About FTAs
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)An FTA is an agreement under which the parties remove tariffs and other trade barriers on goods and services, granting trade preferences only to one another. Korea has concluded FTAs with many countries around the world and is working to build a freer, more competitive trading environment.
In day-to-day trade, we often see companies miss out on preferential tariffs because they did not prepare in advance. Drawing on our expertise, we take the necessary steps ahead of time so this does not happen to you.
Korea's FTAs at a GlanceLook Up FTA Import Tariff Rates (Korean)Rules of Origin by FTA (Korean)FTA Texts by Agreement
Stages of Economic Integration
Economic integration is divided into five stages according to how closely the participating countries are tied together. A free trade agreement is the first stage.
- Stage 1Free Trade Agreement
- Stage 2Customs Union
- Stage 3Common Market
- Stage 4Economic Union
- Stage 5Complete Economic Integration
Types and Scope of Free Trade Agreements
Elimination of internal tariffs
Common external tariff
Free movement of
factors of production
Common internal
economic policies
Supranational
institutions
(Stages of economic integration as classified by economist Béla Balassa)
Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Members remove tariffs and other trade restrictions to free up trade among themselves. (Example: the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, formerly NAFTA)
Customs Union
In addition to free trade among members, the members apply the same tariff rates to non-members, aligning their external tariffs. (Example: Mercosur, the Southern Common Market)
Common Market
In addition to customs-union trade policy, factors of production such as labor and capital move freely among members. (Examples: the former European Community, the Central American Common Market)
Economic Union
Members coordinate and jointly pursue all economic policies, including monetary, fiscal and social welfare policies. (Example: the European Union)
Complete Economic Integration
Members give up their individual economic policies, run all economic policy in a single unified system, and establish supranational institutions such as a single parliament.
How to Claim FTA Preferential Tariffs
Before import clearanceApply for the FTA rate
To pay duty at the FTA rate, apply to the head of the customs office for the preferential tariff before your import declaration is accepted. You must have proof of origin, such as a certificate of origin, on hand and submit it if customs requests it.
If you missed itApply later, within one year
If you did not apply before acceptance, you can still apply for the preferential tariff within one year from the date your import declaration was accepted. By filing a request to correct the duty already paid, you get the difference refunded.
After clearanceKeep proof of origin
Importers, exporters and producers must keep proof of origin and related records for the prescribed period of up to five years (or longer, if the agreement requires).
(Articles 8, 9 and 15 of the Act on Special Cases of the Customs Act for the Implementation of Free Trade Agreements)
Tell us the goods and countries involved, and we will advise you on the FTAs that may apply and how to prepare proof of origin.
Email a Quote Request or InquiryLaws and requirements as of October 27, 2026