[2025 National Audit] Concerns Over Inadequate Management of Bonded Cargo Disposal... Urgent Need to Increase Customs Staff

Concerns have been raised about inadequate management and oversight of bonded cargo disposal amid a surge in direct overseas purchases from China. The main reason cited is that, due to a shortage of customs personnel, it is virtually impossible to handle the rapidly increasing volume in a thorough manner.

Status data on the number of disposals and personnel in charge by headquarters customs office. Provided by Assemblyman Park Mingyu's office (Source=Korea Customs Service)

According to data submitted by the Korea Customs Service to Assemblyman Park Mingyu, a member of the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee, the number of bonded cargo disposals rose from 127,819 cases in 2020 to 438,837 cases in 2024, marking a 3.4-fold increase.

By customs office, Pyeongtaek Customs handled 991,198 cases, Incheon Airport Customs processed 581,900 cases, and Incheon Customs dealt with 312,081 cases. As of the end of last year, these three customs offices accounted for over 90% of all bonded cargo disposals nationwide. Other offices followed, with Busan handling 12,034 cases, Gwangju 4,257 cases, Seoul 2,024 cases, and Daegu 887 cases.

The issue is that the number of bonded cargo disposals handled annually by each staff member is so high that proper management and oversight are difficult to achieve. In fact, it was found that at Pyeongtaek Customs, each employee handled an average of 39,306 cases per year; at Incheon Airport Customs, 37,615 cases; and at Incheon Customs, 31,041 cases. In comparison, at Daegu Customs, each staff member handled an average of just 21 cases per year, resulting in a disparity of up to 187 times in the workload per employee between Daegu and Pyeongtaek Customs.

Assemblyman Park explained that, considering the complex procedures involved in bonded cargo disposal-such as application, eligibility review, approval, on-site supervision, and completion reporting-it is virtually impossible for offices like Pyeongtaek Customs to properly carry out their work with the current staffing levels.

Assemblyman Park stated, "While the volume of bonded cargo disposals is skyrocketing alongside the increase in direct overseas purchases, each employee is being tasked with tens of thousands of disposal cases, making it practically impossible to perform their work properly. Without adequate staffing, management and oversight of disposals will deteriorate, and there is a serious risk that confiscated items could be removed from the premises."

He further urged, "The Korea Customs Service should review the current state of bonded cargo disposal work, supplement the responsible personnel, and implement measures to improve working conditions and enhance work efficiency."

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