OREANDA-NEWS  Starting next year, Russian coal exporters will face difficulties in supplying coal to China. Companies expect the return of import duties to the country in the amount of 3-6 percent, while buyers intend to shift costs to suppliers, Kommersant writes.

The interlocutors of the publication in the industry indicated that three percent will be collected from coking and anthracite coals, and six percent from thermal coal. Currently, zero duties are in effect for them, but on December 21, the State Council of China announced an adjustment in tariff rates for 1,010 goods. There is no coal among these goods, and the current reduction remains in force until December 31, therefore, starting from the new year, duties will return to the previous level.

The cancellation of tariffs will affect suppliers from Russia, Mongolia, Canada and the USA. The ASEAN countries and Australia will be in an advantageous position due to the free trade agreement with China, under which import duties are not applied.

The Ministry of Energy points out that the duty will not affect Russian suppliers, because Chinese companies will pay it. However, industry sources are confident that they will require exporters to reduce prices by the same amount. The fact is that Russia has few opportunities to redirect coal flows — India is reducing its dependence on imports, and China, thanks to accumulated reserves and the restoration of relations with Australia, is no longer so dependent on Russia.