North Korea strategically imports goods through the Sinuiju-Dandong route and exports through alternate routes to evade sanctions. Freight trains bring imports into North Korea from China but return empty, while export goods are routed through different provinces in China.
Cargo trucks also follow the same pattern, carrying goods into North Korea but returning empty to China. North Korean authorities avoid exporting through Dandong to prevent foreign detection. Construction materials and food, not under sanctions, are typical imports through Dandong.
Conversely, auto parts, machinery, and steel products subject to sanctions are imported through other routes. Recent imports include pharmaceuticals and food items like candies, cookies, and dried fruits. Both countries navigate around sanctions by using undisclosed routes for trade.
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