A domestic importer who brought in Japanese frozen scallop adductor muscles by falsely labeling them as Thai products has been sent to prosecutors. Charges include origin labeling violations and tariff evasion.
According to the Busan Main Customs of the Korea Customs Service on the 25th, importer A, in his 60s, declared imports as Thai while bringing 26 tons of Japanese frozen scallop adductor muscles (with a market value of 1.1 billion won) into the country over 15 shipments from September last year to April this year. With demand for Japanese seafood declining, the importer exploited the fact that, under the Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), tariffs on Thai seafood are reduced by 20%. As a result, an investigation by the Korea Customs Service found that A evaded 150 million won in tariffs.
The Korea Customs Service sent A to prosecutors on charges including violations of the Customs Act and the Act on Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products.
The Korea Customs Service said it has strengthened safety controls on scallops imported from Southeast Asia, including Thailand, by conducting inspections to verify species and requiring submission of certificates of origin issued by the exporting country's government.