North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows



Analysis North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows July customs data show more banned machinery and metal products, while wig trade drives rebound in exports Anton Sokolin August 20, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON The view of the North Korean city of Sinuiju and bridges across the Yalu River as seen from Dandong in China \| Image: Qi via Xiaohongshu North Korea's imports of items barred under U.N. sanctions ticked up in July even as overall shipments from China fell, while Pyongyang's exports rebounded on the back of resurging wig trade, according to official data. Imports falling under machinery categories prohibited by U.N. Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2397 reached nearly $51,500 in July, marking a palpable increase from $35,000 a month earlier, China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed in new trade data released on Thursday. The blacklisted machinery included $22,462 worth of centrifugal pumps, $12,500 worth of various valves and $7,300 worth of switchboards, as well as items Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01North Korea’s politburo meeting hints at secret changes to senior officials 02The bureaucracy test: Signs to look for before a Trump-Kim summit 03China has reasons to like Trump’s North Korea outreach — and reasons to worry 04North Korea’s old alliance with Tanzania quietly finds new life 05North Korea has named its price for reopening UK’s embassy in Pyongyang 06Why Trump’s new counter-cybercrime model curiously leaves out North Korea 07The Kremlin veteran tasked with keeping Russia-North Korea’s alliance on track 08North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows

Analysis

North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows

July customs data show more banned machinery and metal products, while wig trade drives rebound in exports

Anton Sokolin August 20, 2026

North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows

The view of the North Korean city of Sinuiju and bridges across the Yalu River as seen from Dandong in China | Image: Qi via Xiaohongshu

North Korea's imports of items barred under U.N. sanctions ticked up in July even as overall shipments from China fell, while Pyongyang's exports rebounded on the back of resurging wig trade, according to official data.

Imports falling under machinery categories prohibited by U.N. Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2397 reached nearly $51,500 in July, marking a palpable increase from $35,000 a month earlier, China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed in new trade data released on Thursday.

The blacklisted machinery included $22,462 worth of centrifugal pumps, $12,500 worth of various valves and $7,300 worth of switchboards, as well as items

North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows

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Anton Sokolin