A process is provided for the chlorination of methane using hydrogen chloride as a source of chlorine. The process includes reaction steps operated in tandem in separate zones first comprising the reaction of perchloroethylene with hydrogen chloride and oxygen in the presence of an oxychlorination catalyst to give hexachloroethane and water, and second comprising the vapor phase reaction of hexachloroethane with methane feedstock to produce chlorinated methane, perchloroethylene and hydrogen chloride.