigger gap is ultra-high-purity helium for chips. Industry estimates cited by TrendForce put China's ultra-high-purity capacity at about 1.2 million cubic metres a year, meeting roughly 5% of domestic demand, with output possibly exceeding 3 million cubic metres in 2026 ^[6]. Guangdong Huate Gas is reported to be in mass production of 6N (99.9999%) helium with ASML certification, and Zhongke Fuhai has developed boil-off gas extraction with recovery of up to 98% ^[6].

What happened to helium prices in China?

They roughly doubled at the peak. A Jiangsu supplier told Jiemian News in early April that helium had reached about 760 yuan per cubic metre, around twice normal levels, as Qatari production stopped and panic buying spread ^[5]. Industry consultant Phil Kornbluth estimated that about 200 specialised liquid helium containers were stranded around the Strait of Hormuz ^[5].

International prices moved in the same direction. Fab Economics figures cited by Business Today show semiconductor-grade liquid helium on long-term contracts rising from $15–22 per litre before the conflict to $22–35, while spot buyers without contracts faced $40–55 rising to $85–110 or more ^[8].

Analyst Wu Chenhui told Global Times he expects domestic prices to stabilise gradually as supplies from Qatar and Russia recover ^[3].

Can Russia replace Qatari helium for China?

Only partly. Gazprom's Amur Gas Processing Plant near the Chinese border is Russia's largest helium production site, and China is the largest buyer of Russian helium, according to The Moscow Times ^[7]. But in April Russia introduced export controls that run until the end of 2027: shipments to countries outside the Eurasian Economic Union need oversight from the Industry and Trade Ministry and approval from the prime minister or his deputies ^[7]. Trivium China says these controls create uncertainty over new shipment approvals ^[2].

Russia produced about 18 million cubic metres of helium in 2025, against about 63 million in Qatar and 81 million in the United States, out of global output of roughly 190 million cubic metres, according to USGS data cited by Geopolitechs ^[1].

What does China's helium export ban mean for chipmakers elsewhere?

Mostly an indirect squeeze. Analysts quoted by Business Today say China's restrictions aim to protect domestic supply rather than target overseas chipmakers ^[8]. Danish Faruqui of Fab Economics expects China's protection of domestic reserves to absorb more of the supply that was not disrupted, such as output from Russia's Amur facility, leaving fabs in the United States, South Korea and Taiwan to compete harder for the rest ^[8].

China's own chipmakers are a growing share of demand. Its semiconductor industry used about 4.4 million cubic metres of helium in 2024, roughly 16% of national demand ^[1]. Advanced fabs can recycle up to 90% of the helium they use, but less advanced fabs have limited recycling capacity ^[2]. Our article on helium and chipmaking compares exposure across Asia.

Questions: China and helium

Why did China ban helium exports?

To protect domestic supply after Qatar's outage. The ban, issued on 10 July 2026 as Announcement No. 29, stops distributors exporting helium for profit and gives Beijing more control over allocation ^[1,2].

How much of its helium does China import?

About 84% in 2025: 4,913 tons of imports against total supply of 5,818 tons, according to the China Industrial Gases Industry Association ^[3].

Where does China get its helium?

Mainly from Qatar and Russia, which together supplied about 98% of imports ^[1]. Qatar alone accounted for about 54% in 2025 ^[5].

Will China lift the helium export ban?

The ban has no end date. The Ministry of Commerce said on 16 July that it will adjust the controls in a timely manner as supply and demand change ^[4].

What to watch

• Ministry of Commerce announcements on adjusting or lifting the ban ^[3,4].
• Russian export approvals under the controls that run to the end of 2027 ^[7].
• Qatari helium output as Ras Laffan recovers ^[1,2].
• New Chinese ultra-high-purity capacity coming online ^[6].

For the global picture, see our helium shortage tracker and the helium topic page.

Alupetra tracks helium, LNG and industrial gas markets from Istanbul, London and Dubai; Alupetra does not deal with sanctioned parties.