China is moving to allow all domestic companies to import Australian coal, signalling an end to trade restrictions imposed in late 2020.
Ports and customs offices have been advised to allow goods shipments from Australia. Earlier this year, Chinese authorities have given four principal importers permission to resume purchases of Australian coal, with shipments beginning in January.
China’s steel manufacturers and power plants seek high-quality Australian coal. Imports could reach 1 million tonnes in the first half of March alone, according to China’s largest coal group. The country is the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, and its imports exceeded 290 million tonnes last year.
