On July 3, the Incheon International Airport Customs announced that it had apprehended a group involved in the illegal import and distribution of 69,000 counterfeit air purifier filters valued at approximately 7 billion won.
The customs agency arrested the ringleader, identified as A, on May 19 for violating customs and trademark laws, and has issued a wanted notice for B, a supplier currently residing in China. Three accomplices involved in domestic online distribution were also sent for prosecution without detention. A and others are scheduled to stand trial on May 27.
Investigations revealed that the group imported counterfeit air purifier filters in unmarked packaging to evade customs inspections. They disguised the products as personal items or commercial samples under various individual and business names, later repackaging them in counterfeit branded boxes at domestic warehouses, a method known as 'box swapping.'
The counterfeit filters were marketed online as genuine products, priced at 80-90% of the original to avoid raising consumer suspicion. To counteract potential crackdowns or platform sanctions, they registered multiple seller accounts, continuing sales through new accounts if some were blocked.
Notably, harmful substances were detected in some of the products. The Incheon International Airport Customs sent ten models from five counterfeit brands to the Korea Testing Laboratory for safety evaluations.
The tests revealed the presence of chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), both banned harmful substances that can irritate the respiratory system, skin, and eyes upon exposure.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment classified the air purifier filters containing these harmful substances as non-compliant with safety standards, leading to administrative actions including import and sales bans and recall orders. Distribution halting measures have also been completed.
The government has requested online platforms to inform consumers who purchased these products about how to cease use, dispose of them, and return them. Efforts to recall the non-compliant products through sellers will continue.
Counterfeit filters closely resemble genuine ones, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between them. When sold at prices similar to authentic products on open markets, it becomes challenging to determine authenticity based solely on price. Therefore, verifying the seller's information and product certification is crucial.
The Customs Service and the Ministry of Climate plan to enhance safety monitoring for air purifier filters and other household chemical products. A Customs Service official stated, "The smuggling and distribution of counterfeit goods not only infringe on legitimate rights but also pose serious threats to consumer safety and health. We urge the public to report any illegal activities they encounter."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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