Investing.com -- China's oil imports remain well below historical levels in September despite market speculation about increased purchasing, according to data from commodity intelligence firm Vortexa. The country is currently importing just under 7 million barrels per day by sea, lower than the July and August average.

Before the Iran war began on Feb. 28, China was purchasing an average of 10.5 million barrels of crude daily by tanker. The country began reducing purchases in April, with seaborne oil imports falling to a 10-year low of 5.8 million barrels per day by June.

China has purchased 600 million fewer barrels of seaborne oil this year compared to 2025 import levels. If Beijing continues buying at September's rate through the fourth quarter, the cumulative deficit would approach 1 billion barrels by year end.

The composition of China's oil imports has shifted during the conflict. The country has stopped purchasing Iranian crude, which it previously bought at discounted prices on the black market despite US sanctions. China is now buying more oil on the open market, which is affecting major pricing hubs.

The shift in purchasing location has created market impact, as buying crude in markets such as the North Sea, home to the Brent benchmark, affects prices more than equivalent purchases in the black market.

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled in Washington later this week.