China has announced new export controls on tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and related equipment, a move set to impact India’s infrastructure development. The curbs will take effect from November 18.
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said the measures are to “safeguard national security and interests” and cover items with dual-use characteristics. Exporters will now need to apply for licenses under China’s export control law for dual-use items.
The restrictions cover TBMs, walking excavators, plateau-type wet shotcrete machines used in high-altitude areas, and key dredger components like slurry pumps, dragheads and cutterheads. In 2025, China exported about $793 million worth of tunnelling machinery.
For India, the impact could be significant. TBMs are critical for underground metro systems, the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project including its 7-km undersea tunnel, highway tunnels and border area projects.
India has already faced delays since 2024. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had flagged in 2024 that Beijing was blocking German firm Herrenknecht from exporting TBMs manufactured in China to India.
The move follows China’s draft plan to restrict 14 advanced technologies including AI, biotech and solar PV, and comes days after it proposed curbs on 40 cutting-edge technologies.
