Korea Customs Week to Boost Customs-to-Customs Partnership in Trade Facilitation and Security

A poster to promote Korea Customs Week 2023, taking place at the Shilla Hotel Seoul from April 26 to 28.

About 600 people, including customs heads from 80 countries and officials from UN, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and other international bodies, are expected to assemble for Korea Customs Week 2023, taking place at Shilla Hotel Seoul from April 26 to 28.

The event will be held under the theme “Global Customs Cooperation and Digital Customs.”

In his pre-event welcoming message, posted on the website of the event, KCS Commissioner Yoon Tae-sik said, “Amid the unprecedented challenges facing the global economy driven by the COVID-19 pandemic including increasing uncertainty, high inflation and the threat of recession, customs-to-customs partnership is growing ever more important to trade facilitation and security.”

“Against this backdrop, this event aims to bring together the top decision-makers of the global customs authorities, international organizations and different stakeholders to share best practices and discuss the issues of shared interests such as e-commerce, disruptive technologies and customs information exchange,” he said.

Attendees, including KCS Commissioner Yoon Tae-sik, gesture at a ceremony to inaugurate a preparatory team for Korea Customs Week 2023 at the Government Complex in Daejeon on Feb. 6. (Photos: KCS)

KCS Commissioner Yoon said, “The event is designed to foster international customs collaboration featuring expert seminars where the participants can exchange views and best practices on the cutting-edge issues as well as bilateral and multilateral talks between/among the customs heads to discuss global issues and national policies and experiences. Furthermore, participants are invited to the exhibition of customs innovative technologies and other interesting programs.”

The Customs Leaders’ Roundtable, to be held on April 26, will provide a platform for customs leaders from all over the world to consult about their major policy issues and to discuss how to get rid of non-tariff barriers and strengthen global customs cooperation.

The Korea Customs Week 2023 will feature eight seminars, which will bring together customs leaders from all over the world, officials of international organizations, professionals involved in the customs industry and experts from home and abroad to share the latest global customs trends.

The Customs Technology Exhibition will take place from April 26 to 27 at the Shilla Hotel Seoul (2nd Floor Lobby & Dynasty 3).

A promotional booth will be run throughout this year’s Korea Customs Week to showcase customs administration related equipment and companies and to promote Korea’s customs administration actively incorporating new technology.

Among participating exhibitors will be companies specializing in customs administration-related equipment and systems, such as cargo inspection, body inspections, electronic customs clearance systems (Uni-pass), Customs Lab, smart logistics for airports, and more.

They will get a unique opportunity to promote their products and technology to the global customs officials attending the Korea Customs Week 2023, and may also have an opportunity to give a presentation at technical seminars if necessary.