South Korea Uncovers Surge in Fake Made in Korea Exports to Evade US Tariffs
South Korea’s customs office has raised alarms over a growing trend of foreign goods, particularly from China, being falsely labeled as Korean-made to bypass U.S. tariffs. The Korea Customs Service (KCS) revealed on Monday that attempts to evade sweeping import duties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have surged in recent months.
According to a special investigation conducted by KCS last month, violations related to the misrepresentation of a product’s country of origin totaled 29.5 billion won (approximately $20.81 million) in the first quarter of the year. An overwhelming 97% of these fraudulent shipments were bound for the United States, the report said.
Authorities say exporters are exploiting South Korea’s free trade agreement with the U.S. to disguise Chinese products as Korean, aiming to take advantage of lower tariffs. The customs office emphasized that it would strengthen surveillance and inspections, particularly in industries vulnerable to such practices, including electronics and textiles.
KCS officials warned that continued violations could jeopardize South Korea’s trade relations and credibility. The agency has vowed to take strict legal actions against businesses involved in falsifying export documentation to ensure compliance with international trade rules.
