Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan has issued a new decree which specifies that from 1 July 2013 refined tin exports must have a minimum purity of 99.9% tin, up from the current figure of 99.85%. In addition exports of tin solders are also to be brought within the ministry’s export licencing system, starting from 1 January.
Like the previous rule that it replaces – a 2007 decree on tin exports which was the first attempt by the Indonesian authorities to regulate the activities of independent smelters – the new decree limits the shipment of tin ingots by only allowing delivery by registered exporters approved by the trade ministry. Exports also require the payment of a 3% royalty and technical verification by independent surveying companies prior to shipment.
Under the current licencing system 90,127 tonnes of metal was checked prior to export in the first eleven months of 2012. In addition unknown quantities of tin were exported in the form of solder without payment of royalties. Depending on how the new regulations are implemented, the new policy may reduce the volume of Indonesian metal being re-refined in other countries.
