Authorities vow stronger transshipment controls
By Kim Jae-won
The country’s customs agency has promised stricter control over transshipment cargos to prevent possible manipulation of the country of origin. The move comes ahead of the implementation of the Korea-European Union free trade agreement (FTA), which becomes effective from July 1.
“Strengthened control over transshipment goods from third countries such as China will be monitored to prevent originmanipulated goods exported to EU countries,” said Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Yoon Young-sun during a breakfast meeting with ambassadors of EU countries at the Hotel Shilla in central Seoul, Friday.
EU nations have been concerned that goods from third countries, which are disguised as Korean products, could be imported to their territories and wrongly enjoy tariff exemption benefits.
The KCS will reinforce control over transshipment cargos with its High-risk Cargo Selective System, which can trace suspected goods through e-seal. In 2010, the KCS found 56 products valued at around 116.9 billion won disguised as Korea-originated.
Yoon also vowed to protect the intellectual property rights (IPR) of European companies by exercising firm control over counterfeited and IRP infringed goods.
EU is sensitive to IPR issues because it is home to many renowned luxury brands, such as Hermes, Cartier and Louis Vuitton, the KCS said.
The European ambassadors cited the importance of cooperation between the KCS and the European countries for a successful FTA.
“The best way to prepare is by promoting a culture of cooperation and mutual confidence between the parties, and in particular the customs authorities, which are key to the integrity of the system,” said Tomasz Kozlowski, EU ambassador to Seoul.
European diplomats said Korea is an important trade partner, and hoped the FTA will be provide momentum to upgrade the relationship.
“We export pork belly to Korea. I hope trade will increase more with the FTA,” said Walter Kalteis, deputy head of the mission from the Embassy of Austria in Seoul.
Six ambassadors and 10 deputy ambassadors from 15 EU countries and the EU delegation office, which include Italy, Poland, Austria and Sweden, took part in the meeting.
The EU is Korea’s second biggest trade partner, and trade between two parties marked 69.4 billion euros last year.