Building Materials Foreign Trade Enters Low-carbon Era, Prefabricated Products Become Main Export Growth Driver

Aug 11,2026

With the implementation of global carbon tariff and green certification regulations, exports of traditional high-energy-consuming building materials face pressure.

Global rules for building materials trade have undergone concentrated adjustments in 2026. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has been fully expanded, the US revised its 232 tariff list to cover construction steel and ordinary ceramic tiles, and the export tax rebate policy for some traditional domestic building materials has been optimized, triggering structural restructuring across the import and export sector. Export costs for low-end stone, precast cement components and ordinary sanitary ceramics have risen by 3 to 5 percentage points, making the extensive export model relying on price advantages unsustainable. In sharp contrast, green categories such as prefabricated modular buildings, photovoltaic supporting materials and low-carbon thermal insulation boards enjoy customs clearance conveniences and tax preferences. Overseas exports of prefabricated building materials surged by over 45% year-on-year in the first half of the year. Markets including the UK, Australia and Canada prioritize energy-saving and environmentally friendly modular housing solutions. Dividends from the RCEP continue to deliver results, with concentrated infrastructure projects launched across Southeast Asian countries driving steady demand for waterproof rolls, system doors and windows, and new wall panels. Countries along the Belt and Road Initiative account for more than 52% of total building materials exports. Core industry challenges lie in three aspects: alignment with international green standards, soaring cross-border logistics costs and disparate technical barriers among economies. In the long run, building material products with complete environmental certifications, localized installation solutions and compliance with regional construction codes will maintain competitive edges. Low-carbon transformation, intelligent upgrading and localized operation across the whole industrial chain will dominate the long-term development of international building materials trade.

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