North Korea
KP · PRK
Stark sanktioniertes Land / minimaler Welthandel
Capital: Pyongyang
Overview
North Korea (ISO code: KP) lies in East Asia on the Korean Peninsula, bordering China, Russia and South Korea. It is a socialist one-party state with a centrally planned economy dominated by heavy industry, mining and agriculture. The country is heavily dependent on imports of food, energy and industrial raw materials. Its logistics infrastructure is limited, but seaports such as Nampo and Rason and an extensive rail network handle domestic and cross-border traffic. North Korea's role in international trade is severely constrained by comprehensive UN, EU and US sanctions. The local currency is the North Korean won (KPW), which circulates only domestically.
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Zentrale Zollverwaltung der DVRK (General Bureau of Customs)
Import system
Staatliches Aussenhandelsmonopol; Zollabwicklung nach dem Zollgesetz der DVRK über die Zentrale Zollverwaltung. Einfuhrzoll je nach Warengruppe rund 5 bis 30 Prozent, keine Mehrwertsteuer.
Export system
Ausfuhr staatlich monopolisiert; Hauptexporte wie Kohle, Eisen, Textilien und Meeresfrüchte sind durch UN-Sanktionen verboten. Legaler Aussenhandel fast vollständig auf China und Russland beschränkt.
Import VAT
- Keine Mehrwertsteuer westlicher Prägung
- der Aussenhandel ist staatlich monopolisiert, Abgaben laufen über Zoll und Staatsbetriebe.
Origin proofs / FTA
Keine Freihandelsabkommen und keine präferenziellen Ursprungsnachweise; das Land steht unter umfassendem UN-Sanktionsregime.
Restricted & prohibited goods
UN-Embargo für Waffen, Luxusgüter und Dual-Use-Güter sowie zahlreiche Maschinen, Metalle und Industriegüter; Ein- und Ausfuhr breiter Warengruppen verboten oder genehmigungspflichtig.
Export controls & sanctions
Umfassende UN-Sanktionen (Res. 1718/1874/2270/2321/2371/2375/2397): Export von Kohle, Eisen, Textilien und Meeresfrüchten verboten, Erdöl-Importe gedeckelt. EU und USA mit eigenem Embargo.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Asia) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Asia. Product requirements, certificates, and clearance processes can vary significantly by destination.
Documents (typical)
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Cargo airports
- Pjöngjang-Sunan (FNJ)
Seaports / access ports
- Nampo
- Rason (Rajin)
- Chongjin
- Wonsan
- Hungnam
- Haeju
Road corridors & border crossings
- Pjöngjang–Sinuiju
- Pjöngjang–Wonsan
- Rason-Grenzkorridor
Rail corridors
- Sinuiju–Dandong (China)
- Tumangang–Khasan (Russland, Breitspur nach Rajin)
- Pjöngjang–Sinuiju
Top trade lanes
- DVRK–China
- DVRK–Russland
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Sehr hohes Sanktions- und Compliance-Risiko: Geschäfte mit der DVRK sind für EU- und US-Akteure weitgehend verboten. Verstösse drohen mit Straf- und Reputationsfolgen, die Datenlage ist intransparent.
Seasonal & weather risks
Kontinentales Klima mit kalten, eisigen Wintern (Nordhäfen zeitweise vereist, Rason/Rajin eisfrei) und feuchtwarmen Sommern; Taifun- und Hochwassergefahr im Spätsommer.
Current logistics notes
Legaler Welthandel minimal und fast vollständig auf China (rund 80 Prozent über Dandong/Sinuiju) und Russland ausgerichtet. UN-Expertengremium 2024 aufgelöst, Überwachung seit 2025 durch MSMT.
As of: 2026-06-26
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
No news for this country yet.
View all news →Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- main.un.org/securitycouncil
- ofac.treasury.gov
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Can I legally export goods to or import from North Korea?
For actors from the EU, Switzerland and the USA, trade with the DPRK is largely prohibited by comprehensive UN and national sanctions. Strict licensing and prohibition rules apply, and careful sanctions screening is mandatory.
Which sanctions apply to North Korea?
A comprehensive UN sanctions regime applies (including Resolutions 1718, 1874, 2270, 2321, 2371, 2375 and 2397) with export bans on coal, iron, textiles and seafood and a cap on petroleum imports. The EU and USA maintain additional embargoes of their own.
Which ports handle cargo traffic?
The most important seaports are Nampo on the west coast near Pyongyang and the ice-free port of Rason/Rajin in the northeast, developed with Chinese and Russian involvement. Further ports include Chongjin, Hungnam, Wonsan and Haeju.
How does cross-border land transport work?
Most legal trade runs over the Sinuiju-Dandong rail and road border with China (around 80 percent). In the northeast, the broad-gauge line Tumangang-Khasan connects North Korea to the Russian rail network and to the port of Rajin.
Is there a VAT or regular customs tariff?
North Korea has no Western-style VAT. Foreign trade is a state monopoly; under the DPRK Customs Law import duties of roughly 5 to 30 percent apply depending on the goods category, in practice heavily restricted by sanctions.
Who monitors sanctions compliance since 2024?
The UN Panel of Experts was dissolved in April 2024 following a Russian veto. Since 2025, the voluntary Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) of eleven states has taken over monitoring of sanctions implementation.
Which trade partners are important for North Korea?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for North Korea?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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