EAEU extends zero duty on manganese ore until 2028 amid EU ban
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The Eurasian Economic Commission Board zeroed the import duty on manganese ores and concentrates with manganese content of at least 20% under Decision No. 104 of 11 August 2026. The zero rate takes effect 10 days after publication and remains until 31 August 2028, extending the previous benefit. The measure follows EU restrictions on supplies and covers material used in armor, artillery barrels and drone batteries.
Key Facts
- EEC Decision No. 104 of 11 August 2026 zeroes the import duty on manganese ores and concentrates with manganese content of 20% or more under HS code 2602 00 000 0.
- The zero rate enters force 10 days after publication and remains in effect until 31 August 2028 inclusive, extending the previous benefit.
- Russia's consumption of metallic manganese is fully covered by imports, with China supplying 99% on average in 2020–2024, according to BusinesStat.
- In 2023, almost 90% of the 2 million tonnes of manganese ore exported to Russia was transshipped through Estonian and Latvian ports, mainly Riga and Ventspils, according to Postimees.
- The main supplier countries of manganese ore to Russia were South Africa, Gabon, Brazil and Côte d'Ivoire.
The EEC Decision
The Eurasian Economic Commission Board adopted Decision No. 104 on 11 August 2026, fully zeroing import duty on manganese ores and concentrates with manganese content of at least 20% under HS code 2602 00 000 0. The zero rate enters force 10 days after publication and remains in effect until 31 August 2028 inclusive. The measure extends a previous benefit and covers raw ore and concentrate, not processed metallic manganese. Russia's entire consumption of metallic manganese for metallurgy and ferroalloy production is met by imports, with China supplying 99% on average in 2020–2024, according to BusinesStat.
Military and Battery Demand
Manganese is used in Hadfield manganese steel for armor, tank tracks, rail crossings and crusher jaws; Latvian outlet Kontekst.lv links manganese ore to high-quality steel for gun barrels, armoured vehicles and tracks. A newer demand channel is NMC lithium-ion battery cathodes, made from nickel, manganese and cobalt oxides, used in drones. The zeroed duty applies only to raw ore, and Russia has almost no processing capacity to convert ore into battery-grade manganese, which requires roasting, sulphuric acid leaching, purification and electrolysis. The decision comes against the backdrop of the EU ban on manganese ore supplies to Russia.
Baltic Transit Routes
In March 2024, Estonian newspaper Postimees reported that manganese ore shipments to Russia rose sharply after the invasion of Ukraine, with part of supplies from 2023 moving through the Estonian port of Sillamäe, half-owned by former Estonian prime minister Tiit Vähi, and through Latvia. Almost 90% of the 2 million tonnes of manganese ore exported to Russia in 2023 was transshipped via Estonia and Latvia, mainly through the ports of Riga and Ventspils. The main supplier countries were South Africa, Gabon, Brazil and Côte d'Ivoire. Exclusive.kz identifies a new role for Kazakhstan in manganese delivery chains.
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EAEU extends zero duty on manganese ore until 2028 amid EU ban
