Jun 21, 2012 (Dow Jones) BEIJING--China's refined copper imports totaled 301,990 metric tons in May, up 103% compared with a year earlier and up 11% compared with April, the General Administration of Customs said Thursday.

Imports in the first five months rose 81% on year to 1.6 million tons, Customs said.

China's copper concentrate imports in May rose 44% on year to 667,904 tons, it said. In January-May, copper concentrate imports rose 24% to 2.9 million tons.

China is the world's largest copper consumer.