How many illegal imports of Wegovy and Mounjaro did Korea Customs detect in 2026 through August?

The Korea Customs Service detected 5,030 illegal import cases in the January-August period. The agency said the total was far above the 1,189 cases recorded for all of last year.

Why are more Koreans trying to bring in Wegovy and Mounjaro from abroad?

The customs agency said a growing number of Koreans have tried to buy the medicines from neighboring countries because of price differences. It also said the drugs are prohibited in travelers’ hand luggage.

What does the customs agency do when it finds illegal weight-loss drug imports?

It said it conducts X-ray scans and baggage inspections, then returns or discards products that do not meet import requirements. If the case involves smuggling, it can open investigations and impose punishment.

Illegal imports of weight-loss drugs top 5,000 through Aug.: customs agency

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Summary

Korea’s customs agency said illegal imports of weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro exceeded 5,000 cases in January-August. The Korea Customs Service counted 5,030 cases, far above 1,189 cases for all of last year. The agency said it is working with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to inspect imported medications and block unauthorized products. It also said it conducts X-ray scans and baggage inspections and can investigate smuggling cases.

Key Facts

The Korea Customs Service detected 5,030 cases of illegal weight-loss drug imports in the January-August period.
The figure was much higher than the 1,189 cases recorded for all of last year.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are prohibited from being brought into the country in travelers’ hand luggage.
The customs agency said it uses X-ray scans and baggage inspections to return or discard products that do not meet import requirements.
The agency said it may launch investigations and impose punishment when violations amount to smuggling.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 17, 2026 10:48 am KST

Weight-loss medication Wegovy / Reuters-Yonhap

Korea's customs agency said Thursday the number of attempted illegal imports of weight-loss medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, surged from a year earlier to exceed 5,000.

A total of 5,030 cases involving the illegal import of weight-loss drugs through overseas direct purchases and other illicit channels were detected in the January-August period, far exceeding the 1,189 cases tallied for all of last year, according to data compiled by the Korea Customs Service.

The customs agency has been working closely with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to inspect imported medications as part of efforts to protect public health from unauthorized products.

While Wegovy and Mounjaro are prohibited from being brought into the country in travelers' hand luggage, a growing number of Koreans have attempted to purchase the medications from neighboring countries due to price differences.

"The customs agency conducts X-ray scans and baggage inspections and returns or discards products that do not meet import requirements," the agency said.

"If violations go beyond a failure to meet import requirements and constitute offenses such as smuggling, we take stern measures, including investigations and punishment," it added.

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