The UK government has banned coal imports from Russia, effective 10 August. A ban on Russian oil imports will come into effect from 31 December, Kallanish notes.
UK coking coal – HS code 27011210 – imports in 2021 were 1.998 million tonnes, of which 557,418t came from Russia. The US was top supplier with 796,151t, according to UK Trade Info data.
In January-April 2022, overall coking coal imports were 808,705t, with only 80,642t coming from Russia – all in January. The US was again the top supplier with 434,343t, but Sweden came second with 157,638t – Sweden did not figure at all in 2021 imports.
The ban will have little effect on the market as Tata Steel anyway cut business ties with Russia in April, while British Steel said in March it is not reliant on coking coal supply from Russia.
Adam Smith Poland
