China issued its second batch of refined fuel export quotas for 2026 on June 9, totaling 18 million metric tons. The allocation covers gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, and goes primarily to state-owned refining giants Sinopec and CNPC (PetroChina).
The 18 million metric ton figure is essentially flat compared to the second batch issued the previous year. The first batch for 2026, released back in December 2025, came in slightly higher at 19 million metric tons. Combined, that’s 37 million metric tons in total quota allocation for the year so far.
Export restrictions have been in place since March 2026, implemented to prioritize domestic supply as internal demand fluctuates. In practice, that means China’s actual monthly refined fuel exports have been running at roughly 500,000 to 550,000 metric tons.
At that pace, annualized exports would land somewhere between 6 and 6.6 million metric tons. That’s a fraction of the combined 37 million metric tons in quotas issued.
Trade sources have indicated there won’t be an immediate surge in export volumes despite the fresh allocation.
