Starting next year, individuals will be required to renew their Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC) annually.
On the 18th, the Korea Customs Service announced that it will implement a revised version of the "Notice on the Registration and Management of Customs Clearance Codes and Overseas Business Partner Codes," with this change as its main focus.
Personal overseas direct purchase items are piled up at the Incheon Customs Express Logistics Center. The photo is unrelated to the article. / Yeongjongdo=Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@
The PCCC is a code issued by the Korea Customs Service to identify the importer who holds the rights and obligations for goods, such as those purchased through overseas direct purchases, during customs clearance. It is used in place of a resident registration number or foreigner registration number.
The main advantage of the PCCC is that it is used exclusively for customs clearance and can be easily changed, which helps prevent the leakage of resident registration numbers or other personal identifiers to external parties.
However, since the code could be used indefinitely after a single issuance without renewal, it was difficult to reflect the most up-to-date personal information of the importer. For this reason, it was also challenging to promptly detect and respond to cases of identity theft, which has been pointed out as a problem.
The revised notice aims to address these issues. The core of the revision is the introduction of a validity period for the PCCC and the establishment of new functions for suspension and termination of the code by administrative authority. These measures are intended to enhance the effectiveness and security of the PCCC.
The introduction of a validity period means that the PCCC will be valid for one year, requiring users to renew it regularly, thereby ensuring that personal information remains up to date.
From next year, new applicants will be subject to a one-year validity period from the date of issuance. For those who received their PCCC by the end of this year, the code will remain valid until the user's birthday in 2027, at which point a one-year validity period will be applied. Once the validity period expires, individuals must obtain a new PCCC.
Renewal of the PCCC must be completed within 30 days before or after the expiration date. If not renewed within this period, the code will be automatically terminated. If personal information is changed or a new code is issued within the validity period, the validity will be automatically extended for one year from the date of change.
The revised notice also includes provisions allowing the code administrator to suspend the use of a PCCC by administrative authority if there is evidence of misuse. Users will also have the option to voluntarily terminate their PCCC. These measures are intended to prevent fraudulent use of the code and minimize damages caused by unauthorized use.
In addition, the Korea Customs Service emphasized that the revision will require applicants to provide more detailed personal information, such as English name, nationality, and multiple addresses when applying for a PCCC, thereby strengthening the verification process for issuance.
The revised notice will be fully implemented starting next year after improvements to the electronic system. Applications for renewal, information changes, or reissuance of the PCCC can be made through the Korea Customs Service website or by visiting a nearby customs office.
A Korea Customs Service official stated, "Although the revision of the notice may cause some inconvenience to the public, we ask for your understanding and cooperation, as these measures are necessary to properly manage import customs clearance and prevent illegal activities."
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