China approves 3.7 million metric tons of fuel export quotas for October

Chinese authorities approved approximately 3.7 million metric tons of refined fuel export quotas for October 2026, according to Reuters. The official decision allows domestic refiners to resume overseas shipments following a planned, temporary pause during China's Golden Week national holiday.

Four oil trading executives confirmed the resumption of fuel export shipments on Friday, October 9, 2026. The newly issued monthly quota covers combined shipments of three primary refined petroleum products: diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel.

China regulates export shipments from domestic refining companies through a monthly quota review system. The Ministry of Commerce of China and government regulators use these monthly allocations to manage domestic fuel supplies while controlling the volume of fuel leaving the country.

Changes in China's fuel export rules

The release of the October 2026 quotas marks the latest shift in Beijing's management of refined fuel exports over the course of the year. Chinese officials first restricted fuel exports in March 2026 to safeguard domestic energy supplies following crude oil disruptions in the Middle East.

Those restrictions remained in place until mid-summer. Between July 2026 and September 2026, Chinese authorities temporarily relaxed export limits, allowing domestic refiners to increase their overseas shipments of diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel.

That period of higher export volumes was followed by a planned temporary halt during the Golden Week national holiday in early October. The approval of the 3.7 million metric ton quota marks the official end of that holiday pause.

Effects on Asian regional markets

The resumption of Chinese shipments is expected to provide relief to regional fuel markets across Asia. Trading executives expect the return of Chinese diesel and jet fuel exports to ease supply tightness that had developed across Asian markets during the holiday period.

Beijing's monthly quota system is designed to balance international market conditions with domestic requirements. By reviewing refiner allocations each month, Chinese authorities adjust export volumes to maintain stable energy supplies at home while allowing refiners to export surplus fuel.

The approval of 3.7 million metric tons for October 2026 enables Chinese refiners to resume shipping cargoes to overseas buyers through the end of the month.

According to reports from Reuters, Chinese authorities will continue to evaluate market conditions on a monthly basis to determine future export quota volumes for domestic refiners.