China Boosts Crude Oil Imports from Iran in March 2025

TEHRAN (Iran News) Data from the tanker-tracking firm Vortexa revealed that China’s crude imports from Iran surpassed a historic threshold of 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in March. At the same time, storage levels at independent refineries in Shandong province saw a sharp rise.

Analytics company Kpler reported that China’s Iranian crude imports climbed by 20% from February to reach 1.71 million bpd in March — the highest level in the past five months. In February, the figure stood at 1.43 million bpd.

Two oil traders monitoring the flow of Iranian shipments to China estimated March’s imports at between 1.67 million and 1.8 million bpd.

Despite global pressure, China — which opposes unilateral sanctions — now accounts for approximately 90% of Iran’s crude exports, analysts said.

According to Kpler’s data, Iranian oil made up 16% of China’s seaborne crude imports in March.

Emma Li, a senior analyst at Vortexa, and a refinery source based in China attributed the surge in Iranian purchases to growing fears of supply disruptions, prompting refiners and traders to stock up quickly.

Vortexa reported that Shandong’s onshore crude storage increased by 22 million barrels in March compared to February, aligning with the spike in Iranian imports.

Li noted that this marked a monthly record in storage growth, particularly concentrated in port facilities across Shandong.

A trader working for an independent Chinese refinery suggested that the influx of Iranian crude last month was so substantial that some shipments were handed over by middlemen to storage tanks while awaiting buyers.

Looking ahead, Li expects China’s imports from Iran to drop in April, citing stagnant demand. She predicts average annual imports to stabilize between 1.3 and 1.4 million bpd — consistent with last year’s figures.