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Insights & Guides

Korean E-commerce Intelligence

Expert analysis, tactical guides, and market insights for brands selling in Korea.

61–72 of 174 articles

Commerce Trends

Is Korean Customs Duty Final Once Your Shipment Clears?

No — Korea uses importer self-assessment, so the Korea Customs Service can reassess duty years after your goods clear and sell, and the shortfall lands on your importer of record.

Kontactic Team10 min read
Commerce Trends

Korea Approves Biocidal Active Substances Before Products

In Korea, a biocidal product can't be approved unless its active substance is on the national list or in the transitional review pipeline — EPA or EU BPR approval doesn't carry over.

Kontactic Team8 min read
Commerce Trends

Is a Children's-Product KC in Korea a One-Time Gate?

Korea's strictest children's-product KC tier, Safety Certification, is a living status maintained through periodic factory audits and product retesting — not a one-time approval. Here is what recurs.

Kontactic Team8 min read
Commerce Trends

Why Your Cosmetic Needs a Korean Label Even If It's Registered

Under Korea's Cosmetics Act, a perfectly registered cosmetic is still illegal to sell without a compliant Korean-language label carrying full ingredient disclosure, the responsible distributor's identity, and named fragrance allergens.

Kontactic Team9 min read
Commerce Trends

"Supports Immunity" on a Korean Food Label: Legal or a Crime?

A "supports immunity" claim that is compliant on a US supplement becomes a criminal-tier violation on a Korean general food — unless your product carries Korea's official Health Functional Food mark. Here is the line.

Kontactic Team10 min read
Commerce Trends

Korea's 2026 KC Downgrade: 5 Appliances Now Need Lighter Certification

As of April 1, 2026, vacuums, washers, microwaves, dryers, and bathroom devices moved to Korea's lighter Safety Confirmation KC tier — and your existing Safety Certification number still counts.

Kontactic Team7 min read
Commerce Trends

Coupang Ship-After-Cancel: Who Pays Return Shipping?

If a customer cancels after you ship, you pay both legs of shipping on Coupang: outbound and return. Here is the exact timing window and how to model the cost.

Kontactic Team9 min read
Commerce Trends

Coupang Coupon API Is Asynchronous: Poll for the Result

Coupang's coupon API doesn't confirm success in the response — it hands back a request ID you must poll to learn whether the coupon actually activated. Here's what that changes.

Kontactic Team7 min read
Commerce Trends

Why You Can't Push Stock Counts to Coupang Rocket Growth

On Coupang Rocket Growth, your sellable quantity is set by what Coupang physically receives at its fulfillment center — there is no "set stock" API call. Here is what that changes for replenishment.

Kontactic Team8 min read
Commerce Trends

Does Korean Importer Registration Cover Every Product You Sell?

Korean importer-of-record registration establishes who can import — but each regulated category like food, cosmetics, or plumbing adds its own separate import license on top.

Kontactic Team9 min read
Commerce Trends

Does the KORUS or Korea–EU FTA Cut Your Import Duty to Zero?

The KORUS and Korea–EU FTAs can cut import duty to zero on qualifying goods — but only if your importer claims it at clearance with valid proof of origin. Here is what that takes.

Kontactic Team9 min read
Commerce Trends

Skin Repellent or Space Biocide? Korea's Body-vs-Space Line

A skin-applied mosquito repellent is a quasi-drug under Korea's MFDS, not a Ministry of Environment biocide. The deciding factor is where the product acts — on the body or on the space.

Kontactic Team9 min read
Kontactic Team

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