S. Korea expands customs cooperation with Central Asian nations

Seoul, September 17 - South Korea's customs agency has announced new agreements with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan to enhance customs cooperation and combat the trade of counterfeit Korean goods. The Korea Customs Service signed three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the Central Asian nations, aiming to proactively curb the distribution of counterfeit products that exploit the appeal of Korean brands during import and export.

The MOUs will facilitate the sharing of information about counterfeit products and enable joint enforcement actions. Additionally, South Korea has established mutual assistance customs agreements (CMACs) with Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. These agreements will involve the exchange of customs-related data and technology, as well as bolstering cooperation in customs procedures.

As a result, South Korean exporters will benefit from streamlined customs clearance channels, allowing them to swiftly address issues related to customs processes in the three Central Asian countries. The agreements are expected to foster information sharing and collaborative responses to illicit activities, including the smuggling of weapons, drugs, and evasion of customs duties.