To clarify the effect of impact loads on the micro-nanopore structure of anthracite coal, this paper acquired coal samples from the coal mining face of No.2 Zhaogu coal mine of the Jiaozuo Mining Field, Henan Province. After the samples were prepared, the shock wave and stress wave are simulated using the shock loading system of split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Then, the effect of impact load on the micro-nanopore structure of anthracite coal was discussed by carrying out impact tests, combined with the test results of mercury injection and low-temperature liquid nitrogen experiments on the coal samples before and after the impact. And the following research results were obtained. First, after impact loading, the total pore volume, specific surface area, porosity and mercury extrusion efficiency of anthracite coal increase in a fluctuating manner. On the whole, the number of pores is increased and the connectivity is improved significantly. Second, the impact loads in different directions have different transformation effects on the coal pores. The impact loads vertical to the bedding mainly increase the number of micropores and macropores, those parallel to the bedding mainly increase the number of micropores and transition pores, and those oblique to the bedding mainly increase the number of mesopores and macropores. Third, the optimal impact load is different in different directions. The optimal impact load which is vertical, parallel and oblique to the bedding is 42.10 MPa, 20.45 MPa and 56.90 MPa, respectively. In conclusion, the transformation effects of the impact loads on the pores in anthracite coal are all around, but due to their different directions from the bedding, their actual pore transformation ranges in different directions are different.