On April 23rd, 2026, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Mr. TERAOKA Mitsuhiro, Director General of the Customs and Tariff Bureau at the Ministry of Finance of Japan, and Mr. LEE Myeong-ku, Commissioner of Korea Customs Service met at the 34th Japan-Korea Customs Cooperation Conference.
Following the previous meeting, which was held in Tokyo in May 2024, they discussed a range of issues including the smooth implementation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (“RCEP”), a response to rapidly growing e-commerce consignments, enforcement against goods infringing intellectual property rights, as well as cooperation for effective economic sanctions and confirmed their commitment to continuing a close partnership between the customs authorities of the two countries.
The outcomes of the discussion are summarized in the “AGREED MINUTES OF MEETING.”
AGREED MINUTES OF MEETING
The 34th Customs Heads’ Meeting between
the Customs and Tariff Bureau at the Ministry of Finance of Japan and
the Korea Customs Service of the Republic of Korea
Mr. TERAOKA Mitsuhiro, Director General of the Customs and Tariff Bureau at the Ministry of Finance of Japan and Mr. LEE Myeong-ku, Commissioner of Korea Customs Service met at the 34th Japan-Korea Customs Cooperation Conference on April 23, 2026, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Following the previous meeting, which was held in Tokyo in May 2024, they discussed a range of issues including the smooth implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (“RCEP”), a response to rapidly growing e-commerce consignments, enforcement against goods infringing intellectual property rights, as well as cooperation for effective economic sanctions and confirmed their commitment to continuing a close partnership between the customs authorities of the two countries.
1. Both customs authorities decided to engage in technical dialogue under the RCEP Working Group to explore the feasibility of developing electronic systems for structured data exchange of Certificates of Origin under the RCEP, with the aim of further enhancing the efficient and effective implementation of the Agreement between the two countries.
2. Both customs authorities reaffirmed that regular dialogue is beneficial in addressing the common challenges posed by the substantially increasing volume of cross-border e-commerce consignments. In this context, they decided to continue cooperation to ensure the proper and smooth implementation of the “Simplified Customs Clearance for Small Sea Cargo” system. Furthermore, they welcomed the continued information sharing as for each other’s policy and regulatory reforms, institutional arrangements, their implementation status, and the use of cutting-edge technology, and decided to strengthen their collaboration.
3. Both customs authorities recognised the importance of cooperation, including enhanced information exchange, to strengthen enforcement against increasing goods infringing intellectual property rights. They decided to exchange views on related topics including regulations and practices, through annual working-level meetings.
4. Both customs authorities confirmed their commitment to further strengthening coordination to enhance the effective implementation of economic sanctions.
5. Both customs authorities decided to continue proactive cooperation between the regional customs of each side and welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Kobe Customs and Incheon Regional Customs, scheduled for May 2026.
6. Both customs authorities confirmed to continue active information exchange based on the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Korea regarding Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters to prevent smuggling of goods including illicit drugs and gold.
Both customs authorities recognised each other as an important partner in facilitating secure and smooth international trade and confirmed their commitment to further strengthening their close cooperation.