Trade Laws
This page lists the acts and subordinate regulations that govern trade and customs. Click a title to open its English translation on the Korean Law Information Center in a new window. English translations are for reference only and may not reflect the latest amendments; titles marked (Korean) have no English translation and open the Korean text.
Recently enacted or amended legislation, along with Korea Customs Service notices and directives, is easy to find on the Customs Law Information Portal.
Customs and Trade Acts
The key rules on the imposition and enforcement of customs duties and on trade are set out in the following acts.
- Customs Act
- Licensed Customs Broker Act
- Act on Special Cases concerning Drawback of Customs Duties on Raw Materials for Export
- Act on Special Cases of the Customs Act for the Implementation of Free Trade Agreements
- Foreign Trade Act
- Foreign Exchange Transactions Act
The Korea Customs Service also collects the domestic taxes levied on imported goods.
- Framework Act on National Taxes
- National Tax Collection Act
- Value-Added Tax Act
- Individual Consumption Tax Act
- Education Tax Act
- Traffic, Energy and Environment Tax Act
- Liquor Tax Act
- Act on Special Rural Development Tax
- Act on Restriction on Special Cases concerning Taxation
Other trade-related acts include:
Subordinate Regulations
The details needed to implement each act are set out in Presidential Decrees (Enforcement Decrees) and Ministerial Ordinances (Enforcement Rules).
Subordinate Regulations under the Customs and Trade Acts
| Act | Enforcement DecreePresidential Decree | Enforcement RuleMinisterial Ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Licensed Customs Broker Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Act on Special Cases concerning Drawback of Customs Duties on Raw Materials for Export | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Act on Special Cases of the Customs Act for the Implementation of Free Trade Agreements | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Foreign Trade Act | Enforcement Decree | — |
| Foreign Exchange Transactions Act | Enforcement Decree | — |
| Foreign Investment Promotion Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement RuleOrdinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources |
| Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Unification Ordinance |
The Foreign Trade Act and the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act have no Enforcement Rules; their details are set out in public notices: the Foreign Trade Management Regulations (Korean) (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources) and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Regulations (Korean) (Ministry of Finance and Economy).
Subordinate Regulations under the Domestic Tax Acts
| Act | Enforcement DecreePresidential Decree | Enforcement RuleMinisterial Ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Framework Act on National Taxes | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| National Tax Collection Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Value-Added Tax Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Individual Consumption Tax Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Education Tax Act | Enforcement Decree | — |
| Traffic, Energy and Environment Tax Act | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Liquor Tax Act | Enforcement Decree (Korean) | Enforcement Rule (Korean)Ministry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
| Act on Special Rural Development Tax | Enforcement Decree | — |
| Act on Restriction on Special Cases concerning Taxation | Enforcement Decree | Enforcement RuleMinistry of Finance and Economy Ordinance |
Legal Information Websites
- Korean Law Information Center (Ministry of Government Legislation)
- Customs Law Information Portal (Korea Customs Service)
- National Assembly
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Email a Quote Request or InquiryLaws and requirements as of October 27, 2026