"Beware of Parcel Loss and Damage Ahead of the Holidays"

Seoul City Issues Consumer Damage Advisory

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 29th that it will issue a ‘Consumer Damage Advisory for Delivery Services’ throughout September ahead of Chuseok, when the use of delivery services increases. The city emphasized the need to carefully package items that are prone to damage or breakage, such as fresh and frozen foods, using cooling packs and cushioning materials, and to label them with ‘Handle with Care’ warnings.

Seoul has been implementing a ‘Consumer Damage Item Forecast System’ since this year to inform consumers in advance about the types and items of damages that increase during specific periods, aiming to prevent harm. The forecasted items by period were determined by analyzing approximately 570,000 cases of damage consultations received by the Korea Consumer Agency over the past four years.

Over the recent four years (2019?2022), a total of 5,056 delivery-related consultations were received by the Korea Consumer Agency. In September, ahead of Chuseok, the number of consultations increased by about 23% compared to the previous month (375 cases in August, 460 cases in September). Among these, ‘breach of contract’ accounted for more than half (51.8%, 2,621 cases), making it the most common issue.

Typical damage cases included ▲delayed compensation for lost shipments ▲refusal to compensate for shipments lost during return collection ▲refusal to compensate for damaged shipments ▲refusal to compensate for delayed delivery and spoilage of fresh foods.

The city advised that since delivery volumes surge around Chuseok, causing possible delays, consumers should request deliveries with ample time in advance. It also stressed the importance of accurately recording the type, quantity, and price of items on the shipping invoice and keeping it until delivery is completed. In particular, the item price must be accurately entered as it serves as the basis for calculating damages in cases of loss, damage, or delivery delays.

If you experience damage related to delivery services, you can contact the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center (Korea Consumer Agency). For damages related to online purchases, you can apply for counseling at the Seoul Electronic Commerce Center, where you will receive detailed guidance on how to respond.

Kim Kyung-mi, Director of Fair Economy at Seoul City, said, “Since delivery usage increases during this period, we hope people carefully review damage cases and precautions before sending items to enjoy a pleasant holiday.” She added, “To support rational consumption by citizens and create a fair trading environment, we will analyze recurring consumer damage patterns and provide useful consumer information.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.