This article focuses on the issue of the volatility of coal prices in the international markets. It analyses the prices of imported coal in the Polish market, the levels of which can be treated as import parity. The main factors that affect the level of prices in the domestic market and the terms of contracting are the level of imports and the lack of legal and logistical barriers. For the European coal market, the most important aspect is the CIF ARA index, which is closely correlated with the prices observed in other international markets. Only now can a convergence with the international market be observed, and in the future an even stronger relationship should be expected as a result of increases in coal imports. In addition, energy producers are selling increasingly more electricity in the power exchange in the spot market, and will therefore be willing to contract coal purchases in the same way. The execution of such contracts, however, requires extensive knowledge about the functioning of these markets (the quantities stated in contracts, delivery date, brokers, shipping costs, insurance, etc.).