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South Korea eCommerce Certification System

The ease of cross-border eCommerce sales to Korea has led to a surge in purchases from platforms like Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon. Consequently, Korean regulators considered taking steps to slow the flow by initially announcing, then quickly retracting, a regulation to ban 80 types of items without Korea Certification (KC) mark in May 2024. KC mark, regulated by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, ensures that imported products meet local safety and quality standards. Despite the government’s well-intentioned efforts to ensure product safety, the regulation was retracted after three days due to significant pushback from businesses and consumers who argued that it infringed on consumer rights and affordability. Other concerns included the lengthy approval process and high costs for international sellers, particularly small and medium-sized international enterprises.

The South Korean authorities are now reevaluating the KC system to better accommodate the rapid growth of cross-border eCommerce, driven by the rising purchasing power of Korean consumers and their increasing demand for a wide range of overseas consumer goods. The proposed changes aim to streamline certification requirements and enhance communication between regulators and international businesses, making it easier for U.S. exporters of consumer products to access this dynamic market. U.S. exporters of consumer products should stay informed about these evolving regulations to take full advantage of the opportunities in Korea’s booming eCommerce sector.

To harness the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) broad export counseling resources to access the fast-growing Korean eCommerce opportunity, ITA has formed a strategic partnership with Coupang, Korea’s largest eCommerce platform, to leverage Coupang’s eCommerce and logistical infrastructure. Connect with your local U.S. Export Assistance Center in the United States to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

For more information contact the U.S. Commercia Service in Korea: You Jin Oh, Commercial Assistant, YouJin.Oh@trade.gov

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