Apparently you can’t find a lot of neodymium magnets on Aliexpress anymore as China banned exports of certain rare earth minerals and magnets as part of the trade war. I’m guessing sooner or later, the Bambu store would also be affected.
As a maker - you can stock up, but as a creator - if you design something that uses magnets that no one can buy later (at reasonable prices), then you just won’t get any downloads.
Background:
I guess we shouldn’t design with magnets till this blows over? Thoughts?
Let’s keep the conversation pragmatic and apolitical.
Bambu printers have magnets in them. Does that mean printers are done for exports? lol.
In reality, at least the current one, the price didn’t change for magnets. So … nothing is changed? After all, China is not the only manufacturer, albeit the biggest one.
Where did you get the idea that you weren’t getting downloads? The world isn’t just America, the rest of the world isn’t affected.
Besides, it’s not even certain that it affects you as an individual. Magnets are very light, which makes them ideal for importing from other countries in small quantities.
I understand what you’re saying, but you’re exaggerating, unless you’re a company in America installing millions of magnets. No-one can stop you ordering a few magnets from Europe, Africa or Asia in general.
You may not know this but the PRC produces about 90% of all the neodymium magnets. The other 10% mostly come from Germany and Japan, using Chinese neodymium. (China also produces 80% of all raw neodymium).
It might be difficult to “just buy from somewhere else”.
Then you haven’t understood my comment at all: Only direct import from China to the USA is affected, companies like i.e. Tesla, Ford, etc. There is nothing stopping you from ordering magnets in Germany, Italy, Japan, for example. The list is endless.
Just because some people don’t understand that AliExpress is not the only retailer. An alternative that is available right now: Amazon Europe. Or as you yourself have recognized: Japan. We live in a global world, it’s time to stop only using AliExpress and start using the many alternatives.
No, the PRC’s export ban is global and they make 90% of the magnets and 80% of the material to make the magnets. I can buy magnets NOW as traders outside of the PRC have stock, but they cannot easily restock.
China has stopped exporting rare earths to everyone, not just the U.S … In the meantime, shipments of rare earths have been halted at many ports, with customs officials blocking exports to any country, including to the U.S. as well as Japan and Germany, sources told the Times. China’s Ministry of Commerce issued export restrictions alongside the General Administration of Customs, prohibiting Chinese businesses from any engagement with U.S. firms, especially defense contractors.
It’s to prevent the US breaking sanctions, and to force others to place pressure on the US.
I’m not answering anymore because you don’t understand at all how the global market works and what china’s goal is. They still want to trade with other countries. They just don’t want Germany, for example, to buy magnets and supply them to the USA.
You should also read international news and not just news sites that are pro-US and against China. The page you linked feels like it consists of 80% Trump news and 20% fake news. You need to take your heads out of the dust and realize that China still wants to do business with other countries, and why not?
If you already recommend using google, try using the international google and not the American focused one. Or even better, a completely different search engine.
The problem is that some people live in a bubble and don’t understand how the African or Asian market, for example, works. Most people don’t even realise how many countries there are on the continent. There are enough countries that have a very good trade relationship with China.
“The export curbs include not only mined minerals but permanent magnets and other finished products that will be difficult to replace, analysts said.”
“The move, which affects exports to all countries, not just the U.S., is the latest demonstration of China’s ability to weaponize its dominance over the mining and processing of the critical minerals.”
No offense, but this is the same news only copied. Exactly the same text copied. If you read the message carefully, you will see that not all countries are banned, but controlled. Exactly what I wrote.
So far there is no evidence that Europe, Africa or Asia cannot buy magnets. I’ll post a news report from the perspective of Europa, which reads completely differently, here is the translation:
The news came to light in passing. And yet it is highly relevant to the tariff war being waged by US President Donald Trump against China. During a routine investor call on April 22, Elon Musk had to admit that production of his humanoid robot Optimus had come to a standstill. According to Musk, China had suspended the export of the rare earth components he needed for it.
Specifically, Beijing is no longer supplying him with high-performance magnets. Without these, the servomotors in Tesla’s humanoids would not work. “We are working with China to find a solution,” said Musk. “They want certain assurances that these magnets will not be used for military purposes,” said the Tesla CEO, as reported from the investor meeting.
China’s move is primarily aimed at hitting particularly important industries and manufacturers in the US, both economically and militarily, in return for the high tariffs. These include the big tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia, as well as car manufacturers such as Tesla, VW and Co. outside the USA and Samsung, who are likely to feel the consequences.
Banned or controlled isn’t a huge difference. Either way it means rare earth magnets will be in short supply if this situation continues.
The point is that China knew they had this pressure point and they are now using it. As long as this lasts, hobby magnet uses will likely be impacted as elements get funneled into critical uses.
Another user that is getting iced out is elon musk and his robots. He needs specialized motors that apparently he can’t get now.
I see it differently, but okay, we have different opinions: Banned: One country is no longer supplied at all. Controlled: The others get magnets, but it is controlled that they do not go directly to US companies, for example.
The proof that a private person cannot import magnets in the USA is still missing. That was the whole topic. To be precise: It was about creators no longer receiving downloads and points, at all. I still miss the source, as the rest oft the world still have magnets.
So for example Europeans can still order magnets directly from china, because they also get along well with china.
We shouldn’t lose track of the actual topic, it’s not about trading war, but whether you should no longer use magnets as a creator. So far, I personally see no reason to not use magnets, if you think globally.
First, I have said in another post this very day (which you can probably easily find in my forum profile) that I am currently boycotting US product. Are you accusing me of being pro-America?
Secondly I am a Singaporean temporarily living in Europe, though it’s harder for me to prove that. But given this, I am very certain that I understand the Asian market given our geographical location and the fact that half the country speaks Mandarin.
This is the most recent PRC regulation I could find
Ministry of Commerce (of Peoples Republic of China) General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 18 of 2025, 4 April 2025 商务部 海关总署公告2025年第18号 公布对部分中重稀土相关物项实施出口管制的决定
This is an export control on (amongst other things) high strength permanent magnets containing the specific materials listed.
It appears that low strength or low temperature magnets (those not containing significant quanties of the above) would be unaffected, but I cannot find a definition of the percentage and I don’t think the magnet shops can either, as we’re seeing shortages and price rises starting to take effect, even in NdFeB which should theoretically not be affected.
Export control means exporters must apply for a license for any sale leaving China.
(I’m not an expert in this subject, my main relevant skill is that I know what a chemical element is, and I can read English and Mandarin)
How am I supposed to know what you write in another topic? I don’t read every post by a user in other topics. Do you know how a forum works? Do you read all my posts from months ago? Do you read all posts from other users in completely different topics? We don’t even need to discuss that.
Secondly, I never accused you of being pro-America, I was referring to the news website.
You ignore the argument that other countries are still being supplied.
I’m sorry, but your behavior is too childish for me, I’m blocking you. This is not about who wins. This is not a competition. You’re not addressing OP’s topic at all. Instead of starting a battle with me, read OP’s question again.
I’ll even quote it again:
Edit: @Eponymous - I actually looked right now at your profile, you don’t upload any 3D models of your own. You only visit the forum to ask questions and for your problems. Which is perfectly fine! However, you can’t speak from the perspective of a creator.
