Is China Still Buying Oil from Russia? What E-Commerce Sellers Need to Know in 2025

You’ve likely seen the headlines, the geopolitical tension, and the swirling rumors. As a cross-border e-commerce seller, you might wonder: is China still buying oil from Russia? The answer isn’t just a factoid for a trivia night—it directly impacts shipping costs, supply chain stability, and your profit margins. In a world where every dollar counts, understanding the energy dynamics between these two giants can help you forecast logistics expenses and negotiate better terms with suppliers. Let’s cut through the noise. Yes, China continues to buy Russian oil at record levels. But this single fact ripples through your business in ways you might not have considered.

The relationship between Beijing and Moscow on energy trade isn’t just a diplomatic headline; it’s a structural shift in global commodity flows. For anyone selling on Amazon, Shopify, or eBay, this means you need to recalibrate your assumptions about shipping costs from China, raw material prices, and even consumer demand in Western markets. This article will unpack exactly how “is china still buying oil from russia” affects your bottom line—and what you can do about it.

The Real Answer: China’s Oil Imports from Russia Are Surging

Let’s start with the hard data. According to Chinese customs data and international energy agencies, China imported a record average of roughly 2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Russia in late 2024 and into 2025. That represents about 20–22% of China’s total crude imports. So, is China still buying oil from Russia? Absolutely—and more than ever. This trade is driven by two factors: price discounts (often $5–$10 per barrel below the global benchmark) and the security of supply via the East Siberia–Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline and seaborne routes.

“The shift is structural, not temporary. Chinese refiners are locking in long-term contracts with Russian suppliers, creating a price advantage that trickles down to everything from plastic packaging to fuel surcharges for freight.” — IEA Monthly Oil Market Report, 2025

For e-commerce sellers, this creates a peculiar situation. On one hand, cheaper energy inputs from Russia keep Chinese manufacturing costs relatively low. On the other hand, these flows are a constant source of tension with Western regulators, meaning customs scrutiny and compliance risks could increase for goods transiting through certain routes.

Why “Is China Still Buying Oil from Russia” Matters for Your Shipping Costs

Your shipping cost isn’t just a math problem on a rate card—it’s a reflection of global fuel prices. When Chinese refiners process discounted Russian crude, it lowers the cost of diesel and bunker fuel domestically. This puts downward pressure on domestic trucking rates and, to a lesser extent, ocean freight from China to the West. But here’s the twist: Western sanctions have created a “dark fleet” of tankers that transport Russian oil, driving up insurance and risk premiums for other cargoes.

What does this mean for you? Consider these three practical impacts:

• Fuel surcharge volatility: Ocean carriers add BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) surcharges based on global fuel prices. While Russian oil discounts help keep headline oil prices lower, the fragmentation of shipping routes can cause regional spikes.
• Alternative route pricing: Some goods from China are now routed through Central Asia or the Arctic to avoid sanctions scrutiny. These longer routes increase transit times and per-unit costs, especially for high-volume sellers using FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon).
• Supplier negotiation leverage: If your Chinese supplier uses plastic resins (derived from oil byproducts), you can point to lower energy input costs as a reason to negotiate a 3–5% price reduction. Smart sellers are already doing this.

To monitor this, bookmark the Platts or Argus daily reports on ESPO crude spreads. If the discount widens, expect your supplier’s raw material costs to drop within 6–8 weeks.

How Chinese Manufacturers Are Passing (or Not Passing) Savings to Sellers

Here’s a crucial distinction: manufacturers don’t always pass on lower input costs. The question “is china still buying oil from russia” is relevant only if the savings reach you. In practice, many factories in Guangdong or Zhejiang use domestic refined products that benefit from discounted Russian crude. However, other factors—like labor costs, environmental compliance, and real estate—often absorb those savings.

What you can do: Ask specific questions about raw material indexes. During your quarterly supplier review, request their cost breakdown for key inputs like polyethylene, polyester, or acrylic. If you sell home goods (plastic containers, synthetic textiles), tie your pricing discussions to the “crude-to-feedstock” chain. For example, say: “I see polyethylene prices in Dalian fell 4% last month, directly linked to Russian crude imports. Can we adjust our unit price accordingly?” Many suppliers will concede if you show data.

This isn’t about being confrontational—it’s about becoming a more informed buyer. The best cross-border sellers treat their supply chain like a financial instrument, hedging against commodity shifts.

Compliance Red Flags: When Buying Russian Oil Gets You in Trouble

While China buys oil from Russia freely, the Western sanctions regime creates a compliance minefield for sellers who rely on certain logistics providers or financial channels. If you export to the US or EU, you must ensure that none of your goods contain materials derived from Russian oil that illegally circumvent price caps. This is especially tricky for petrochemical products.

• Financial due diligence: Check if your Chinese bank or payment processor (e.g., Alipay, HSBC China) is processing transactions related to sanctioned Russian entities. Some banks have blocked payments for “dual-use” goods.
• Logistics audit: Ask your freight forwarder: “Do any of your contracted vessels call at Russian ports or transship through Vladivostok?” Even indirect exposure can cause delays at customs in Los Angeles or Rotterdam.
• Product-specific rules: If you sell electronics (which use petroleum-based plastics) or automotive parts (which use lubricants), verify the country of origin for those specific inputs. Certificate of origin fraud is a growing concern.

One practical step is to maintain a “Compliance Checklist” for every order batch. Include a clause in your supplier agreement that requires them to certify that no materials originate from sanctioned Russian sources. While this sounds bureaucratic, it can save you thousands in legal fees if a customs audit occurs.

The Long-Term Strategy: How to Hedge Against Energy-Driven Price Shifts

Knowing that China’s appetite for Russian oil will persist for the foreseeable future (likely through 2025–2027) gives you a strategic advantage. You can plan your purchasing calendar around known price cycles. For instance, Russian crude discounts typically widen in winter when Western demand for heating oil rises, and narrow in summer when refineries undergo maintenance.

Here’s your actionable roadmap:

1. Negotiate flexible contracts: Instead of fixed annual pricing, ask suppliers for quarterly price adjustments tied to the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) crude futures or the Platts ESPO spread.
2. Diversify sourcing for energy-sensitive goods: For high-volume plastic or synthetic items, consider secondary suppliers in Vietnam or India, which also buy discounted Russian oil but have different logistics profiles.
3. Build a “commodity buffer”: If you have cash reserves, buy raw materials like resin or polyester yarn when the Russian oil discount hits 10% or more. Store them in a bonded warehouse. This is how large sellers lock in margin advantages.
4. Monitor exchange rates: The Chinese yuan vs. Russian ruble relationship affects pricing. When the ruble weakens, Russian oil becomes even cheaper for China, potentially accelerating savings for manufacturers.

“The smartest e-commerce operators don’t just sell products—they manage a portfolio of risks. Energy is now the single largest variable cost after advertising. Understanding ‘is china still buying oil from russia’ is the first step to mastering that variable.” — Supply Chain Strategist, Alibaba Group

Case Study: How One Seller Saved 12% on Shipping Using Oil Data

Let’s make this concrete. In early 2024, a seller of kitchen containers in Shenzhen—let’s call her Lisa—noticed that her shipping costs from Yantian to Long Beach had risen 15% year-over-year. Instead of simply raising prices, she dug into the energy data. She discovered that the Russian oil discount meant Chinese diesel was cheaper, but her specific carrier was not reflecting that in fuel surcharges.

Lisa switched to a regional carrier that sourced fuel from independent Chinese refineries using Russian crude. She also began shipping 70% of her inventory via bulk rail to Urumqi and