Key Indicators
Overview

North Korea Import Trade Overview
Introduction:
North Korea's import market is crucial for sustaining key sectors that are vital for meeting the nation's demands and industrial needs. Despite the isolated economic policies, there are niches where global exporters might find opportunities to enter the North Korean market.
Economic Overview:
North Korea’s economy is highly centralized and state-controlled, predominantly relying on manufacturing, military products, and agriculture. The country is ranked low globally in terms of GDP, and imports are essential for supplementing domestic shortages, particularly in consumer goods and technology. Efforts toward economic self-reliance continue, but there remains a dependency on imports for critical sectors.
Political and Regulatory Environment:
The political environment in North Korea is tightly controlled with significant implications for its import policies and economic stability. The country operates under stringent import regulations and trade is heavily influenced by international sanctions and its diplomatic stance. Recent years have not seen significant changes in trade policies, reflecting a stable yet restrictive market environment.
Opportunities and Challenges for Exporters:
Opportunities might exist in sectors where domestic production is insufficient, such as agricultural machinery, medical supplies, and energy solutions. However, challenges include navigating sanctions, limited market data, and complex regulatory frameworks that govern trade and foreign investment.
Top 10 Import Products:
- Petroleum products (HS code: 2710) - Crucial for transportation and industry.
- Coal (HS code: 2701) - Important for energy and heating.
- Wheat (HS code: 1001) - Essential for food security.
- Electrical machinery (HS code: 8501) - Needed for industrial modernization.
- Vehicle parts (HS code: 8708) - Support for limited automotive production.
- Synthetic fabrics (HS code: 5407) - Used in textile manufacturing.
- Pharmaceuticals (HS code: 3004) - Vital for public health.
- Rubber tires (HS code: 4011) - Crucial for transportation needs.
- Iron and steel (HS code: 7202) - Fundamental for construction and manufacturing.
- Plastic products (HS code: 3901) - Diverse industrial and consumer applications.
Top Buyers:
KOREAN AIRLINES CO LTD, TRADING COMPANY SEBONG SAEBONG TRADING COMPANY, RYONSUNG TRADING
Solution for Global Exporters:
Global exporters should consider utilizing Volza’s online import data for North Korea to navigate this complex market. Volza provides tools to discover import trends and opportunities, helping exporters understand the limited but potentially valuable trade prospects within minutes.
Import Database - Factsheet
- Data Source
- Detailed Mirror data
- Data Available From
- 01, Jan, 2019
- Data Coverage
- 40%
- Last Shipment
- 05, Aug, 2024
Import Data













Search Import Export Data
North Korea Import Data
Product | Importers | Suppliers | Arrival Date |
---|---|---|---|
BALL POINT PEN TIPS OF BRASS WIRE PARTS | ![]() ![]() India | ![]() ![]() India | 18-04-2024 |
LOADCELL-PARTS OF WEIGHING SENSORS | 27-03-2024 | ||
GNA AXLES | ![]() ![]() India | ![]() ![]() India | 27-03-2024 |
SSDR,256G,P44,30S3,HYNIX,BC901 | ![]() ![]() India | ![]() ![]() India | 22-03-2024 |
ASSY, DUAL 24V MODULE,KDM-R | ![]() ![]() India | ![]() ![]() India | 08-03-2024 |
ASSY,INVERTER,MM,YAMUNA-R | ![]() ![]() India | ![]() ![]() India | 08-03-2024 |
Top 10 Importers
Within our Volza database, we possess comprehensive information about over 10 active importers in North Korea. To assist you in identifying the leading importers in North Korea, Volza offers an advanced feature that analyzes billions of shipping invoices using more than 20 parameters. Noteworthy among the top 10 importers in North Korea are companies like LG DISPLAY CO LTD PAJU, WALVOIL FLUID POWER KOREA , and ELAND WORLD LTD. These key players are featured prominently within our extensive database. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to our table, which outlines the top 10 importers, and explore the additional resources provided below.
Rank | Importers | Shipments |
---|---|---|
1 | 417 | |
2 | 415 | |
3 | 367 | |
4 | 255 | |
5 | 234 | |
6 | 232 | |
7 | 227 | |
8 | 211 | |
9 | 204 | |
10 | 196 |

Top 10 Import Products
As the North Korea import data reveals, the nation's top import products for 2024 were prominently characterized by:- Automobile Component: 34.37%
- Led Part For Led: 19.95%
- Presenter Box: 19.08%
- Valve Solenoid: 8.87%
- Seat Belt: 6.73%
- Used Compressor: 5.84%
- Pipe With Flange: 4.50%
- Cefixime : 0.36%
- Ayurvedic Medicine: 0.30%
- Poly Core Sewing Thread: 0.01%
Rank | Import Products | Shipments |
---|---|---|
1 | Automobile Component | 4,108,511 |
2 | LED Part for LED | 2,385,066 |
3 | PRESENTER BOX | 2,280,631 |
4 | Valve Solenoid | 1,060,074 |
5 | Seat Belt | 805,043 |
6 | Used Compressor | 698,026 |
7 | PIPE WITH FLANGE | 537,844 |
8 | Cefixime | 42,618 |
9 | AYURVEDIC MEDICINE | 35,452 |
10 | Poly Core Sewing Thread | 1,545 |

Trading Partners
Top Trading Partners of North Korea
Top 1 Import Trading Partners
North Korea trade data from 2024 highlights the nation's top 1 import partners as follows: INDIA (USD 16,544).
The growth rates for the leading three importers were as follows: India at 100.00% .
Trade balance analysis reveals that North Korea had a trade deficit with both Iran and China. Specifically, the deficit amounted to USD 300 million with Iran and USD 150 million with China in that year. North Korea import statistics show that the country's top 1 import partners in 2024 collectively contributed 87.2% to the overall value of import shipments. Furthermore, North Korea’s major imports from India include PRESENTER BOX, Automobile Component, Valve Solenoid, AYURVEDIC MEDICINE, LED Part for LED, Cefixime , PIPE WITH FLANGE, Used Compressor, Seat Belt, Poly Core Sewing Thread, products. The provided chart below breaks down the values in percentile of North Korea’s top 1 import partners for 2024.
Rank | Import Trading Partners | Shipments |
---|

Import Data Sample record
North Korea import data covers all important shipping details that are essential for businesses to find importers in North Korea, analyze market trends and identify potential industries. North Korea trade data contains customs-based details including Date, Importer Name, HS Code, HS Code Description, Commercial Description, Gross Weight, Net Weight, Total Value USD and Origin Country. View North Korea import data sample with complete number of fields available in data.
- Date:
- 18 Apr 2024
- HS Code:
- 96089191
- Quantity:
- 6,000
- Quantity Unit:
- PCS
- Value FC:
- 42,240
- Value:
- HS Descirption:
- Ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens; stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; pen holders, pencil holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of t
- Exporter:
- ESSEM TECNOPINZ PVT LTD
- Importer:
- SOUTH THIEN LONG MANUFACTURING

S.No | Data Fields |
---|---|
1 | |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | |
5 | |
6 | |
7 | |
8 | |
9 |

Top 10 Import Ports
North Korea's global import trade operates through over 10 ports. Busan stands as the predominant port, handling 4,263 import shipments, which constitutes a 27.35% market share. Seoul follows with an 18.98% share, accounting for 2,958 shipments, while Saint Brevin Locean contributes a 13.61% market share with its 2,121 shipments. For detailed import trade statistics of each port in North Korea, refer to the provided links below. Collectively, these ports underscore the integrated nature of North Korea's trade infrastructure. As the trade data indicates, these crucial import ports facilitate the consistent delivery of essential goods across North Korea.
Rank | Importers | Count |
---|

Import Bill of Lading
- Import Shipments of North Korea
- 218,974
- Date
- 18-04-2024
- Shipper Name
- EVERSHARP- A DIVISION OF ART CORP
- Consignee Name
- ESSEM TECNOPINZ PVT LTD
- Consignee Address
- N/A N/A
- Weight Unit
- THD
- Quantity
- 6,000
- Shipment Origin
- India
- Port of origin
- Bombay Air
Datasets
Africa-East
Djibouti Import Data33k | Updated 31-December-22- Ethiopia Export Data1.15M | Updated 31-July-24
- Kenya Import Data7.36M | Updated 31-July-24
- Sao Tome And Principe Export Data1479 | Updated 31-July-24
- Tanzania Export Data0.4M | Updated 31-July-24
- Uganda Export Data1.47M | Updated 31-May-24
- Zimbabwe Export Data0.1M | Updated 31-July-23
Africa-North
Algeria Import Data34k | Updated 31-December-22- Egypt Export Data28k | Updated 31-December-22
- Burundi Export Data36k | Updated 30-June-24
- Centralamerica Import Data1.00M | Updated 31-July-24
- Malawi Export Data34k | Updated 31-July-24
- Rwanda Import Data0.6M | Updated 30-June-24
- South Sudan Import Data0.5M | Updated 30-June-24
Africa-West
Ghana Export Data6004 | Updated 26-December-22- Nigeria Export Data92k | Updated 01-July-24
America-Central
Costa Rica Export Data5.32M | Updated 30-June-24- Guatemala Export Data0.8M | Updated 01-August-19
- Panama Export Data0.2M | Updated 30-June-24
Asia-Central
Kazakhstan Export Data1.32M | Updated 30-June-24- Uzbekistan Export Data1.57M | Updated 30-June-24
Asia-East
China Export Data0 | Updated 01-January-01- Japan Export Data0.4M | Updated 31-December-22
- Taiwan Export Data0.2M | Updated 31-December-22
Asia-South
Bangladesh Export Data0.1M | Updated 30-November-20- Bangladesh Export Data9.12M | Updated 30-June-24
- India Export Data0 | Updated 20-October-20
- Pakistan Export Data64k | Updated 30-November-20
- Pakistan Export Data6.28M | Updated 30-June-24
- Sri Lanka Export Data0 | Updated 01-January-01
Asia-Southeast
Indonesia Export Data0 | Updated 01-January-01- Indonesia Export Data0 | Updated 01-January-01
- Malaysia Export Data0.3M | Updated 31-December-22
- Philippines Export Data0 | Updated 01-January-01
- Singapore Export Data0.2M | Updated 31-December-22
- Thailand Export Data0.2M | Updated 31-December-22
- Vietnam Export Data0 | Updated 01-January-01
- Vietnam Export Data202603971 | Updated 30-June-24
Asia-West
Turkey Export Data73k | Updated 31-December-22Australia/Oceania
Australia Export Data0.1M | Updated 31-December-22- Fiji Export Data54k | Updated 31-October-21
Europe-East
Bulgaria Export Data2.79M | Updated 01-March-24- Czech Republic Export Data7.12M | Updated 01-March-24
- Hungary Export Data5.54M | Updated 01-March-24
- Moldova Export Data1.23M | Updated 31-May-23
- Namibia Export Data0.5M | Updated 30-June-24
- Poland Export Data7.62M | Updated 01-March-24
- Romania Export Data4.44M | Updated 01-March-24
- Russia Export Data12981864 | Updated 31-March-24
- Slovakia Export Data3.84M | Updated 01-March-24
- Slovenia Export Data4.57M | Updated 01-March-24
- Ukraine Export Data8.45M | Updated 31-March-24
Europe-North
Denmark Export Data9990 | Updated 29-December-22- Estonia Export Data2.19M | Updated 01-March-24
- Finland Export Data19k | Updated 31-December-22
- Ireland Export Data2.51M | Updated 01-March-24
- Latvia Export Data2.32M | Updated 01-March-24
- Lithuania Export Data4.00M | Updated 01-March-24
- Norway Export Data27k | Updated 31-December-22
- Sweden Export Data7.25M | Updated 01-March-24
- United Kingdom Export Data59k | Updated 31-December-22
Europe-South
Croatia Export Data2.68M | Updated 01-March-24- Cyprus Export Data0.2M | Updated 01-March-24
- Greece Export Data16k | Updated 31-December-22
- Italy Export Data0.2M | Updated 31-December-22
- Malta Export Data0.2M | Updated 01-March-24
- Portugal Export Data4.85M | Updated 01-March-24
- Spain Export Data0.3M | Updated 31-December-22
Europe-West
Austria Export Data6.78M | Updated 01-March-24- Belgium Export Data0.1M | Updated 31-December-22
- France Export Data72k | Updated 31-December-22
- Germany Export Data0.3M | Updated 31-December-22
- Luxembourg Export Data2.05M | Updated 01-March-24
- Netherlands Export Data0.2M | Updated 31-December-22
Middle-East
Bahrain Import Data0 | Updated 01-January-01- Iran Import Data0.1M | Updated 31-December-22
- Iraq Import Data0.1M | Updated 31-December-22
- Kuwait Import Data0.1M | Updated 31-December-22
- Oman Import Data48k | Updated 31-December-22
- Qatar Import Data63k | Updated 31-December-22
- Saudi Arabia Export Data0.1M | Updated 31-December-22
- United Arab Emirates Export Data92k | Updated 31-December-22
North America
Canada Export Data0.1M | Updated 31-December-22- Mexico Export Data82345831 | Updated 31-May-24
- United States Export Data70460242 | Updated 30-June-24
South America
Argentina Export Data25470417 | Updated 30-June-24- Bolivia Import Data10911390 | Updated 30-June-24
- Brazil Export Data0 | Updated 01-January-01
- Chile Export Data10513849 | Updated 31-May-24
- Colombia Export Data10686604 | Updated 31-May-24
- Ecuador Export Data11535992 | Updated 30-June-24
- Paraguay Export Data1.87M | Updated 30-June-24
- Peru Export Data0 | Updated 31-December-18
- Uruguay Export Data1.21M | Updated 31-July-24
- Venezuela Export Data85k | Updated 31-May-24