Customs authorities collect W7.7 billion in overdue tariffs

The Korea Customs Service said on Sunday it collected overdue tariffs worth 7.7 billion won ($6.8 million) in cash including 1 billion won from a single person after a special inspection on tax delinquents.

The KCS also seized about 900 million won worth of deposits, property and golf club memberships from 39 tariff delinquents, and said the assets will be liquidated if the overdue taxes are not paid.

Two delinquents who failed to pay 400 million won and 700 million won each in tariffs were prohibited from leaving the country, the KCS said.

The total unpaid tariffs currently amount to 335.2 billion won.

The five-week inspection through May 25 was focused on looking into the assets and unpaid taxes of people who have 50 million won or more in arrears as well as delinquents who frequently traveled abroad or stayed overseas for long periods of time.

The customs office, for instance, caught an importer who had 2.5 billion won in unpaid tariffs trying to import ginger worth 2.2 billion won using another company’s name.

The KCS seized the entire 782 tons of ginger in 33 containers and is taking steps to liquidate it.

The KCS pressed charges against another person who had 500 million won in arrears for giving property to his spouse through a fake divorce to avoid taxes. Tax claims of an additional 850 million won were made against him.

The KCS said it will continue monitoring the properties of habitual tariff delinquents to cover unpaid taxes.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)