China's crude imports rise in August (8.93 mbpd) and prelim September at ~7.2 mbpd, extending recovery
On August 8, 2026 China imported 37.93 million tonnes of crude (8.93 million barrels per day), up 6.2% month-on-month from July; preliminary vessel-tracking data put September arrivals near 7.2 million bpd, extending a two-month rebound in imports.
The desk brief
On August 8, 2026 China imported 37.93 million tonnes of crude (8.93 million barrels per day), up 6.2% month-on-month from July; preliminary vessel-tracking data put September arrivals near 7.2 million bpd, extending a two-month rebound in imports.
A month-on-month recovery in China crude demand is a supportive factor for global crude prices, which, if sustained, can raise export receipts and foreign-exchange buffers for oil exporters such as Angola and Nigeria. Higher oil revenues reduce fiscal and external financing pressure, potentially easing sovereign funding costs over medium-term maturities, conditional on other market and policy developments.
China customs' monthly crude import release for September and OPEC+ supply updates in coming weeks.
Sources & verification
Verified briefSupported by 3 independent publishers.
- China’s August oil imports rise for second month amid eased fuel export controlreutersSource published (opens in a new tab)
- China's Crude Imports Set to Hold at 7.2 Million Bpd in September | OilPrice.comoilprice.comSource published (opens in a new tab)
- China crude imports extend recovery; Aug intakes up 6% on monthicis.com (opens in a new tab)
Public references supporting this brief.