There are tens of trucks going daily from Manweingyi of Kachin State and northern Shan State to China with intent to smuggle charcoal out of Myanmar, said local residents and MP Sai Aye Min. 

There were only a few charcoal businesses targeting the China market, but the number has increased now because Chinese authorities take no action against charcoal import although a ban was imposed on farm products and timber smuggling in 2018. 

"As China stopped buying farm products in 2018, local farmers made losses and charcoal smuggling has increased. It is common in Kachin State and Shan State. Since the road connecting Kachin State and northern Shan State has been blocked for over eight years, locals have no access to any exit. If the government concerned allows official export of local crop products to China, some issues will be solved automatically. Locals themselves should not do such things (such as charcoal smuggling)," said MP Sai Aye Min. 

Dar Shi La Hsai, Kachin State minister for natural resources and environmental conservation, said he had learned about charcoal smuggled by truck only now. There is only the firewood law that is concerned with charcoal trade, he added. He then called for cooperation to solve the problem if the issue is not in conformity with the law. 

"As far as I know, army troops are deployed at the bridges in border areas. We will launch a detailed investigation into what is happening," the minister said. 

On March 23, 2015, Kachin State MP Tun Shein asked in parliament whether the government officially allowed the export of charcoal as nearly 100 tons of charcoal were transported through Kachin State border gate. 

Charcoal smuggling into China has reportedly existed for decades and they go there via Bhamo-Mandalay road or Bhamo-Mandalay water route. 

China usually gives good prices for Myanmar's charcoal after the rainy season. China uses charcoal in producing fireworks and enriching soils.