Reported 10 months ago
Chinese e-commerce is rapidly penetrating the South Korean market by exploiting the provision that allows for duty-free parcels under $150 to be shipped from China at low prices, avoiding costs such as tariffs, import certifications, and registration of import enterprises, posing a serious threat to South Korean e-commerce. Despite harmful substances being found in goods purchased directly from China, the incredibly low prices continue to attract many South Koreans. Companies like AliExpress are investing heavily in South Korea, causing local e-commerce enterprises like Gmarket and smaller businesses to suffer. Amid difficulties in regulation, unfair competition is escalating, impacting the local economy. Concerns regarding the safety of Chinese products persist, with many failing quality checks, especially products intended for children, despite South Korean consumers being enticed by the affordability. The South Korean government's attempts to establish safety certification requirements for certain products, initially met with consumer opposition, were retracted, leading to safety checks being conducted by various government agencies and restrictions placed on e-commerce platforms to prevent the sale of harmful products. However, the limited number of customs officials inspecting foreign purchases highlights the challenges faced in ensuring product safety, demanding further measures to address the influx of potentially hazardous items entering South Korea. Citizens seem more inclined to prioritize price over quality due to inflation, prompting the government to intensify regulations to safeguard consumers.
Source: YAHOO