Customs and Clearance
Korea Customs Service officially opens dedicated customs platform for overseas direct purchases (opens in a new window)
The dedicated e-commerce customs platform has officially opened, introducing e-commerce operator registration and a dedicated declaration form. Inspection will be strengthened for high-risk goods that do not go through the platform.
Korea Customs Service
Guide to self-nomination (application) for Model Taxpayer of the 2027 "61st Taxpayers' Day" (opens in a new window)
Self-nominations for Model Taxpayer are accepted until November 10, 2026. Applicants must complete the application form and submit it by email.
Korea Customs Service
Trade Commission makes final ruling on dumping investigations into Chinese galvanized cold-rolled steel and offset printing plates (opens in a new window)
The Trade Commission resolved to recommend imposing anti-dumping duties of 22.34% to 33.67% on Chinese galvanized cold-rolled steel and 10.32% on offset printing plates for 5 years.
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources
Pursuit of 6 regulatory innovation tasks to support the 3 mega projects (opens in a new window)
Shippers that use bonded construction work sites, general bonded areas, or bonded factories should check the improvements in the 6 regulatory innovation tasks the Korea Customs Service is pursuing.
Korea Customs Service
(Press explanation) The government continues to pursue institutional improvements to increase the price-stabilizing effect of quota tariffs (opens in a new window)
The government continues to pursue institutional improvements to increase the price-stabilizing effect of quota tariffs.
Ministry of Finance and Economy
Notice of closure of 2026 payment of export and import cargo inspection cost subsidies (opens in a new window)
The 2026 budget for export and import cargo inspection cost support has run out. Applications from October 20, 2026 will be paid after the 2027 budget is allocated, so cargo owners should check their application schedule with the payment timing in mind.
Korea Customs Service
Partial amendment of the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Trade Act: provision of preferential tariff statistics and designation of trade agreement utilization support institutions (opens in a new window)
Shippers that want to use a preferential tariff utilization support program should check the list of designated trade agreement utilization support institutions announced on the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources website.
National Law Information Center
Stopping large-scale container smuggling: Korea Customs Service fully overhauls its drug enforcement system for general import cargo (opens in a new window)
The Korea Customs Service has overhauled its drug enforcement system for general import cargo and now includes inspection processes after entry into bonded areas.
Korea Customs Service
Briefing held for exporters on responding to non-tariff barriers in 9 countries (opens in a new window)
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and KOTRA held a briefing on October 20, 2026 on responding to non-tariff barriers in 9 countries, covering certification and customs requirements and FTA use cases.
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources
11th Korea-Chile Free Trade Commission held (opens in a new window)
The commission reviewed progress in revising the Korea-Chile FTA product-specific rules of origin from HS2012 to HS2022. It also discussed ways to advance negotiations to improve the FTA.
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources
Notice on production areas in Israel to which the preferential tariff under the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Israel applies, and verification methods (opens in a new window)
The occupied areas (Annexes 1 and 2) to which the Israel FTA preferential tariff does not apply have been changed, effective October 16, 2026.
National Law Information Center
Vietnam overhauls tariff classification system for imports and exports, with attention on changes in customs practice (opens in a new window)
KOTRAVietnam
Ethiopia moves to ease ban on internal combustion vehicle imports, shifting from full opening to tariff control (opens in a new window)
KOTRAEthiopia
Guide to holding "Korea Customs Week 2026" (CBP briefing, CBAM seminar) (opens in a new window)
A U.S. CBP briefing on November 2, 2026 and an EU CBAM response seminar on November 4 will be held at Lotte Hotel World. Applications for participation are being accepted.
Korea Customs Service
Notice on origin (blanket) certificates recognized by the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service (opens in a new window)
Exporters, producers, and other users can now apply directly for designated items under the origin (blanket) certificate. Effective October 12, 2026.
National Law Information Center
Impact of Kenya's full introduction of the Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) system and corporate response measures (opens in a new window)
KOTRAKenya
U.S. IEEPA tariff refund phase 3 to start in October: how far will eligible refunds extend? (opens in a new window)
KOTRAUnited States
US exports become tougher: customs, not just tariffs, is now a major hurdle (opens in a new window)
KOTRAUnited States
Busan Port Authority publishes customs and VAT practical guide for Korean companies expanding into Europe (opens in a new window)
A Netherlands customs and VAT practical guide has been published, covering the Article 23 deferment scheme, under which import VAT is handled in the periodic VAT return instead of being prepaid to customs.
Busan Port Authority
Protectionism and duty-free channels coexist: Brazil's Ex-Tarifario status (opens in a new window)
KOTRABrazil
How to delegate permission to look up export declaration numbers in the FTA certificate of origin application
To look up an export declaration number in the FTA certificate of origin application, a Licensed Customs Broker needs permission delegated by the exporter (shipper) on the UNI-PASS company records permission settings screen.
Korea Customs Service
Notice on resumption of normal operation following restoration of the Korea-India EODES system (opens in a new window)
The Korea-India EODES system is operating normally. Some C/O submissions transmitted during the restoration are being processed in sequence.
Korea Customs Service
Guidelines on proving direct transport of crude oil under FTAs (Oct. 2, 2026) (opens in a new window)
Guidelines clarifying the criteria for recognizing direct transport under FTAs for crude oil imported via a third country were issued on October 2, 2026.
Korea Customs Service