[2025 Audit] Surge in Personal Customs Clearance Code 'Theft'... "Urgent Need to Strengthen Security"

Cases of personal customs clearance code theft are on the rise. There are growing calls for urgent measures such as strengthening security to prevent such incidents.

According to data submitted by Park Sunghoon, a member of the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee from the People Power Party (Buk-gu, Busan), to the Korea Customs Service, a total of 86,843 reports suspected of personal customs clearance code theft were filed from 2022 through July of this year.

Previously, in October 2022, the Korea Customs Service established a dedicated reporting channel for code theft on its website. That year, there were 1,502 reports of theft; in 2023, 16,355 cases were reported; and in 2024, 24,741 cases were filed. This year alone, from January to July, there have been 44,245 reports, indicating a yearly increase in suspected personal customs clearance code theft cases.

The personal customs clearance code is a code required for customs clearance when individuals bring goods into Korea through overseas direct purchases. This code is issued separately by the Korea Customs Service to identify the importer who holds the rights and obligations for the goods, serving as a substitute for the resident registration number (or foreigner registration number).

Because this code is used exclusively for customs clearance, it can be easily changed, allowing for flexible responses even if the information is leaked.

However, if the code is used without renewal after its initial issuance, it becomes difficult to reflect the latest information, making it hard to quickly detect cases of theft. This increases the risk of misuse.

In reality, personal customs clearance code theft is often exploited for illegal activities such as tax evasion and smuggling, causing serious damage. On the other hand, if victims do not report the theft, authorities find it difficult to detect such incidents, and victims themselves may not realize their code has been stolen.

Taking into account the annual increase in reports of suspected code theft, the Korea Customs Service introduced a one-year validity period for the code in June, a first for the system. The agency also revised and implemented the "Regulation on the Registration and Management of Customs Clearance Codes and Foreign Transaction Partner Codes," adding new features such as the ability to suspend use ex officio, voluntary cancellation, and expanded personal information requirements.

Additionally, the agency is reviewing measures to prevent code theft in advance, such as introducing an authentication number when purchasing goods.

Assemblyman Park stated, "Stolen personal customs clearance codes can be exploited for illegal acts such as tax evasion and smuggling, leading to serious damage, so special caution is required." He also urged, "The Korea Customs Service should not stop at mandating annual renewals (setting a validity period), but must continuously develop practical management measures and strengthen security to block and prevent actual cases of code theft."

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