China imported 20.8 million metric tons of crude oil in October, equivalent to 4.92 million barrels a day, preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Imports were 26.9% higher than the 16.4 million tons of crude shipped in during the corresponding month last year, and around 1.71% higher from 20.45 million tons from September, according to Dow Jones Newswires' calculation.

Refined oil product imports totaled 2.91 million tons, while exports were 1.59 million tons, the oil data showed.

China exported 110,000 tons of crude oil in October, according to the preliminary data.