Import Restrictions on South Korean Products Total 241 Cases in First Half, Up 11 From Late Last Year

Amid the spread of protectionism, import restriction measures against South Korean products increased in the first half of this year compared to the second half of last year.

According to the report titled "Trends and Outlook of Import Restrictions Against South Korea in the First Half of 2026" released by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) on September 26, 26 countries had implemented import restriction measures—such as anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguards—against South Korean exports as of the end of June, bringing the total number of restrictions to 241.

The number of restriction cases increased by 11 from the second half of last year (230 cases).

While 14 existing import restriction measures expired in the first half of this year, the total number increased as 25 new investigations were initiated.

By country for new investigations, India led with 6 cases, followed by Madagascar with 4 cases, and Japan, the United States, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and South Africa with 2 cases each.

By product category, new investigations were launched into 7 cases each of steel and metals, and chemicals, along with 3 cases of plastics and rubber, and 8 cases in other categories.

Reflecting both new investigations and the expiration of existing measures, the total number of restrictions in the first half by country was highest in the United States (54 cases), followed by India (28 cases), Turkey (27 cases), Madagascar (14 cases), Canada (14 cases), and China (13 cases).

While the total number of restrictions for the United States, Canada, and China remained unchanged compared to the second half of last year, India and Madagascar each increased by 4 cases, and Turkey by 1 case.

By type, there were 166 anti-dumping cases, 53 safeguard cases, 13 countervailing duty cases, and 9 circumvention cases.

By product category, steel and metals accounted for 113 cases or 46.9%, followed by chemicals with 37 cases (15.4%), and plastics and rubber with 35 cases (14.5%).

The report analyzed that as protectionism spreads centered around countries like the United States, import restrictions by other nations are also expanding.

The report explained, "Amid the strengthening of trade remedy utilization by various countries due to tariff measures by the second U.S. administration under Donald Trump, the number of newly initiated import restriction investigations against South Korea has also continued to expand, rising from 10 cases in the first half of last year to 23 cases in the second half, and 25 cases in the first half of this year."

It added, "Following the imposition of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum products, import restriction investigations into related items have continued, and regulations are also spreading as the EU and the UK replace and strengthen existing safeguards."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.