South KoreaEquipment ImportsCore challenges of customs clearance

In 2025, Korea Customs Service (KCS) implemented new HS code classification rules for mechanical equipment imports, with declaration error rates increasing 37% year-on-year. Special equipment declarations now require 5 additional document categories, with industrial robots mandating KOSHA certification. According to Korea Customs Service statistics, Chinese equipment importers average 8.7 working days clearance delays due to missing documents.Safety Certification DocumentsThe complete import process consists of four stages:

Key control points in customs clearance process

Verify equipment HS codes (38 new subheadings added in 2025 edition)

• Pre-declaration stage
  • Applicability (China-Korea FTA preferential tariff validity until December 31, 2025)
  • ConfirmIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:Mechanical and electrical products require technical parameter manuals (Korean version)
• Document preparation stage
  • Used equipment must provide manufacturing year proof
  • Customs inspection stage
• Key verification of equipment power parameters against declarations
  • Wooden packaging materials require updated IPPC marks
  • Wooden packaging materials require updated IPPC markings
• Post-clearance supervision stage
  • Temporary import equipment requires deposit procedures
  • The re-export period for repair equipment has been shortened to 180 days

Key policy adjustments for 2025

Korean Customs key regulatory focus areas this year:

• Import tariff preferential scope for semiconductor manufacturing equipment narrowed (limited to sub-10nm process equipment only)
• New KFDA type certification requirements added for medical equipment
• Compulsory product liability insurance for industrial robot imports (minimum coverage of 500 million KRW)

Typical issue response strategies

Recent high-frequency dispute case handling solutions:

• Case 1: HS code classification error
  • Solution: Apply for customs advance classification ruling (processing period shortened to 7 working days)
• Case 2: Customs duty dispute on returned equipment
  • Solution: Use ATA Carnet for temporaryimport and export
• Case 3: Disagreement on valuation of used equipment
  • Solution: Provide international third-party appraisal report (must be KAA-recognized)

Analysis of Professional Agency Service Value

Core competencies quality agencies should possess:

• Risk control ability
  • Establish equipment parameter database (covering 120,000+ product models)
  • Real-time updates on Korean technical trade measure alerts
• Cost optimization capability
  • Average 7.2% tariff cost reduction by applying FTA rules
  • Save VAT expenditure through classified declaration
• Timeliness guarantee capability
  • Emergency clearance channel response time <2 hours
  • Abnormal case handling success rate reaches 98.6%

Through professional agency services, enterprises can reduce clearance time by 40% on average and lower compliance costs by 22%. One auto parts company successfully reduced import tariffs for laser welding equipment from 8% to 3.2% through optimized declaration solutions, saving approximately 120,000 yuan in tariff costs per batch.