Non-state crude import quota utilization hit 78.3%, up another 5.1 pts MoM. The remaining quota is now scarce—if you hold barrels and have downstream, move now; it only gets tighter. The good news: Shanghai FTZ frontline clearance is down to 14.2 hours, real efficiency gains. Fuel oil at ¥3,900/t (+0.93%) is the direct read on accelerated procurement ahead of quota expiry. The bad news is the FX line: USD/CNY at 6.7219, +0.18%, lifting hedging cost. That forces one discipline—offshore re-export documentation must withstand authenticity scrutiny, or you get stuck at compliance. Our advice: bring settlement forward, don’t delay hedging.