The shortage of container shipping is a "snowballing problem" that is impeding exports of scrap products from the United States, according to industry participants at a recent virtual meeting of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).
The global tightness in containers supply, combined with the confusion surrounding China's implementation of their new policy for copper scrap imports, is a major hurdle for business, webinar participants heard during the Non-Ferrous Division Virtual Winter Meeting on Tuesday January 26.Copper scrap consignments to China are reportedly being rejected by Chinese customs officials if it does not meet the strict new requirements for "recyclable copper material," and exporters are also facing a three to four week delay as every single consignment is being inspected, ISRI's vice president of advocacy Adina Renee Adler said during the virtual meeting."Maybe not every package or load, but every consignment is being inspected," Adler said, adding that consignments are getting rejected if there is evidence of plastic, paint or other impurities. "Be sure to send only metal," Adler said.The three to four week delay at ports is adding to the costs of exporting as well,...