BEIJING, Jan 14 (Reuters) - China's rare earth exports in 2025 hit the highest level since at least 2014, even as Beijing began restricting shipments of several medium to heavy elements from April.

The world's top producer last year shipped out a total of 62,585 metric tons of the group of 17 elements used in everything from consumer electronics, automotive to defence equipments with an annual rise of 12.9%, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Wednesday.

China in April added seven medium and heavy rare earth elements and magnets to its export control list in response to hefty U.S. tariffs, leading to a sharp fall in exports of magnets in April and May.

But shipments gradually recovered from June thanks to a series of agreements reached between China and the United States and Europe.

For December, outbound shipments fell 20% from the month before to 4,392 tons, as overseas buying appetite receded following a build up in stocks ahead of the Christmas break.

The December volume was, however, 32% higher than 3,326 tons in the same month in 2024.

Many overseas buyers booked more volumes in November in preparation for the holiday break last month, said an analyst on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to media.