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CARBIDE SELLER GUIDE
The 2026 Tungsten Export Rule: What Carbide Sellers Need to Know
A federal rule now requires U.S. sellers of tungsten waste and scrap to sell 100% domestically. Here is what it means if you hold carbide scrap — and why domestic buyers matter more than ever.
What the rule actually says.
On August 6, 2026, the Bureau of Industry and Security published a Temporary Final Rule implementing a Directive Allocation Order under the Defense Production Act. In plain terms: U.S. sellers of tungsten waste and scrap (Schedule B 8101.97.00.00) must allocate 100% of monthly sales to U.S. persons — exports are effectively banned without a BIS license or exception. Customs can detain shipments that do not comply. The order covers tungsten scrap and also black mass from lithium battery recycling.
Why it happened.
Tungsten prices rose roughly 622% from January 2025 to April 2026, driven by Chinese export controls and defense demand. The United States has no active tungsten mines, and U.S. exports of tungsten waste and scrap surged — over 2,100 tonnes in the first half of 2026 alone, mostly to Japan, Germany, and South Korea. The allocation order keeps that material inside the country. From January 1, 2027, defense procurement also bars tungsten sourced from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
What it means if you sell carbide scrap.
Three practical effects: first, if you sell tungsten scrap, your buyer must now be domestic — no exceptions without a BIS license. Second, exporters forced to sell at home add near-term domestic supply, which is exactly when choosing an established domestic buyer matters. Third, the strategic direction is clear: domestic tungsten demand is a national priority, and domestic buyers are where the market is heading. Ironcrest buys carbide scrap for domestic processors — compliant by default, no export paperwork on your end.
Sell it the straightforward way.
Photograph what you have — nameplates, labels, and overall condition — and send it to Ironcrest for today’s offer. We buy nationally and coordinate pickup from your site.
Sell your carbide to Ironcrest → | Call or text 312-880-8174 | Send photos →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions, answered.
Does the rule ban all tungsten scrap exports?
Effectively yes for the order’s duration: sellers must allocate 100% of monthly tungsten waste and scrap sales to U.S. persons. A BIS license or exception is the only way around it.
How long does the allocation order last?
August 27, 2026 through August 27, 2027 — one year, unless extended or modified by further federal action.
What counts as tungsten waste and scrap under the rule?
Material under Schedule B 8101.97.00.00 — which includes tungsten carbide scrap, inserts, end mills, drills, and related forms.
I only sell domestically. Does the rule affect me?
You are already compliant. The practical effect is more sellers competing for domestic buyers — which makes an established domestic buyer relationship more valuable, not less.
Will the rule change what my carbide is worth?
Markets adjust to supply shifts; no honest buyer predicts your price from a headline. What you can control: selling clean, sorted, well-documented material to a domestic buyer — that always commands the strongest offer.
THE RULE
One year. Domestic only.
The allocation order runs August 27, 2026 through August 27, 2027 — and it reshapes where every pound of U.S. tungsten scrap can go.
New: Explore the Ironcrest Copper Resource Center — grades, markets, identification guides, and interactive tools.
HOW SELLING WORKS
Three steps to an offer.
Material review
We review what the material is, its condition and quantity, and whether it fits a direct purchase.
Receive an offer
For qualifying material, we discuss a direct purchase offer and the next steps.