China’s fuel exports in October 2026: the holiday halt and the resumption
Updated
China resumed exports of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel after the National Day holiday: on 8–9 October 2026 Reuters reported, citing traders, that refiners got October approvals of about 3.7 million tonnes, less than in September. Before the holiday, on 1 October, Reuters reported that refiners had suspended most October exports except to Hong Kong and Macau, and Brent crude rose by about US$3, back above US$100 a barrel. There has been no official announcement: Beijing vets fuel exports month by month.
Timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | After the war with Iran began, China told its top refiners to halt diesel and gasoline exports. |
| July–September 2026 | Beijing eased the restrictions and exports resumed. |
| 30 September 2026 | PetroChina cancelled several gasoline and jet fuel cargoes planned for October. |
| 1 October 2026 | Reuters: no export permits for October outside Hong Kong and Macau; Brent up about US$3, above US$100. |
| 7 October 2026 | End of the National Day holiday. |
| 8–9 October 2026 | Reuters, citing traders: exports resume; October approvals of about 3.7 million tonnes of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, below September’s volume. |
Why China stopped exporting fuel
To rebuild domestic stocks. Kpler estimates that China’s commercial diesel and gasoil inventories are about 20 million barrels below pre-war levels, and gasoline stocks about 9 million barrels short of the level Beijing wants restored before exports return to normal. UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said the ban reflects concerns about domestic product availability.
What it means at the pump
The halt removes supply from a diesel market that is already tight; traders expect it to support diesel prices in Asia, where near-month gasoline and diesel spreads widened on 1 October. Pump prices follow with a delay: in Malaysia, Thailand and Bangladesh the government sets or caps them and they move only when it revises them, while in Hong Kong, Macau and Australia each company sets its own price. Hong Kong and Macau are excluded from the halt.
Pump prices nearby, live
Latest prices on the WhereFUEL map, in local currency per litre.
| Market | Petrol 95 | Diesel | As of | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | HK$ 34.72 | HK$ 37.53 | 10 November 2026 | median of companies |
| Macau | MOP 18.90 | MOP 21.90 | 3 November 2026 | median of companies |
| Malaysia | RM 1.99 | RM 2.10 | 4 November 2026 | official price |
| Thailand | THB 40.27 | THB 42.22 | 5 November 2026 | median of companies |
| Bangladesh | BDT 165 | BDT 135 | 20 September 2026 | official price |
| Western Australia | 222.9¢ | 270.9¢ | 9 November 2026 | median of stations |
| Northern Territory (Australia) | 261.4¢ | 299.9¢ | 10 November 2026 | median of stations |
Sources
- RTÉ — Oil prices rise $3 as China suspends fuel exports (01.10.2026)
- OilPrice.com — China halts October fuel exports as global diesel crunch deepens (01.10.2026)
- CNBC Africa — oil prices rise as Chinese refiners reportedly ban October fuel exports (01.10.2026)
- UkrAgroConsult — China suspends fuel exports, raising diesel price risks in Asia (02.10.2026)
- World Journal — 中國暫停油品出口 (02.10.2026)
- Yahoo Finance (Reuters) — China to resume October fuel exports after holiday pause
- Investing.com — China to resume fuel exports in October after holiday pause (Reuters)
- Asharq Al-Awsat — China to resume October fuel exports after holiday pause
- Malay Mail — China orders top refiners to halt diesel, petrol exports (05.03.2026)
Frequently asked questions
Has China banned fuel exports?
Not officially. On 1 October 2026 Reuters reported, citing people briefed on the matter, that Chinese refiners had suspended most October exports of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel, except to Hong Kong and Macau.
Has China resumed fuel exports?
Yes. On 8–9 October 2026 Reuters reported, citing traders, that refiners got October approvals of about 3.7 million tonnes of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel after the holiday pause — less than in September. Beijing approves exports month by month, so November volumes are decided separately.
Will diesel prices go up?
Brent crude rose by about US$3 on 1 October, back above US$100 a barrel, and traders expect the halt to support diesel prices in Asia. At the pump, regulated prices change only at official revisions.
Are Hong Kong and Macau affected?
No: shipments to Hong Kong and Macau are excluded from the suspension.
Has China done this before?
Yes. In March 2026, after the war with Iran began, China told its top refiners to halt diesel and gasoline exports, and eased the restrictions from July.
