Ahead of U.S. Tariff Surge, KOTRA Holds Customs Practice Seminar for SMEs

Seminar Held on U.S. Trade Policy Response and Customs Practices

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on the 17th that it held a "U.S. Trade Policy Response and Customs Practice Seminar" on the 16th at its headquarters in Yeomgok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, together with the Korea Customs Service and the Korea Origin Information Agency.

This seminar was organized in preparation for the 25% reciprocal tariffs that the United States is scheduled to impose on Korea starting August 1. A total of 265 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies attended the event, demonstrating high interest.

Exterior view of the headquarters of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Yeomgok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. KOTRA

Since February, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA have been operating a pan-government integrated consultation center, "Customs Response 119," to address U.S. trade measures, and had conducted 5,618 consultations as of the 15th. In addition, from February to April, they held 12 on-site customs seminars for SMEs and mid-sized companies by region and industry. Through 47 in-person seminars in the first half of the year, they provided information on responding to U.S. tariffs to 5,688 participants.

Customs experts from the Korea Customs Service and the Korea Origin Information Agency participated as speakers at the seminar. Each agency's speakers provided practical information, including the latest trends in U.S. customs policy, criteria and case studies for origin determination, and how to utilize advance classification rulings from U.S. Customs, to help exporting companies gain tangible assistance.

Kang Kyungseong, President of KOTRA, stated, "As the U.S. country-specific reciprocal tariff measures, which had been deferred, are now being resumed, it has become more important than ever for our export companies to establish response strategies." He added, "We will faithfully fulfill our role as an economic security guardian by providing prompt and accurate information in cooperation with relevant agencies."