China's Crude Oil Imports from Iran 2025 (Latest Data & Historical Trends)
China's crude oil imports from Iran and percentage of total imports
Quick Answer
China imported 900,000 barrels per day of crude oil from Iran in 2025, representing 7% of China's total oil imports. Despite US sanctions, China-Iran oil trade has continued through indirect channels. Data covers 2010-2025, showing fluctuating volumes based on diplomatic relations and sanctions pressure.
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China's Crude Oil Imports from Iran
Data Table
51 data points| Year | Iran imports | Total imports | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 0 | 1,820 | 0 |
| 1976 | 0 | 2,050 | 0 |
| 1977 | 0 | 2,180 | 0 |
| 1978 | 0 | 2,310 | 0 |
| 1979 | 0 | 1,840 | 0 |
| 1980 | 0 | 1,330 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 | 1,520 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 | 1,720 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 | 1,980 | 0 |
| 1984 | 0 | 2,290 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 2,900 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 | 3,420 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 3,850 | 0 |
| 1988 | 0 | 4,230 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 | 4,760 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 2,920 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 5,930 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 7,080 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 | 8,150 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 8,250 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 9,420 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 | 10,840 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 | 12,580 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 | 12,360 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 13,440 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 16,150 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 21,330 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 25,080 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 | 34,560 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 | 41,230 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 51,650 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 | 61,220 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 | 70,320 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 92,380 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2,030 | 10,120 | 20.06 |
| 2010 | 2,130 | 11,760 | 18.11 |
| 2011 | 2,760 | 12,530 | 22.03 |
| 2012 | 2,870 | 13,440 | 21.35 |
| 2013 | 2,480 | 14,150 | 17.53 |
| 2014 | 2,750 | 15,480 | 17.77 |
| 2015 | 2,650 | 16,670 | 15.9 |
| 2016 | 3,120 | 18,120 | 17.22 |
| 2017 | 3,100 | 19,460 | 15.94 |
| 2018 | 2,930 | 20,920 | 14 |
| 2019 | 1,470 | 24,280 | 6.05 |
| 2020 | 3,920 | 25,720 | 15.24 |
| 2021 | 5,130 | 26,150 | 19.62 |
| 2022 | 4,050 | 28,030 | 14.45 |
| 2023 | 4,280 | 29,070 | 14.72 |
| 2024 | 4,520 | 30,580 | 14.78 |
| 2025 | 4,750 | 32,120 | 14.79 |
About This Dataset
China's crude oil imports from Iran and percentage of total imports
China's China's Crude Oil Imports from Iran in 2025 was N/A (10,000 tons / Percentage). The dataset spans 51 data points from 1975 to 2025, updated yearly.
API
curl https://chinadata.live/api/v2/data/china-iran-oil-imports 📚 How to Cite This Data
Citation Format:
China Data Portal (2026). China's Crude Oil Imports from Iran. Retrieved from https://chinadata.live/data/china-iran-oil-imports/
Primary Source:
China Customs, General Administration of Customs China
Last Updated:
2026-05-28T06:37:51.528Z
API Access:
GET https://chinadata.live/api/v2/data/china-iran-oil-imports Frequently Asked Questions
How much oil does China import from Iran?
China imports approximately 1-1.5 million barrels per day of crude oil from Iran in normal years, making China by far Iran's largest customer. However, volumes fluctuate sharply based on US sanctions enforcement — dropping to near zero during strict enforcement and rebounding when enforcement loosens.
Why does China buy Iranian oil?
China buys Iranian crude at significant discounts to international benchmarks like Brent — typically $5-$15 per barrel below market price. For China, which imports over 70% of its oil, these discounts save billions annually. Iranian oil is also a supply diversification strategy.
How do US sanctions affect China-Iran oil trade?
US sanctions directly impact China-Iran oil trade. During strict enforcement (2019-2020), Chinese imports from Iran dropped sharply. In 2026, the Iran conflict and intensified secondary sanctions pressure caused total China-Iran trade to collapse — exports fell 90% from January to March 2026.
What percentage of China's oil comes from Iran?
Iran typically accounts for 5-10% of China's total crude oil imports, depending on the year and sanctions environment. China's total crude imports exceed 500 million tons annually, sourced from Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Angola, Brazil, and other suppliers.
What is the data source?
This data is sourced from China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) official statistical releases. Note that some analysts believe official figures may understate actual Iran oil flows, as some Iranian crude enters China relabeled as originating from Malaysia, Oman, or UAE.