India and South Korea have agreed to strengthen customs cooperation and improve trade facilitation. The two sides discussed customs-related challenges faced by Korean companies in India and explored cooperation through training programmes.
India and South Korea have agreed to strengthen cooperation in customs affairs and facilitate smoother trade between the two countries. The development follows a meeting between officials of South Korea’s Korea Customs Service (KCS) and India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in New Delhi.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, focused on improving customs procedures and addressing challenges faced by South Korean companies operating in India. The KCS also requested greater support from Indian authorities to ensure smoother customs clearance for Korean businesses involved in exports to the Indian market.
During the discussions, South Korean officials shared cases involving customs-related difficulties experienced by Korean firms in India. Both sides also discussed broader bilateral cooperation, including potential training programmes to strengthen the capabilities of customs officials and improve coordination between the two agencies.
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Han Min, Director General for International Affairs at the KCS, said India is an important partner for South Korea in the Asia-Pacific region. He noted that both countries intend to strengthen cooperation to address hurdles faced by South Korean companies seeking to export to India.
Improved customs coordination could help reduce delays in cross-border trade and make import and export procedures more efficient for businesses. Greater cooperation between customs authorities can also support better information sharing and help companies understand regulatory requirements in both markets.
India and South Korea have developed strong economic ties, with businesses from both countries active across sectors such as automobiles, electronics, technology, chemicals and manufacturing. Efficient customs procedures are therefore important for supporting supply chains and facilitating the movement of goods between the two markets.
The latest discussions also highlight the growing importance of institutional cooperation alongside broader economic engagement. Regular interaction between customs agencies can help address operational issues faced by businesses and improve the overall trade environment.
The KCS has also been expanding international cooperation on issues related to customs enforcement and cross-border crime. In a recent Asia-Pacific operation involving 18 other countries, Korean customs authorities seized 2.1 tonnes of illegal drugs across 785 cases between May and June.
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The agency said it plans to strengthen cooperation with international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Interpol.
For India and South Korea, closer customs cooperation could support more efficient trade while creating stronger institutional mechanisms for addressing business concerns. The two sides are expected to continue working together on customs facilitation, capacity building and other areas of mutual interest.