Private traders still control goods distribution after passing through customs
North Korea has consolidated its foreign trade under officially licensed trading companies, sidelining independent traders from the import process. But once goods clear customs, it is still individual traders, not the companies whose names appear on the paperwork, who control how those goods reach North Korea’s markets, according to a source inside the country. A […]
North Korea has transferred foreign trade management to officially licensed trading companies, excluding independent traders from the import process. However, once goods clear customs, it is still individual traders who control how those goods reach North Korea's markets, according to an insider in Ryanggang province. Although trading companies manage the import process, individual traders are the ones distributing the goods after customs inspection.
In the past, independent traders could deal directly with Chinese counterparts without a registered trading company but this pathway was closed off as North Korean authorities expanded official trade through customs channels. As a result, many traders have registered themselves as employees of trading companies, using the company's import license to continue their operations.
Despite this shift, individual traders still control the final leg of the supply chain, distributing goods to consumers through private networks, such as jangmadang markets in Pyongyang and other inland areas.
Written by urgent.news from Daily NK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
