The ban, which the Ministry of Commerce said would remain through the end of this year, follows the North Korean launch in defiance of international sanctions.
The Chinese freeze includes all incoming North Korean coal shipments that importers had applied for but not yet received approval, the Chinese ministry said.
Beijing in December halted most coal imports from North Korea in support of United Nations sanctions to deter Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions, but left open imports for "humanitarian exemptions" - a loophole meant to help sustain North Korea's economy.