The three-day event will address US tariff policy, EU trade and environmental regulations, and bilateral customs cooperation — drawing more than 500 senior customs officials and trade experts from 10 countries
An international conference focused on responding to US tariff policy, EU trade and environmental regulations, and customs cooperation with major trading partners is set to take place in Seoul.
The Korea Customs Service announced it will hold Korea Customs Week (KCW) 2026 over three days from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4 at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul.
KCW is the Korea Customs Service's flagship event on major customs and trade issues. This year marks its second edition, following the inaugural event in 2023.
▶ Day 1 (Nov. 2): US trade policy changes and corporate responses
Senior officials and working-level staff from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will participate directly as speakers. Given the strong interest among South Korean companies in recent shifts in US tariff policy, the session offers a direct opportunity to hear from CBP — the agency that actually enforces the rules — about US tariff and customs procedures.
CBP will cover three topics of particular interest to Korean businesses: recent US tariff measures and import clearance procedures, enforcement against tariff evasion and verification of import declarations, and quarantine procedures for biotech and agri-food export cargo.
Domestic experts will also take part, presenting practical guidance on how US policy changes affect South Korean exporters and how to manage key customs risks, including supply chain issues and non-preferential rules of origin.
▶ Day 2 (Nov. 3): Improving the customs environment through cooperation
The commissioners of Brazil, Maldives and Fiji, senior representatives from the customs authorities of Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Egypt and Kenya, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) will share case studies on customs administration innovation through AI and data use, as well as experiences in trade facilitation.
Commissioner- and deputy commissioner-level bilateral meetings will also be held to address customs clearance difficulties that South Korean exporters face abroad and to explore avenues for bilateral customs cooperation between countries.
The bilateral meeting with Brazil will focus on Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO MRA) cooperation, with the aim of securing customs facilitation benefits for South Korean companies operating there. With Fiji and Kenya, South Korea will convey its intention to conclude customs mutual assistance agreements and discuss expanding information exchange between customs authorities. Other agenda items include international cooperation on narcotics enforcement with the Philippines and Vietnam, the development of express logistics systems, and cooperation on protecting K-brand intellectual property rights with Egypt.
▶ Day 3 (Nov. 4): EU trade and environmental policy changes and corporate responses
An information session for South Korean exporters to the EU will be held in response to the implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). A representative from the EU Delegation to South Korea will explain the latest developments and key details of the regime, while domestic experts will share what companies need to watch for in the export process and outline response strategies.
A subsequent international rules-of-origin seminar will address the growing importance of non-preferential origin management in the context of anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures. The session will cover relevant systems from South Korea and the EU, origin verification cases, and key compliance points for companies, helping South Korean businesses respond systematically not only to FTA utilization but also to origin issues arising from trade remedy measures.
Korea Customs Service Commissioner Lee Jong-wook said the trade environment facing South Korean exporters is changing rapidly due to recent shifts in US tariff policy and tightening EU environmental regulations. "KCW 2026 will serve as an opportunity for our companies to obtain accurate and practical information directly from foreign customs authorities, while also providing a platform for countries to work together on shared solutions to improve the customs environment for businesses," he said.
Companies wishing to attend KCW 2026 can apply through online pre-registration. Full details on the schedule and program are available on the Korea Customs Service website.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
