Regulatory
China — oil import rules
2 product categories open to private trade, 2 restricted, 0 blocked. These are the same rules the OilFlow matching engine uses when screening listings destined for China.
Product-by-product
- Crude oil
- Restricted — government/monopoly routeCrude imports controlled via MOFCOM quota system. State majors (Sinopec, CNPC, CNOOC, Sinochem) hold structural quotas; independent 'teapot' refiners (Shandong) receive annual NDC allocations. Private quota holders also exist (Hengli, Zhejiang Petrochemical, Shenghong).
- Refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet)
- Restricted — government/monopoly routeRefined-product import/export quotas allocated by MOFCOM. Major exporter of gasoline, diesel, jet to Asia.
- LPG
- Allowed for private tradeStandard licensing applies. No special restrictions recorded.
- LNG
- Allowed for private tradeCNOOC, Sinopec, PetroChina dominate; independent terminals (ENN, Yulong) rising. World's largest LNG importer (overtook Japan 2021).
Frequently asked
- Can private companies import crude oil into China?
- Crude imports controlled via MOFCOM quota system. State majors (Sinopec, CNPC, CNOOC, Sinochem) hold structural quotas; independent 'teapot' refiners (Shandong) receive annual NDC allocations. Private quota holders also exist (Hengli, Zhejiang Petrochemical, Shenghong).
- Are refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline) tradeable by private importers in China?
- Refined-product import/export quotas allocated by MOFCOM. Major exporter of gasoline, diesel, jet to Asia.
- Does OilFlow screen listings against China regulations?
- Yes. The same rule table shown on this page drives the matching engine — buyer-side listings that can't legally clear in China are rejected before they reach a seller.