Busan Main Customs Office Actively Supports Companies Affected by 'COVID-19'

Listening to Companies' Challenges

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Yoseop] Busan Main Customs has stepped up support for companies affected by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Busan Main Customs announced on the 19th that it recently visited companies to listen to their difficulties and exchanged opinions on various customs administration support measures to minimize damage to export-import companies caused by COVID-19.

The customs office has established the ‘COVID-19 Customs Clearance Support Center’ to monitor the damage situation of companies in real time and is providing full support including rapid customs clearance for raw and subsidiary materials (24-hour clearance support, simplified inspection and review), and management safety support (deadline extension, installment payments).

Company A, which supplies automobile parts (battery in-pack) to Hyundai Motor Company, recently requested cooperation from customs, stating that the raw materials for their products were delayed in shipment from China and they could not meet the delivery deadline. Customs quickly cleared the raw materials, allowing the company to produce products without disruption.

Company B, which depends on China and other countries for more than 90% of its pump materials, recently received a customs investigation notice. This company applied for a customs investigation deferral to urgently procure alternative raw materials, and customs agreed to extend the customs investigation until the damage relief process is completed.

Company C applied for damage relief to Busan Main Customs as the COVID-19 impact caused the suspension of operations at its local factory in China, ultimately worsening the company’s financial condition and making customs payment difficult. In response, customs eased the company’s management burden through unsecured installment payments (6 installments over 10 months).

Companies D and E, which have production factories in China, requested customs assistance to urgently procure 300,000 health masks for employee safety, and customs supported them by enabling smooth delivery through rapid customs clearance.

Companies concerned about or experiencing damage due to ‘disruptions in supply of raw and subsidiary materials from China or export difficulties’ caused by COVID-19 can apply for support at the Busan Main Customs Export-Import Company Support Center.