Sanctioned Destinations  

   

North Korea

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License Requirements

A license is required for the export or reexport to North Korea of all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), other than food or medicine classified as EAR99, as described in Section 746.4 of the EAR.

License Exceptions

A license exception is an authorization to export or reexport under stated conditions certain items without a license that would otherwise require a license. Only the license exceptions, or portions thereof, listed in Section 746.4(c) of the EAR are available for North Korea. You may export or reexport to North Korea without an individual validated license if your transaction meets all the applicable terms and conditions of the available license exceptions. To determine the scope and eligibility requirements, you must review the sections or specific paragraphs of Part 740 of the EAR (License Exceptions). Read each license exception carefully, as the provisions available for sanctioned countries are generally narrow.

Licensing Policy

As described in Section 746.4(b) of the EAR, license applications for exports and reexports of items subject to the EAR are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, except as follows:

  • Humanitarian items intended for the benefit of the North Korean people; items in support of United Nations humanitarian efforts; and agricultural commodities or medical devices that are determined by the U.S. Government not to be luxury goods are subject to a general policy of approval;
  • Luxury goods; arms and materiel; certain items that the United Nations has determined could contribute to North Korea's nuclear-related, ballistic missile-related or other weapons of mass destruction-related programs; and items controlled for Nuclear Proliferation (NP) and Missile Technology (MT) reasons, except items classified as Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 7A103; and certain additional items on the Commerce Control List (CCL) specified in Section 742.19(b) of the EAR are subject to a general policy of denial.

Export-Specific Guidance

Food

For the purpose of exports and reexports to North Korea, food is defined in Section 772 of the EAR as items that are consumed by and provide nutrition to humans and animals, and seeds, with the exception of castor bean seeds, that germinate into items that will be consumed by and provide nutrition to humans and animals. Examples of “food” include, but are not limited to, processed or unprocessed food items for human consumption, feed, livestock, vitamins, minerals, food additives, dietary supplements and bottled water. Food does not include cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, or gum.

Medicine and Medical Devices

A license is not required to export or reexport to North Korea medicine classified as EAR99. However, a license is required to export or reexport to North Korea medicine on the CCL, such as certain vaccines and immunotoxins, and medical devices that are subject to the EAR. For purposes of the EAR, medical devices include medical supplies, instruments, equipment, equipped ambulances, institutional washing machines for sterilization, and vehicles with medical testing equipment. Note that License Exception Servicing and Replacement of Parts and Equipment (RPL) is not available for North Korea. Therefore, an individual validated license is required to export or reexport to North Korea replacement parts and components that are subject to the EAR.

Other U.S. Government Agencies

Please be aware that other U.S. Government agencies administer regulations that could also impact your export or reexport transaction. For example, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) maintains certain North Korea-related sanctions. Exporters and reexporters are responsible for complying with all applicable regulatory requirements.

Questions

For questions specific to North Korea, contact the Foreign Policy Division at 202-482-4252.