Korea, India agree to strengthen customs cooperation, facilitate trade

Seoul: South Korea and India have agreed to strengthen cooperation in customs affairs and facilitate smoother trade between the two countries, South Korea’s Korea Customs Service (KCS) said Wednesday.

The KCS said its officials met with counterparts from India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Korean side requested Indian authorities to support smooth customs clearance for Korean companies operating in the country.

The KCS also shared cases involving Korean businesses in India that have experienced difficulties related to customs procedures. The two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, including through customs training programs.

“With India being a major partner in the Asia-Pacific region, the two countries intend to bolster cooperation down the road to address hurdles faced by Korean firms seeking to export to India,” Han Min, director general for international affairs at the KCS, said in a statement.

The agreement is expected to help reduce customs-related obstacles for businesses and contribute to more efficient trade between South Korea and India.