China Imposes Reciprocal Restrictions on EU-Origin Medical Devices in Government Procurement, with Industry Attention Focused on Three Key Categories

China has introduced reciprocal restrictions on certain medical devices originating from the European Union in response to the EU’s ongoing procurement barriers against Chinese medical products. As clarified by the Ministry of Commerce, these new regulations solely impact imports from the EU and will not apply to devices manufactured in China by EU-funded companies.

A recent notice from the Ministry of Finance outlines that starting July 6, 2025, procurement projects for medical devices exceeding 45 million yuan in value must exclude EU firms from bidding, unless the products in question are the only ones that can meet performance requirements. For contracts involving non-EU firms, the proportion of EU-origin equipment must remain under 50% of the total contract sum. Bidding processes concluded before this implementation date will not be affected.

Industry analysts expect the measure to heavily influence advanced categories such as artificial organs, life-support systems, extracorporeal circulation devices, and other high-value implantable and interventional medical supplies. While blood products are also included in the new policy, experts suggest the impact will be minimal, as purchases in this category rarely exceed the budget threshold.

At a press briefing, a Ministry of Commerce official explained that the European Commission enacted procurement restrictions against Chinese medical products in June 2025. After repeated but unsuccessful negotiations, China opted for a proportional policy response. The restrictions apply solely to EU-origin goods and do not extend to EU-based operations within China.
Figures from the Pharmaceutical Promotion Association and PharmNet show that in 2023, China imported 101.039 billion yuan worth of medical devices from the EU—accounting for 42.97% of total import value. High-tech equipment like MRI and CT scanners made up nearly 45% of that total. Throughout the first half of 2024, the EU remained the leading source of China’s imported medical devices.

Sector analyst Wang Qiang observed that while the policy covers widely used categories, its principal effect will be felt in the market for complex, high-value devices with considerable technical thresholds. He also pointed out that many foreign manufacturers, including those from the EU, have already localized production within China. The share of domestically made CT and MRI equipment has expanded notably, supported by centralized procurement initiatives