Korea Customs Service to Focus on Supporting Export Industries and Safeguarding Social Safety

"Our key priorities for next year will be supporting export industries to respond to the new trade order, including the implementation of tariff negotiations with the United States, and safeguarding social safety by strictly cracking down on illegal trade activities."

On December 11, the Korea Customs Service announced its "Key Initiatives for 2026" during the departmental work reports presided over by the President.

Lee Myunggu, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, is explaining related matters at the Government Complex Daejeon after completing departmental work reports on the 11th. Photo by Jeong Ilwoong

Next year, as a follow-up to the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, the Korea Customs Service will strengthen the management of non-preferential origin and tariff classification codes to ensure that domestic companies do not suffer unfair disadvantages under the United States' country-specific differential tariff system. The agency will also support companies in preparing for post-verification by U.S. customs authorities.

In addition, to enhance the export competitiveness of key national industries such as semiconductors, shipbuilding, and biotechnology, as well as promising sectors like K-beauty and food, the Korea Customs Service plans to hold industry-specific meetings and incorporate feedback from the field to develop and announce innovative measures for customs and logistics regulations. Cooperation channels with the European Union will also be strengthened in preparation for the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by the EU in January next year.

In particular, the agency will distribute its self-developed "carbon emissions management program" free of charge to export companies. This program is integrated into the origin management system (FTA-PASS), which was established by the Korea Customs Service to help small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from FTAs. By utilizing this system, companies can handle both FTA preferential treatment and compliance with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in a one-stop process. The agency also plans to pursue global standardization of the "Korean-style carbon emissions management program" in connection with the overseas deployment of the origin management system.

To safeguard social safety, a dedicated unit for investigating trade security crimes will be established to respond to the recent increase in trade security violations, such as indirect exports and the export of strategic goods. The Korea Customs Service will also advance its supply chain crisis early detection system to respond promptly to supply chain shocks, such as disruptions in raw material procurement.

There will also be a stronger focus on investigating illegal foreign exchange transactions to cut off the financial links of transnational crimes. The scope of investigations will be expanded to cover all transnational crimes, including gambling and voice phishing. Monitoring of criminal funds will be strengthened through analysis of overseas ATM withdrawal records and crackdowns on the carrying of counterfeit currency by high-risk travelers.

The agency will also advance its information analysis for drug smuggling crackdowns at the border and refine X-ray screening for cargo from high-risk countries. In particular, the Korea Customs Service plans to expand international investigative cooperation with major drug source countries such as Cambodia and Thailand to extend drug interdiction efforts overseas.

Commissioner Lee Myunggu stated, "The Korea Customs Service will make 'national economic growth' and 'public safety' the top priorities for customs administration next year and will devote all efforts to related work."

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