Overall, the dollar cost of crude oil imports for all importing countries grew by 25.5% since 2015 when crude oil purchases were valued at $841.6 billion. Year over year, imported crude oil fell by -12.1% from $1.201 trillion for 2018.
Comparing metrics by continent, Asian countries bought the highest dollar worth of imported crude oil during 2019 with purchases costing $572.5 billion or 54.2% of the global total. In second place were European nations at 28.2% while 13.9% of worldwide crude oil imports were delivered to North America. Smaller percentages went to Latin America (1.5%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, Africa (1.1%) then Oceania (also 1.1%) led by Australia and New Zealand.
For research purposes, the 4-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix for crude oil is 2709.
Crude Oil Imports by Country
Top 15
Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of crude oil during 2019.
- China: US$238.7 billion (22.6% of overall imported crude oil)
- United States: $132.4 billion (12.5%)
- India: $102.3 billion (9.7%)
- Japan: $73.1 billion (6.9%)
- South Korea: $70.2 billion (6.6%)
- Netherlands: $46.4 billion (4.4%)
- Germany: $40.7 billion (3.9%)
- Spain: $30.5 billion (2.9%)
- Italy: $29.6 billion (2.8%)
- United Kingdom: $24.5 billion (2.3%)
- France: $24.4 billion (2.3%)
- Singapore: $24.2 billion (2.3%)
- Thailand: $22.3 billion (2.1%)
- Taiwan: $21.3 billion (2%)
- Belgium: $18.8 billion (1.8%)
Based on total cost, the listed 15 countries purchased 85.2% of all crude oil imported in 2019.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing markets for crude oil since 2015 were: China (up 77.7%), India (up 41.4%), United Kingdom (up 33.2%) and Singapore (up 33.1%).
Only the United States experienced a reduction in what was paid for imported oil via a -0.2% drop over the 5-year period.
China
Crude Oil Imports into China
Below are the top 15 suppliers from which China imported the highest dollar value worth of crude oil during 2019. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplier since 2015.
- Saudi Arabia: US$40.1 billion (up 92.9% from 2015)
- Russia: $36.5 billion (up 111.6%)
- Iraq: $23.7 billion (up 87.3%)
- Angola: $22.7 billion (up 42.6%)
- Brazil: $18.5 billion (up 249%)
- Oman: $16.4 billion (up 17.4%)
- Kuwait: $10.8 billion (up 88.9%)
- United Arab Emirates: $7.3 billion (up 42.6%)
- Iran: $7.1 billion (down -34.1%)
- United Kingdom: $6.3 billion (up 649.4%)
- Congo: $5.55 billion (up 139.8%)
- Malaysia: $5.5 billion (up 5122.8%)
- Colombia: $5.4 billion (up 78.1%)
- Libya: $4.8 billion (up 403%)
- Venezuela: $4.4 billion (down -13.1%)
The listed 15 countries shipped 90.1% of all Chinese crude oil imported in 2019.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of crude oil to China since 2015 were: Malaysia (up 5,123%), United Kingdom (up 649.4%), Libya (up 403%) and Brazil (up 249%).
Two countries experienced declines in the value of their crude oil supplied to Chinese importers, namely Iran (down -34.1%) and Venezuela (down -13.1%).
Overall, the value of Chinese crude oil imports appreciated by an average 77.7% from all supplying countries since 2014 when crude oil purchases were valued at $134.3 billion.
USA
Crude Oil Imports into the United States
Below are the top 15 suppliers from which the US imported the highest dollar value worth of crude oil during 2019. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country since 2015.
- Canada: US$66.3 billion (up 33% from 2015)
- Mexico: $12.3 billion (down -4.2%)
- Saudi Arabia: $11.5 billion (down -46.7%)
- Iraq: $7 billion (up 54.3%)
- Colombia: $6.5 billion (down -12.8%)
- Nigeria: $4.4 billion (up 223.2%)
- Ecuador: $4.3 billion (down -1.7%)
- Brazil: $3.7 billion (down -5.2%)
- Russia: $3.5 billion (up 343.5%)
- United Kingdom: $1.54 billion (up 514.7%)
- Libya: $1.45 billion (up 2497.2%)
- Venezuela: $1.4 billion (down -89.7%)
- Norway: $1.3 billion (up 660.7%)
- Kuwait: $1.1 billion (down -75.9%)
- Trinidad/Tobago: $921 million (up 541.8%)
The listed 15 countries shipped 96.2% of all American crude oil imported in 2019.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of crude oil to the United States since 2015 were: Libya (up 2,497%), Norway (up 660.7%), Trinidad/Tobago (up 541.8%) and United Kingdom (up 514.7%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their crude oil supplied to American importers included: Venezuela (down -89.7%), Kuwait (down -75.9%), Saudi Arabia (down -46.7%) and Colombia (down -12.8%).
Overall, the value of American crude oil imports depreciated by an average -0.2% from all supplying countries since 2015 when crude oil purchases were valued at $132.6 billion.
India
Crude Oil Imports into India
Below are the top 15 suppliers from which India imported the highest dollar value worth of crude oil during 2019. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country since 2015.
- Iraq: US$21 billion (up 86.9% from 2015)
- Saudi Arabia: $20.5 billion (up 38.3%)
- United Arab Emirates: $9.9 billion (up 59.1%)
- Nigeria: $9.5 billion (up 2.4%)
- Venezuela: $5.6 billion (down -16.1%)
- Kuwait: $5.1 billion (up 11.4%)
- United States: $4.5 billion (up 28,840%)
- Mexico: $4.3 billion (up 139%)
- Iran: $3.5 billion (down -15.8%)
- Angola: $2.9 billion (down -6%)
- Malaysia: $1.8 billion (up 24.3%)
- Algeria: $1.51 billion (up 599.7%)
- Russia: $1.47 billion (up 1,967%)
- Kazakhstan: $1.3 billion (up 462.1%)
- Qatar: $1.1 billion (down -25.6%)
The listed 15 countries shipped 91.9% of all Indian crude oil imported in 2019.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of crude oil to India since 2015 were: United States (up 28,840%), Russia (up 1,967%), Algeria (up 599.7%) and Kazakhstan (up 462.1%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their crude oil supplied to Indian importers were: Qatar (down -25.6%), Venezuela (down -16.1%), Iran (down -15.8%) and Angola (down -6%).
Overall, the value of Indian crude oil imports appreciated by an average 41.4% from all supplying countries since 2015 when crude oil purchases were valued at $72.4 billion.
Japan
Crude Oil Imports into Japan
Below are the top 15 suppliers from which Japan imported the highest dollar value worth of crude oil during 2019. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country since 2015.
- Saudi Arabia: US$26.1 billion (up 16.4% from 2015)
- United Arab Emirates: $21.9 billion (up 24.9%)
- Qatar: $6.3 billion (up 14.8%)
- Kuwait: $6.1 billion (up 22.4%)
- Russia: $4 billion (down -33.3%)
- United States: $1.6 billion (up 3,273%)
- Oman: $1.3 billion (up 193.4%)
- Iran: $1.1 billion (down -65.1%)
- Iraq: $959.6 million (down -0.6%)
- Ecuador: $882.5 million (up 66.4%)
- Bahrain: $728.4 million (no 2015 data)
- Kazakhstan: $528.5 million (up 98.6%)
- Malaysia: $279.1 million (down -8.5%)
- Vietnam: $242.7 million (down -62.1%)
- Algeria: $223 million (no 2015 data)
The listed 15 countries shipped 98.9% of all Japanese crude oil imported in 2019.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of crude oil to Japan since 2015 were: United States (up 3,273%), Oman (up 193.4%), Kazakhstan (up 98.6%) and Ecuador (up 66.4%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their crude oil supplied to Japanese importers included: Iran (down -65.1%), Vietnam (down -62.1%), Russia (down -33.3%) and Malaysia (down -8.5%).
Overall, the value of Japanese crude oil imports appreciated by an average 8.5% from all supplying countries since 2015 when crude oil purchases were valued at $67.4 billion.
Searchable List of crude oil Importing Countries in 2019
You can change the presentation order by clicking the triangle icon at the top of any of the columns below.
| Rank | Importer | Crude Oil Imports (US$) | %World Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | China | $238,707,061,000 | 22.6% |
| 2. | United States | $132,370,663,000 | 12.5% |
| 3. | India | $102,306,491,000 | 9.7% |
| 4. | Japan | $73,085,389,000 | 6.9% |
| 5. | South Korea | $70,193,489,000 | 6.6% |
| 6. | Netherlands | $46,414,486,000 | 4.4% |
| 7. | Germany | $40,737,628,000 | 3.9% |
| 8. | Spain | $30,499,660,000 | 2.9% |
| 9. | Italy | $29,615,998,000 | 2.8% |
| 10. | United Kingdom | $24,542,383,000 | 2.3% |
| 11. | France | $24,446,306,000 | 2.3% |
| 12. | Singapore | $24,224,539,000 | 2.3% |
| 13. | Thailand | $22,284,239,000 | 2.1% |
| 14. | Taiwan | $21,326,199,000 | 2% |
| 15. | Belgium | $18,784,563,000 | 1.8% |
| 16. | Canada | $14,275,027,000 | 1.4% |
| 17. | Poland | $11,966,872,000 | 1.1% |
| 18. | Greece | $10,479,290,000 | 1% |
| 19. | South Africa | $8,840,167,000 | 0.8% |
| 20. | Australia | $8,615,668,000 | 0.8% |
| 21. | Sweden | $8,006,171,000 | 0.8% |
| 22. | Belarus | $6,551,114,000 | 0.6% |
| 23. | Malaysia | $6,461,097,000 | 0.6% |
| 24. | Israel | $5,978,970,000 | 0.6% |
| 25. | Finland | $5,805,775,000 | 0.5% |
| 26. | Portugal | $5,437,064,000 | 0.5% |
| 27. | Brazil | $4,651,642,000 | 0.4% |
| 28. | Lithuania | $4,469,287,000 | 0.4% |
| 29. | Austria | $4,299,658,000 | 0.4% |
| 30. | Romania | $4,161,599,000 | 0.4% |
| 31. | Chile | $4,096,985,000 | 0.4% |
| 32. | Czech Republic | $3,740,778,000 | 0.4% |
| 33. | Philippines | $3,468,523,000 | 0.3% |
| 34. | Bulgaria | $3,164,676,000 | 0.3% |
| 35. | Hungary | $2,912,083,000 | 0.3% |
| 36. | New Zealand | $2,807,741,000 | 0.3% |
| 37. | Peru | $2,476,082,000 | 0.2% |
| 38. | Denmark | $2,392,267,000 | 0.2% |
| 39. | Slovakia | $2,350,213,000 | 0.2% |
| 40. | Panama | $2,313,060,000 | 0.2% |
| 41. | Indonesia | $2,172,831,000 | 0.2% |
| 42. | Norway | $1,545,006,000 | 0.1% |
| 43. | Switzerland | $1,308,835,000 | 0.1% |
| 44. | United Arab Emirates | $1,271,626,000 | 0.1% |
| 45. | Ireland | $1,263,123,000 | 0.1% |
| 46. | Ivory Coast | $1,132,098,000 | 0.1% |
| 47. | Serbia | $1,012,865,000 | 0.1% |
| 48. | Croatia | $1,011,490,000 | 0.1% |
| 49. | Uruguay | $990,612,000 | 0.1% |
| 50. | Zambia | $504,747,000 | 0.05% |
| 51. | Togo | $456,399,000 | 0.04% |
| 52. | Vietnam | $452,722,000 | 0.04% |
| 53. | Colombia | $440,624,000 | 0.04% |
| 54. | Senegal | $403,291,000 | 0.04% |
| 55. | Dominican Republic | $388,867,000 | 0.04% |
| 56. | Cameroon | $347,344,000 | 0.03% |
| 57. | Ukraine | $280,125,000 | 0.03% |
| 58. | Gibraltar | $231,704,000 | 0.02% |
| 59. | Ghana | $230,952,000 | 0.02% |
| 60. | Nicaragua | $229,032,000 | 0.02% |
| 61. | Azerbaijan | $191,347,000 | 0.02% |
| 62. | Jamaica | $161,225,000 | 0.02% |
| 63. | Papua New Guinea | $125,638,000 | 0.01% |
| 64. | Brunei Darussalam | $117,009,000 | 0.01% |
| 65. | Myanmar | $114,472,000 | 0.01% |
| 66. | Dominica | $62,547,000 | 0.01% |
| 67. | Uzbekistan | $61,394,000 | 0.01% |
| 68. | Saint Lucia | $53,592,000 | 0.01% |
| 69. | Slovenia | $44,105,000 | 0.004% |
| 70. | Curaçao | $38,505,000 | 0.004% |
| 71. | Jordan | $37,293,000 | 0.004% |
| 72. | Bahamas | $32,876,000 | 0.003% |
| 73. | Iran | $28,800,000 | 0.003% |
| 74. | Mexico | $20,592,000 | 0.002% |
| 75. | Kazakhstan | $11,138,000 | 0.001% |
| 76. | Tajikistan | $7,012,000 | 0.001% |
| 77. | Georgia | $5,663,000 | 0.001% |
| 78. | Trinidad/Tobago | $5,431,000 | 0.001% |
| 79. | Pitcairn | $2,254,000 | 0.0002% |
| 80. | Latvia | $1,554,000 | 0.0001% |
| 81. | Ecuador | $1,018,000 | 0.0001% |
| 82. | Luxembourg | $693,000 | 0.0001% |
| 83. | Namibia | $616,000 | 0.0001% |
| 84. | Kyrgyzstan | $502,000 | 0.00005% |
| 85. | Bosnia/Herzegovina | $342,000 | 0.00003% |
| 86. | Kenya | $288,000 | 0.00003% |
| 87. | Guatemala | $236,000 | 0.00002% |
| 88. | Estonia | $229,000 | 0.00002% |
| 89. | Mozambique | $213,000 | 0.00002% |
| 90. | Mali | $149,000 | 0.00001% |
| 91. | New Caledonia | $120,000 | 0.00001% |
| 92. | Lesotho | $111,000 | 0.00001% |
| 93. | Russia | $81,000 | 0.00001% |
| 94. | Fiji | $67,000 | 0.00001% |
| 95. | Cuba | $54,000 | 0.00001% |
| 96. | Paraguay | $37,000 | 0.000004% |
| 97. | Eswatini | $34,000 | 0.000003% |
| 98. | Libya | $24,000 | 0.000002% |
| 99. | Zimbabwe | $12,000 | 0.000001% |
| 100. | El Salvador | $12,000 | 0.000001% |
| 101. | Costa Rica | $12,000 | 0.000001% |
| 102. | Andorra | $11,000 | 0.000001% |
| 103. | Benin | $11,000 | 0.000001% |
| 104. | Angola | $8,000 | 0.000001% |
| 105. | Iceland | $6,000 | 0.000001% |
| 106. | Botswana | $4,000 | 0.0000004% |
| 107. | Marshall Islands | $3,000 | 0.0000003% |
| 108. | Gabon | $3,000 | 0.0000003% |
| 109. | Malawi | $2,000 | 0.0000002% |
| 110. | Cook Islands | $2,000 | 0.0000002% |
| 111. | Suriname | $2,000 | 0.0000002% |
| 112. | Tanzania | $1,000 | 0.0000001% |
| 113. | Democratic Rep. Congo | $1,000 | 0.0000001% |
| 114. | Antigua/Barbuda | $1,000 | 0.0000001% |
| 115. | Madagascar | $1,000 | 0.0000001% |
| 116. | Morocco | $1,000 | 0.0000001% |
| 117. | Qatar | $1,000 | 0.0000001% |
See also Crude Oil Exports by Country, China’s Top Trading Partners and Largest Oil and Gas Export Companies
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on April 23, 2020
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on April 23, 2020
Investopedia, Net Importer Definition. Accessed on April 23, 2020
Wikipedia, Big Oil. Accessed on April 23, 2020
