17.10.2026 Regulation #World #Export #Import #Bans #Statistics
South Korea widens grounds for export and import restrictions from Oct 22
South Korea's cabinet approved amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Trade Act (대외무역법 시행령) on October 13, 2026. The decree puts into effect the changes made to the Act itself on April 21, 2026, and both take effect on October 22, 2026 (Thursday). SBS News confirms the date.
New grounds for restricting trade
Until now, exports and imports could be restricted in cases of war, turmoil, natural disasters, unfair discrimination by a counterpart country, and to maintain international peace, SBS News reports. The amended Act adds four grounds:
- threats to national security;
- protection of personal and corporate information;
- public morals;
- protection of national treasures.
The sources speak of restrictions, not blanket bans. They do not name the goods or destinations that could be affected.
How investigations will work
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (산업통상부) (referred to by SBS as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy), the decree specifies the content and methods of the investigations that precede any restriction. The procedure includes expert consultations and the collection of stakeholder opinions.
The ministry sets further detail in an implementing notice (고시). Financial News identifies it as the "Notice for Implementing Special Measures on Trade Restrictions" (무역에 관한 제한 등 특별조치 시행을 위한 고시), effective the same day. The notice text is not in the open sources, so the criteria and timelines for investigations remain unknown.
Preferential-tariff statistics and support organizations
Another part of the package concerns the use of trade agreements. The decree defines the scope of preferential-tariff statistics that the Korea Customs Service (관세청) may provide to the ministry:
- trade value eligible for preferential tariffs under agreements;
- trade value on which preferences were actually applied;
- the utilization rate of preferential tariffs.
The decree also sets designation requirements for trade agreement utilization support organizations (통상활용지원기관) and grounds for revoking their status. SBS reports that designation can be canceled if an organization repeatedly fails to meet requirements or runs its business unfairly, with a hearing required first. The ministry plans to build a public-private cooperation framework.
What it means for traders
The sources do not say that the decree imposes direct obligations on companies; measures are to be introduced following investigations. For exporters to Korea and importers of Korean goods, the legal framework changes. From October 22, measures can rest on grounds such as data protection or national treasures. The ministry's notice will set the procedure for the investigations that precede measures; the open sources do not name the goods or countries concerned.
Primary sources
- Пресс-релиз Министерства промышленности и торговли РК «「대외무역법 시행령」 개정안 국무회의 의결» (зеркало KDI)
- SBS News: Export, Import of Items Threatening National Security, Info Protection Banned Starting October 22
- 파이낸셜뉴스: 국가안보 위협에도 수출입 제한…대외무역법 시행령 국무회의 의결
- 데일리안: 안보 위협·정보 보호 시 '수출입 제한' 발동…대외무역법 시행령 국무회의 의결
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.