When making overseas direct purchases on platforms such as Coupang, Amazon, AliExpress, and Temu, order information will now be directly transmitted to the Korea Customs Service.

Additionally, a one-time authentication code system is being introduced to prevent the theft of personal customs clearance codes.

The Korea Customs Service announced today (August 24) that it will begin a pilot operation of the E-commerce Dedicated Customs Clearance Platform starting on the 28th to strengthen customs management systems for overseas direct purchases and provide related clearance services in one place.

The Korea Customs Service plans to register and manage domestic and international e-commerce companies—including Coupang, AliExpress, Temu, and Amazon—and receive buyers' order information from them in advance.

By preparing import declaration forms and clearance lists tailored to e-commerce characteristics, the agency will compare and verify pre-transaction information against actual declaration details.

The Korea Customs Service expects this to more effectively screen and inspect for low-priced declarations and the distribution of illegal goods.

An official from the Korea Customs Service stated, "Previously, there was a possibility that the information reported through logistics companies differed from the actual transaction details. We will now acquire information closer to actual transactions by receiving transaction data directly from sales portals and comparing it with declaration information."

Companies that faithfully provide transaction information and meet requirements such as buyer identity verification systems will be selected as certified cooperative companies, granting them conveniences in the customs clearance procedure.

When using certified cooperative companies, buyers will not need to directly enter their personal customs clearance codes and one-time authentication numbers.

Under this system, the company provides the buyer's identity verification information to the Korea Customs Service, and the company utilizes the one-time authentication number issued by the customs agency after verification for customs clearance.

The one-time authentication number system will apply to individuals who newly issue personal customs clearance codes or modify issuance details such as addresses after the 28th.

This measure was formulated as cases of damage continue to rise, such as the theft of personal customs clearance codes to evade taxes or exploit them for drug smuggling.

After running a pilot operation of the relevant system for about three months, the Korea Customs Service plans to evaluate each company's performance and fulfillment of requirements to select certified cooperative companies around January of next year.

Lee Jin-hee, Director General for Customs Clearance Bureau at the Korea Customs Service, stated, "We will ensure that the public can safely use overseas direct purchases without worrying about the theft of personal customs clearance codes, and customs offices will continue intensive inspections on high-risk goods such as drugs, firearms, and items with unclear consignee information."