On the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the China South Korea Free Trade Agreement, Guangzhou Customs District has benefited approximately 90 billion yuan worth of exported goods

The picture shows customs officers conducting research and preaching on the policies of the China Korea Free Trade Agreement in motorcycle export enterprises. Photo by Guan Yue

Since the official entry into force of the China Korea Free Trade Agreement on December 20, 2015, driven by policies such as tariff reduction and clearance convenience, import and export enterprises in the Guangzhou Customs Zone have deeply enjoyed the benefits of origin policies, and the competitiveness of Chinese made products in the Korean market has continued to rise. According to statistics, over the past decade, Guangzhou Customs has issued more than 390000 certificates of origin under the China Korea Free Trade Agreement (referred to as "China Korea Certificates of Origin") to enterprises, with a total value of approximately 90 billion yuan in goods eligible for preferential visas. Among them, 26000 certificates will be issued in 2025, with a total value of approximately 7 billion yuan in visa benefits, benefiting more than 1300 enterprises.

The cost advantage brought by tariff reduction has become an important help for Guangdong enterprises to explore the Korean market, with equipment manufacturing enterprises benefiting first. Guangzhou Jinzhong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., located in Huadu District, Guangzhou, is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the research and development, production, and sales of automotive exterior decorative parts. Its products such as car wheel hub covers and car logos are mainly exported to countries such as South Korea and Mexico.

On January 7th, a batch of 240000 yuan worth of exported car wheel hub covers from Guangzhou Jinzhong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. were successfully sent to South Korea after customs supervision and release. Thanks to the certificate of origin between China and South Korea, this batch of goods enjoys a tariff preference of 10600 yuan. Since the implementation of the China Korea Free Trade Agreement, South Korea has lowered its tariffs on imported automotive parts from China year by year. Currently, the tariff rate for our exported automotive wheel hub covers and other products in South Korea has dropped to 3.6%, "said Qin Xiaojing, the head of the company's business department.

In addition to the field of equipment manufacturing, light industry enterprises have also achieved market breakthroughs through policy dividends, with the home appliance industry showing particularly outstanding performance. Foshan Midea Carrier Refrigeration Equipment Co., Ltd. is a large-scale air conditioning production enterprise that has been continuously expanding into overseas markets such as South Korea in recent years. With the certificate of origin issued by the customs for China and South Korea, our air conditioning products can enjoy an agreement tax rate reduction of 8% lower than the normal tax rate when cleared in South Korea. In 2025, the value of our air conditioning products exported to South Korea will increase by about 37.8% year-on-year, and our market share will further expand, "said Wei Mojiang, the document manager of the company.

In the field of food light industry, enterprises also benefit significantly. Chen Mingzhao, the customs clearance manager of Foshan Gaoming Jinjie Import and Export Co., Ltd., stated that with the China Korea Certificate of Origin issued by the customs, the company can enjoy an 8% tariff reduction on cotton candy exported to South Korea. In 2025, the export volume will increase by 1.2 times year-on-year, successfully opening up a new market situation.

To help foreign trade enterprises in the customs area seize market opportunities, Guangzhou Customs takes precise assistance as the starting point, actively contacts key enterprises, and comprehensively promotes the origin policy through joint foreign trade policy lectures and "one-on-one" assistance with local governments; Deeply interpret the rules of origin, certificate filling standards, and other related content; Vigorously promoting measures such as "intelligent auditing" and "self-service printing" to facilitate enterprises, enabling them to complete the entire process of applying for certificates of origin without leaving their homes, and helping more than 1000 enterprises successfully enjoy tariff dividends. (Guan Yue/Text)