Increased Chinese Restrictions on Coal Imports Causing Customs Delays, Report Says

China has increased customs checks on coal imports, leading to lengthy delays at ports, a June 11 Reuters report said. China has introduced import quotas and slowed shipments through quality restrictions on “downstream users, such as utilities,” the report said, resulting in lengthier clearance times. Coal imports now may take up to 90 days to clear customs, instead of the customary 30 days, it said. The restrictions may be a measure by China to support domestic coal mining, the report said.