The agency announced the steps on the 7th at a ministerial task force meeting on special management of consumer prices, releasing an “inspection and improvement plan for import clearance of items affected by the Middle East war.”
According to the Korea Customs Service, total crude oil imports in March and April fell to 130 million barrels this year from 150 million barrels a year earlier, down 8.5 percentage points. Imports from the Middle East dropped by 25.29 million barrels, while non-Middle East imports fell by 4.30 million barrels. The average unit price rose to $92 a barrel from $79 a year earlier, up 16.2%.
Imports of Middle East-sourced liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas butane also plunged, down 12.7% and 47.8%, respectively.
Key industrial inputs beyond energy also showed shifts. Total naphtha imports fell 25.2%, while sourcing diversified to the United States, Greece and India. Helium imports from Qatar dropped 45.5%, while shipments from the United States increased 49.9%.
With energy and raw-material supply chains under strain, the customs service said it is operating an emergency response task force tied to the Middle East war to stabilize supplies and provide urgent tariff and logistics support. To ease bottlenecks at the import stage, it said it is helping rush-demand items clear customs before unloading so they can be deployed to industrial sites immediately upon arrival.
The agency also said it is supporting supply measures by banning hoarding, designating certain emergency supply-demand adjustment items for penalties on delayed import declarations, and tightening customs screening for export-restricted goods. It is also analyzing import unit prices weekly for seven items, including crude oil and naphtha, and sharing detailed information with relevant ministries.
To limit damage to companies trading with the Middle East, the customs service said it will minimize administrative fines, actively approve extensions of storage periods for unshipped cargo, and waive error points for corrections or withdrawals of export declarations. For companies using detours around the Strait of Hormuz or alternative transport, it said higher freight costs will be excluded from the customs value used for duties. It also said it will support Middle East importers with delivery extensions and installment payments.
Until the Middle East war ends, the customs service said it will temporarily simplify import clearance and unloading procedures for supply-demand management items. For raw materials procured overseas, it will work with relevant ministries to allow required import documents to be submitted after customs clearance. To prevent supply delays caused by late arrivals or unloading of crude oil and LNG carriers, it will exclude them from vessel search designation and waive reporting requirements for moving to anchorage or mooring locations within ports.
To diversify supply chains, the agency said it will identify additional systems and items eligible for special support under free trade agreements and work to resolve difficulties in import procedures. It said it will seek to shorten the time required to issue certificates of origin for Malaysian crude oil, which it said takes longer than in other countries. It also said it will review import support measures for some Australian condensate that can be used as a substitute feedstock for naphtha.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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