China–North Korea Bilateral Trade 2026
China–North Korea trade reached $2.3B in January–September 2026, +18.6% year on year. China exported $1.8B and imported $484M.
Source: GACC Monthly · USD Data as of: September 2026 Coverage 2018-01–2026-09
Explore this data
Leading commodity chapters across the available monthly history — darker cells show higher trade value. Hover any cell for detail.
Top China Exports to North Korea
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 39Plastics and articles thereof | $224M | 12.5% | +30.2% | $245M |
| HS 67Feathers, artificial flowers and wigs | $129M | 7.2% | -24.4% | $212M |
| HS 15Fats and oils | $111M | 6.2% | +20.8% | $139M |
| HS 54Man-made filaments | $85.6M | 4.8% | -8.3% | $132M |
| HS 94Furniture, bedding and lighting | $73.1M | 4.1% | +6.7% | $98.0M |
| HS 61Apparel, knitted or crocheted | $68.6M | 3.8% | +27.6% | $103M |
| HS 02Meat and offal | $59.1M | 3.3% | +171.7% | $38.9M |
| HS 64Footwear | $57.2M | 3.2% | +43.4% | $57.8M |
| HS 60Knitted or crocheted fabrics | $52.7M | 3.0% | -2.5% | $81.0M |
| HS 40Rubber and articles thereof | $51.2M | 2.9% | -1.3% | $73.2M |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 6703Worked human hair and wig-making materials | $125M | 7.0% | -25.2% | $208M |
| HS 1507Soybean oil | $105M | 5.9% | +25.6% | $128M |
| HS 5407Woven synthetic filament fabrics | $64.2M | 3.6% | -17.2% | $109M |
| HS 0207Poultry meat and edible offal | $58.0M | 3.2% | +178.9% | $37.1M |
| HS 6006Other knitted fabrics, width >30 cm | $40.2M | 2.2% | +4.4% | $56.4M |
| HS 3920Non-cellular plain plastic sheets and film | $39.6M | 2.2% | +53.8% | $37.5M |
| HS 9403Furniture | $37.7M | 2.1% | +3.2% | $53.1M |
| HS 4011New pneumatic rubber tyres | $34.6M | 1.9% | +4.8% | $47.8M |
| HS 6402Footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics | $33.8M | 1.9% | +74.4% | $29.4M |
| HS 6907Ceramic floor and wall tiles, mosaics | $29.9M | 1.7% | +10.0% | $37.9M |
Top China Imports from North Korea
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 67Feathers, artificial flowers and wigs | $162M | 33.5% | +3.1% | $206M |
| HS 26Ores, slag and ash | $115M | 23.9% | +239.1% | $50.9M |
| HS 38Miscellaneous chemical products | $51.5M | 10.6% | +243.8% | $21.6M |
| HS 98Commodities not classified by kind | $27.2M | 5.6% | +136.0% | $20.3M |
| HS 95Toys, games and sports equipment | $20.7M | 4.3% | +86.2% | $17.3M |
| HS 91Clocks and watches | $19.4M | 4.0% | +14.4% | $22.5M |
| HS 72Iron and steel | $19.0M | 3.9% | -11.5% | $33.3M |
| HS 27Mineral fuels and oils | $13.1M | 2.7% | -34.9% | $24.3M |
| HS 90Optical, measuring and medical instruments | $8.1M | 1.7% | +98.9% | $6.3M |
| HS 28Inorganic chemicals | $8.1M | 1.7% | +58.3% | $7.2M |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 6704Wigs, false eyelashes and hairpieces | $161M | 33.2% | +2.3% | $205M |
| HS 2611Tungsten ores and concentrates | $98.9M | 20.5% | +382.6% | $33.8M |
| HS 3824Foundry binders and other chemical preparations | $51.4M | 10.6% | +244.3% | $21.6M |
| HS 9804Low-value goods in simplified customs procedures | $27.1M | 5.6% | +136.0% | $20.3M |
| HS 9108Watch movements, complete and assembled | $19.0M | 3.9% | +14.0% | $22.1M |
| HS 2613Molybdenum ores and concentrates | $16.5M | 3.4% | +21.6% | $17.1M |
| HS 7202Ferro-alloys | $15.5M | 3.2% | -22.3% | $30.2M |
| HS 2716Electrical energy | $13.1M | 2.7% | -34.9% | $24.3M |
| HS 9503Toys and games | $10.7M | 2.2% | +145.3% | $7.8M |
| HS 9023Demonstration instruments and models | $7.9M | 1.6% | +95.6% | $6.3M |
Fast-Growing China Export Products to North Korea
Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025 · USD · ranked by USD increase
96 products qualify
- 1 Ducks,not cut in pieces, frozenHS 020742 Exports$46.8M Increase+$32.2M YoY+221%
- 2 Footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, nesHS 640299 Exports$30.7M Increase+$14.2M YoY+86%
- 3 Other blockboard, laminboard and battenboard, with at least one outer ply of non-coniferous woodHS 441252 Exports$14.6M Increase+$10.1M YoY+220%
- 4 Beer made from malt.HS 220300 Exports$16.4M Increase+$10.0M YoY+157%
- 5 Semimilled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazedHS 100630 Exports$10.4M Increase+$9.3M YoY+836%
- 6 Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular polymers of vinyl chloride, containing by weight < 6% of plasticisers, not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, without backing, unworked or merely surface-worked or merely cut into squares or rectangles (excluding self-adhesive products, and floor, wall and ceiling coverings of heading 3918)HS 392049 Exports$12.4M Increase+$8.6M YoY+231%
China–North Korea Annual Trade and Year-to-Date Totals
USD| Period | China exports | China imports | Total trade | China balance | Total vs prior period | Partner rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD (Jan–Sep) | $1.8B | $484M | $2.3B | +$1.3B | +18.6% | No. 115 |
| 2025 (full year) | $2.3B | $442M | $2.7B | +$1.9B | +25.5% | No. 114 |
| 2024 (full year) | $1.8B | $347M | $2.2B | +$1.5B | -5.0% | No. 118 |
| 2023 (full year) | $2.0B | $292M | $2.3B | +$1.7B | +137.3% | No. 111 |
| 2022 (full year) | $833M | $134M | $967M | +$700M | +221.3% | No. 141 |
| 2021 (full year) | $243M | $58.1M | $301M | +$185M | -44.2% | No. 163 |
| 2020 (full year) | $491M | $47.9M | $539M | +$443M | -80.7% | No. 148 |
| 2019 (full year) | $2.6B | $215M | $2.8B | +$2.4B | +14.8% | No. 92 |
| 2018 (full year) | $2.2B | $213M | $2.4B | +$2.0B | — | No. 95 |
Popular North Korea trade data requests
These pages match the country data-request patterns behind recent custom-data inquiries.
- China exports to North Korea by HS code
- Seafood and prepared fish products: HS 03, 1604, 1605
- Monthly CSV from 2023 to latest available month
- GACC-sourced customs statistics for research use
Monthly China exports to North Korea for HS 03, 1604, and 1605, cleaned for research CSV delivery.
Grouped food-product scope covering fish, prepared food, cereal preparations, vegetable preparations, and miscellaneous food chapters.
Country-level request page for monthly China-North Korea customs rows by HS code, value, flow, and source notes.
A narrow HS chapter extract for researchers tracking fish and crustacean trade flows into North Korea.
Prepared or preserved fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates exported from China to North Korea.
About China–North Korea trade and frequently asked questions
What was China's trade with North Korea in Jan–Sep 2026?
In January–September 2026, China–North Korea goods trade totaled $2.3B: China exported $1.8B and imported $484M, a China trade surplus of $1.3B (+18.6% vs the same months of 2025). North Korea ranked No. 115 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with North Korea in 2025?
In 2025, China–North Korea goods trade totaled $2.7B: China exported $2.3B and imported $442M, a China trade surplus of $1.9B (+25.5% vs 2024). North Korea ranked No. 114 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with North Korea in 2024?
In 2024, China–North Korea goods trade totaled $2.2B: China exported $1.8B and imported $347M, a China trade surplus of $1.5B (-5.0% vs 2023). North Korea ranked No. 118 among China's trading partners.
What does China export to North Korea?
In January–September 2026, China's leading exports to North Korea by HS chapter were Plastics and articles thereof (HS 39, $224M, 12.5% of the total); Feathers, artificial flowers and wigs (HS 67, $129M, 7.2% of the total); Fats and oils (HS 15, $111M, 6.2% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Worked human hair and wig-making materials (HS 6703, $125M); Soybean oil (HS 1507, $105M); Woven synthetic filament fabrics (HS 5407, $64.2M).
What does China export to North Korea in 2025?
In 2025, China's leading exports to North Korea by HS chapter were Plastics and articles thereof (HS 39, $245M, 10.7% of the total); Feathers, artificial flowers and wigs (HS 67, $212M, 9.3% of the total); Fats and oils (HS 15, $139M, 6.1% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Worked human hair and wig-making materials (HS 6703, $208M); Soybean oil (HS 1507, $128M); Woven synthetic filament fabrics (HS 5407, $109M).
What does China import from North Korea?
In January–September 2026, China's leading imports from North Korea by HS chapter were Feathers, artificial flowers and wigs (HS 67, $162M, 33.5% of the total); Ores, slag and ash (HS 26, $115M, 23.9% of the total); Miscellaneous chemical products (HS 38, $51.5M, 10.6% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Wigs, false eyelashes and hairpieces (HS 6704, $161M); Tungsten ores and concentrates (HS 2611, $98.9M); Foundry binders and other chemical preparations (HS 3824, $51.4M).
What is China’s trade balance with North Korea?
China's goods trade balance with North Korea was +$1.3B in January–September 2026, compared with +$1.3B in the same months of 2025. 2025: +$1.9B. A negative balance is a China trade deficit.
Where can I download China–North Korea trade data?
The public API exposes available monthly totals and HS chapter breakdowns. Choose supported HS6/HS8 products, years, trade direction and countries. Review available coverage and your one-time price before payment. Delivery timing is shown before checkout. For unsupported scopes, custom research or recurring updates, ask our team to confirm availability and any custom quote by email.
Source
Source
Source: China General Administration of Customs (GACC)
Citation
Citation
China North Korea bilateral trade data, monthly. General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC). https://chinadata.live/china-trade/north-korea/, accessed 2026-11-10.