China Fully Bans Import of Mineral and Marine Products From North Korea in Line With UN Resolution

(Yicai Global) Aug. 15 — China has fully banned the import of coal, iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and marine products from North Korea, starting from Aug. 15, ministry of commerce and general administration of customs announced in a notice yesterday.

Compared with the injunction issued by ministry of commerce on prohibiting the import of coal from North Korea in April 2016, this notice doesn’t contain any exception provision such as “except for the transactions completely for the people’s livelihood and not involving the nuclear program or ballistic missile program of North Korea or other activities prohibited by resolutions of United Nations Security Council,” which was mentioned in last year’s injunction.

In a further move, China has added the import of lead, lead ore and marine products from North Korea to the latest injunction. According to the notice of ministry of commerce, for the coal transited through North Korea’s Rason port, the exporting country shall report to the relevant committees of the United Nations Security Council in advance, and the Chinese importer shall carry the relevant report materials to have the customs clearance procedures completed.

China’s latest decision is an administrative measure implemented in accordance with Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China to execute №2371 Resolution of the United Nations Security Council, said the ministry’s notice.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting in early August and passed №2371 Resolution unanimously to impose further sanctions on North Korea for its tests of ballistic missiles. The resolution prohibits North Korea to export coal, mineral products (such as iron and lead) and marine products.

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