The number of customs crackdowns on the illegal overseas smuggling of obesity treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro has surged.

In particular, attempts to smuggle these products by abusing international mail, including personal direct purchases through overseas websites, appear to be increasing significantly.

According to the Korea Customs Service today (the 24th), the number of detected illegal imports of obesity treatments like Mounjaro and Wegovy reached 4,155 cases from January to June of this year.

This scale amounts to 3.5 times last year's total annual detections of 1,189 cases.

Following the domestic launch of Wegovy and Mounjaro, the number of illegal import detections has been growing rapidly.

After rising from 4 cases in 2024 to 1,189 cases last year, the number exceeded 4,000 cases in the first half of this year alone.

The cumulative total from 2024 to the first half of this year stands at 5,348 cases.

During the same period, the number of officially cleared imports through legitimate importers remained at a mere 596 cases.

This breaks down to 14 cases in 2024, 191 cases in 2025, and 391 cases in the first half of this year.

Illegal imports are predominantly carried out via mail.

Detections via mail increased from 2 cases in 2024 to 1,046 cases last year, and soared to 3,489 cases in the first half of this year.

This accounts for 84.8% of the cumulative detections.

This is interpreted as the result of a massive surge in "direct overseas purchase" attempts, where individuals buy obesity treatments separately from overseas sales websites and have them shipped via international mail.

Imports through travelers' personal baggage also showed an upward trend, moving from 1 case in 2024 and 134 cases in 2025 to 656 cases in the first half of this year.

Imports using express cargo were recorded at 1 case, 9 cases, and 10 cases, respectively.

According to the Korea Customs Service's Notification on Import Customs Clearance Procedures, general medications are permitted to be brought into the country for personal use within a certain quantity (up to 6 bottles or a 3-month supply).

However, Mounjaro and Wegovy are designated as "harmful pharmaceuticals" by the Minister of Food and Drug Safety, and cannot be brought in without a recommendation exempting the verification of import requirements.

The Korea Customs Service blocks the importation of harmful pharmaceuticals notified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, including Mounjaro and Wegovy, regardless of the quantity.

These obesity treatments detected at the customs clearance stage are placed on hold and entirely discarded.

An official from the Korea Customs Service stated, "The unauthorized import of Wegovy and Mounjaro is a serious illegal act punishable under the Customs Act," adding, "We will thoroughly block the illegal influx of harmful pharmaceuticals at the border stage."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)