Unreliable Entity List


The Unreliable Entity List is a Chinese government sanctions system announced by the Ministry of Commerce on 31 May 2019. Its specific provisions were officially released on 19 September 2020. The Ministry of Commerce stated that foreign enterprises, organizations or individuals that do not comply with market rules, violate the spirit of contracts, block or cut off supplies to Chinese enterprises for non-commercial purposes, and seriously damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises will be included in the list. Individuals and entities included in the list will be fined and restricted from traveling to China.

History

On 31 May 2019, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated that, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, China will establish an “unreliable entity list” system. The spokesperson said that foreign companies, organizations or individuals that do not comply with market rules, violate the spirit of contracts, impose blockades or supply cuts on Chinese companies for non-commercial purposes, or seriously damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies would be included in the unreliable entity list. On June 8, 2019, according to The New York Times, the National Development and Reform Commission held a meeting with American, British and South Korean technology companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Samsung and SK Hynix. Representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also attended. The New York Times quoted sources as saying that the Chinese government representatives clearly warned at the meeting that if any company wanted to withdraw its production lines from China, exceed the standard purpose of safe dispersal, or participate in the implementation of the United States government's sanctions on China, it could be included in the unreliable entity list and be punished. On 19 September 2020, China officially released the "Regulations on the Unreliable Entities List". Foreign entities included in the unreliable entities list may be restricted or prohibited from engaging in import and export activities related to China, or from investing in China.

Content

The regulations of the Ministry of Commerce state that, in order to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, maintain a fair and free international economic and trade order, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, other organizations or individuals, the "Regulations on the Unreliable Entities List" are formulated in accordance with the Foreign Trade Law, the National Security Law and other relevant laws. The Ministry stated that China would establish a working mechanism with the participation of relevant departments of the central government to be responsible for the organization and implementation of the unreliable entities list system and to decide whether to investigate the behavior of relevant foreign entities. Foreign entities included in the unreliable entities list may, depending on the actual situation, decide to take one or more of the following measures:
  1. Restricting or prohibiting it from engaging in import and export activities related to China;
  2. Restricting or prohibiting its investment in China;
  3. Restricting or prohibiting the entry of its relevant personnel, means of transport, etc.;
  4. Restrict or cancel the work permits, stay or residence qualifications of their relevant personnel in China;
  5. A fine of appropriate amount shall be imposed according to the severity of the circumstances;
  6. Other necessary measures.

    Inclusion criteria

According to a 2020 order issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the Chinese government will take into account the following factors when deciding whether to include an entity in the "Unreliable Entities List":
  1. Does the entity's behavior stem from non-commercial purposes and violate market rules, the spirit of contracts, and internationally accepted trade and economic rules?
  2. Does this entity engage in any actions such as imposing blockades, supply disruptions, or other discriminatory measures against Chinese entities?
  3. Does the entity's behavior stem from non-commercial purposes and violate market rules, the spirit of contracts, and internationally accepted trade and economic rules?
  4. Does the entity's actions cause substantial damage to the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, other organizations, or individuals?
  5. Does this entity pose a threat or harm to China's national sovereignty, security, or development interests?
  6. Other factors that to be considered.

    List

As of 9 October 2025, a total of 72 entities were included in the Unreliable Entities List, of which 55 were under sanctions. Except for two entities that were retaliated against by the second Trump administration for imposing tariffs on China, the rest were sanctioned for United States arms sales to Taiwan.