U.S. import data show a sharp rise in supplies of critical minerals arriving through third countries seven months after Beijing barred direct exports of antimony, gallium and germanium to the United States. Customs records compiled by Reuters indicate that 3,834 metric tons of antimony oxides entered the U.S. from Thailand and Mexico between December and April—more than the previous three years combined. Trade flows point to trans-shipment of Chinese material. Thailand-based Thai Unipet Industries, a subsidiary of China’s Youngsun Chemicals, accounted for about 3,366 tons of the metal shipped to U.S. buyers in that period, dwarfing its previous volumes. Industry executives told Reuters they continue to secure smaller quantities of gallium and germanium from China through intermediaries, with shipments relabelled and routed via other Asian countries. The work-arounds highlight both growing competition for strategic minerals and challenges for Beijing’s export-control regime. China’s Commerce Ministry has acknowledged that overseas entities are collaborating with domestic firms to evade the rules and has vowed stricter enforcement, including fines and potential jail terms for serious violations. Despite higher prices, U.S. imports of the three minerals are on pace to match or exceed pre-ban levels.