China has notified to ban imports of seven categories of Australian products including coal, effective November 6, several foreign media reported on November 3.
These banned products include coal, barley, copper and copper concentrate, sugar, wood, lobster and red wine, reported Bloomberg, citing a source with acknowledgement of the matter.
It was said some Chinese steel makers have been verbally told by China's Ministry of Commerce lately to stop importing Australian coal from November 6.
Australian coal cargoes arriving in China before November 6 would be considered for customs clearance, while cargoes arriving after the deadline would be waiting at the port, some sources said.
The policy came probably alongside the soured China-Australia relation and surges of Australian coal imports since this year.
It followed verbal notice from customs authorities early October to some state-run steel and power producers on stopping importing Australian coal from October 1.
The new curb, if true, adds more uncertainties to China's seaborne coal market. Traders have reported increased booking of December cargoes in anticipation of January's new import quotas.
Kpler's cargo-tracking data showed Australian coal arrivals to Chinese ports were only 2.06 million tonnes in October, slumping 72.5% year on year and down 59.1% from a month ago.
Source:sxcoal
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