Coupang Fulfillment Service (CFS) will fully compensate sellers affected by the fire at its warehouse in Seongnam-dong, Incheon. The compensation will cover not only inventory lost in the fire zone but also stock stored in areas that were not directly affected, supporting sellers in resuming their operations.
On July 22, CFS stated, "We have decided to proactively provide compensation under our responsibility for sellers who have lost valuable inventory and faced disruptions in their business, even before the fire investigation and insurance processing are completed."
Rocket Growth is a fulfillment service that manages storage, handling, and delivery of products on behalf of individual sellers. CFS will compensate for inventory that was directly lost in the fire, as well as stock that may have been damaged due to delays in removal or dust exposure.
Typically, compensation for fire damage requires verification of inventory, damage assessment, and proof of losses from sellers, which can take considerable time. To prevent further business downturn for sellers, CFS plans to utilize its internal systems to directly tally inventory quantities and minimize the need for complex documentation such as invoices or packaging videos.
Details regarding the compensation amounts and payment dates for each seller will be communicated individually starting mid-August, once inventory counts are completed. A dedicated consultation service for Rocket Growth sellers will also be established to provide one-on-one support for inquiries and damage assessments.
CFS is also continuing its support for nearby residents and schools. On July 20, in collaboration with the Incheon Education Office, CFS delivered 13,500 masks for students and staff to eight elementary schools near the warehouse.
Two temporary shelters in Incheon have been staffed with nursing personnel to assist with residents' health care, and shuttle buses to hospitals and medical expenses will be provided for residents in need of treatment.
A CFS representative expressed, "We apologize for the distress caused to sellers due to this unexpected incident and are committed to supporting them responsibly to prevent any operational difficulties."
The fire began on July 18 at 6:54 a.m. on the sixth floor of Coupang's 32nd logistics center, which has eight stories and a total floor area of 299,000 square meters. Aside from two firefighters who received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation or exhaustion, there were no other casualties. Fire authorities managed to bring the fire under initial control after 61 hours, declaring it fully extinguished on July 20 at 8 p.m., though they remain cautious about declaring complete resolution.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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