China’s crude oil imports down to 4-month low

China's daily crude oil imports fell to their lowest level in four months during May, following increases in March and April amid a downward price trend.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), China's total imports in May reached 46.6 million tons, equivalent to 10.97 million barrels per day (bpd), a 3% decrease month-on-month (MoM) and the lowest daily level in four months.

Oil imports shipments declined 0.8% year-on-year (YoY), while natural gas imports including piped gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell 10.8% YoY last month to 10.11 million tons.

Data released on Monday showed that China imported about 229.61 million tons of crude oil during the first five months of 2025, equivalent to 11.1 million bpd, marking a 0.3% increase YoY, as reported by Reuters.

May is typically the peak maintenance season in China, contributing to a 17.6% YoY decline in refined fuel exports last month, to 4.41 million tons.