Source: http://www.moleg.go.kr/english/notice?pageIndex=9
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 02:36:20+00:00

Document:
Some of the main points of the revised Customs Act, as amended on December 19, 2002: 1. Purpose of revision: As a condition to entry into the WTO, China agreed to allow WTO member states to take provisional emergency steps to restrict certain imports from China. So, the revisions are intended to provide a legal basis for Korea to impose emergency tariffs on certain products imported from China and other countries. Also, in preparation for the launch of e-government systems, regulations on electronic delivery of official documents and the designation of operators for electronic document relay business have been arranged. In addition, some improvements were made in the existing regulations. For example, procedures concerning the return of excessive personal items brought in by travelers have been tightened to discourage them from bringing home large numbers of personal items. At the same time, more items have been added to the list of imported goods that are exempt from customs duties. 2. Major contents of revision: a. Emergency tariff could be imposed (a) if a surge in the import of specific goods were to cause material injury or have caused material injury to the domestic industry, or (b) if Korea's import surges as a result of a WTO member state's actions against specific goods to redress the material injury or prevent the material injury of its domestic industry. (Section 2 newly added to Art. 67) b. The following goods are newly added to the list of imported goods exempt from customs duties; items brought in by participants in international competitions, goods imported for construction, maintenance or decoration of national cemeteries, personal items of the legal receiver of the inheritance from an inheritor who is a local resident. (Paragraph 2, and Paragraphs 17 and 18 added to Art. 93) c. Personal belongings of travelers prescribed by the Commissioner of the Korean Customs Service shall be returned in the manner and during the period designated by the Commissioner of the Korean Customs Service. (Section 3 of Art. 241 and Section 1 of Art. 243 newly added) d. The Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service shall compile customs statistics including specific statistical information related with customs clearance. The commissioner must allow the inspection of such information or copies of such information to anyone who wants them, except in cases prescribed by Presidential Decrees. (Art. 322) e. The Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service can deliver documents electronically using data-processing facilities and equipment. Electronic delivery is regarded as complete when the requested documents have been input into the computer designated by the person who required the information. Electronic delivery is conducted when the person who requested the documents requests they be delivered electronically. (Sections 1, 3, 4 through 6 of Art. 327 newly added) f. Those who want to operate electronic documents relay business, including declarations using data processing facilities, are required to be designated as an electronic document relay business operator. (Section 2 of Art. 327 newly added.) 3. Effective date: These revisions shall become effective from January 1, 2003. ※ These translations have been prepared for proper understanding of the Korean Legal System by English-speaking readers. It is not an official translation by the Korean Government, and should be of reference only.

References: Art. 67
 Art. 93
 Art. 241
 Art. 243
 Art. 327
 Art. 327