China's thermal coal imports fell in May 2026 compared with a year earlier, customs data showed.

Imports of thermal coal (non-coking coal) totaled 22.12 million tonnes (Mt) in May, down 22.8% year on year but up 1.55% from the previous month.

The import value stood at $1.63 billion, down 15.12% from a year earlier and up 7.42% month on month. The average import price was $73.67/t, up 9.95% year on year and 5.8% from a month ago.

For the January-May period, China imported 128 Mt of thermal coal, down 11.77% year on year. The import value was $8.56 billion, down 13.46% from the same period last year.

The average import price for the first five months was $66.93/t, down 1.91% compared with a year earlier.