BEIJING, Oct 20 Reuters China39;s curbs on exports of gallium and germanium products choked off international shipments of the chipmaking metals for a second consecutive month, customs data for September showed on Friday.

China39;s exports of wrought germanium products stood at 1 kilogram, versus zero in August after a flurry of buying prior to the restrictions saw shipments of wrought products surge to 8.63 metric tons in July.

Under the customs code for germanium oxides and zirconium dioxide, the data showed exports of 1,420 tons in September, versus 1,034 tons in August.

It was not possible to verify if the shipments were made up of only zirconium dioxide or also included some germanium oxide.

China exported no wrought gallium products in August and September. It had exported 5.57 tons in September 2022.

In July, China unveiled restrictions on exports of eight gallium and six germanium products starting on Aug. 1, the latest salvo in an escalating war between Beijing and Washington over access to materials used in making hightech microchips.

Exporters of germanium and gallium products now need to obtain an export licence for dualuse items and technologies, meaning those with potential military and civilian applications.

Some Chinese companies have obtained export licences for gallium and germanium products, the Ministry of Commerce said in September.

The spot price of germanium ingot was at 9,700 yuan per kilogram kgon Sept. 28, unchanged on the month, data…