What countries are the largest sources of U.S. coal imports?

In 2018, the United States imported about 5.95 million short tons of coal from about 15 countries.¹ About 88% of total U.S. imported coal in 2018 was steam coal, and about 12% was metallurgical coal. The top five source countries of total U.S. coal imports, the amounts imported (in million short tons), and their shares of total U.S. coal imports in 2018 were

• Colombia—4.06—68%
• Indonesia—0.92—15%
• Canada—0.77—13%
• Russia—0.08—1%
• South Africa—0.05—1%
Total for the top five—5.88—99%

¹ Preliminary data.

Learn more:
U.S. coal import data, annual and quarterly, by types of coal and destination countries
Quarterly Coal Report Table 18. U.S. Coal Exports
Energy Explained: Coal Imports and Exports

Last updated: April 12, 2019

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