China may export a maximum of 5,387 tons of silver in 2012, a 5% reduction from the 5,670 ton max for 2011, according to the ministry.
To put this number in perspective, 283 tons is 9.1 Million troy ounces, roughly 1/3 of the remaining supply of registered (deliverable) silver at the COMEX.
Google translated from the Chinese Press release: http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/b/e/201110/20111007806527.html?2278932554=111458252
Ministry of Commerce Notice No. 71 of 2011 published in 2012 the total export quotas for agricultural and industrial products
2011-10-31 14:35 Source: Department of Foreign Trade
Article type: Original: Policy
[Issued by the Ministry of Commerce]
[Document number] issued Notice No. 71 of 2011
【Date】 2011-10-31
Under the "import and export regulations" and "export quota management approach", is published in 2012 the total export quotas for agricultural and industrial products. Applicants who meet the conditions of the quota can be passed by the relevant provisions of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, separately listed cities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, or apply directly to the Ministry of Commerce. Ministry of Commerce of the time the application is accepted, 2011 November 1 to November 15.
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic
October 31, 2011
2012 export quota of the total agricultural and industrial products
Category
Name
Unit
Tungsten and tungsten products (metal content)
Ten thousand tons
1.54
Tin and tin products (metal content)
Ten thousand tons
Silver (metal)
T
5387
