Nuclear Material

Nuclear Material in international trade specifically refers to special materials that can be used for nuclear weapons or nuclear energy production, mainly including plutonium, uranium-233, uranium-235 (enriched uranium with an abundance greater than 0.71%), and compounds or mixtures containing the above substances. This term is strictly controlled under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and is a sensitive item on national export control lists. Foreign trade practitioners should note: the import and export of nuclear materials usually require special licenses and are subject to end-user and end-use verification; unlike ordinary metal materials, their transactions involve national security, non-proliferation obligations, and international sanctions risks. The difference from 'radioactive material' is that nuclear material emphasizes fissile or fertile characteristics, while radioactive material has a broader scope (such as medical isotopes). When declaring customs, dedicated HS codes (such as Chapter 2844) must be used, and relevant IAEA documents must be submitted. Violation of controls may result in criminal penalties.