Indonesia’s trade ministry is reported to be considering changes to its tin export regulation as a result of a surge in shipments of tin in forms other than ingots. All ingot sales have to be made via the Indonesia Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (ICDX), but solder wire and other tin products are exempt until 1 January 2015.
Increased solder exports seen as not normal by government, Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi told reporters in Jakarta today. “We’re evaluating it, whether to accelerate it or through other intervention,” Krisnamurthi told Bloomberg, referring to the solder trade exemption deadline. “If something less than perfect, it will be perfected”, he said.
ITRI View: Solders and other non-ingot products have accounted for 22% of total tin checked by the ministry’s surveyors over the five months from September-January, but the share rose to 32% in January.
