China’s crude imports decline again in May - JLC

China imported about 46.60 million mt of crude oil in May, market intelligence provider JLC reported, citing data from the General Administration of Customs (GACC).

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The daily crude oil imports in May stood at 1.50 million mt (10.97 million b/d), a decline of 6.2% from April, JLC reported.

“China's crude imports dropped to an average level in May 2025, as demand weakened amid peak refinery maintenance,” JLC said.

A decrease in crude imports in the world’s second-largest oil consuming nation may put some downward pressure on oil prices, according to market analysts.

China’s crude imports in May were about 0.8% lower than the corresponding month in 2024.

The country imported a total of about 229.62 million mt of crude oil in the first five months of this year, about 0.3% higher than the same period in 2024, according to JLC.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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