North Korea’s Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory is ramping up efforts to break into the Chinese market. While the company is tailoring its cosmetic products and marketing to Chinese consumer preferences, it remains unclear whether Chinese buyers are willing to purchase North Korean-made cosmetics.
A source in North Korea told Daily NK recently that the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory, North Korea’s leading cosmetics manufacturer, has developed products specifically for Chinese consumers. The company’s “spring fragrance” brand now includes a Kaesong ginseng series, with toners and nourishing creams being exported to China.
The nourishing cream comes in packaging divided into red and white sections, while the toner features silver dots and pink stripes. The packaging was specifically designed to appeal to Chinese customers’ preferences, according to the source.
The products emphasize ginseng as their main ingredient, highlighting its reported skin benefits, and include ingredients like aloe vera, licorice, and gromwell root to refresh and whiten the skin—priorities for Chinese consumers. The product descriptions aim to create the impression that these cosmetics are made from natural ingredients.
The cosmetic products being exported to China range in price from 150 Chinese yuan (about $21 USD) to 800 yuan (about $112 USD).
“The Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory operates on advance payments from North Korean traders, whom it repays with product shipments. The factory continuously adjusts its product composition and packaging based on requests from Chinese wholesalers, which are relayed through the North Korean traders,” the source explained.
The Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory and other North Korean cosmetics manufacturers maintain dedicated departments for developing and producing export cosmetics, the source said.
Export production lines are completely separate from domestic distribution lines, and labels list ingredients in compliance with Chinese customs requirements.
Foreign currency earnings are believed to be the primary motivation behind North Korean cosmetics factories’ persistent efforts to develop and produce export cosmetics.
North Korean authorities are encouraging major cosmetics factories nationwide to dedicate resources to export production.
“Depending on the Chinese market’s response, cosmetics factories plan to seriously consider expanding their export production. But it remains unclear whether they can establish a foothold in the Chinese market that would allow them to increase exports,” the source said.
“North Korean cosmetic products have gained access to the Chinese market through their reputation for being traditional and natural. However, they must still overcome Chinese consumer distrust related to concerns about ingredient safety and sanitation.”
