Import from Thailand to Korea: AKFTA and RCEP Duty (2026)
Korea and Thailand are covered by two agreements: the ASEAN-Korea FTA and RCEP. Both can apply to the same shipment, and Korean importers are free to claim whichever gives the better outcome on each tariff line.
The two preferential routes
| Agreement | Origin proof | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AKFTA | Form AK issued by Thai DFT | Long-standing industrial and consumer lines with deep tariff cuts | Sensitive and highly sensitive tracks retain duty |
| RCEP | RCEP certificate of origin or approved exporter declaration | Goods using Chinese, Japanese or Korean inputs | Regional value content often easier to satisfy |
Where AKFTA lists a product in a sensitive track, RCEP sometimes gives a better staged rate - and vice versa. Compare both before ordering, per 10-digit HSK line.
How to decide
- Get the exact HSK code from your customs broker or a KCS advance ruling.
- Compare the MFN rate, the AKFTA rate and the RCEP rate for that line. If MFN is already 0%, skip the certificate entirely.
- Test the origin rule. AKFTA commonly uses a regional value content of 40% or a change of tariff heading; RCEP has its own product-specific rules that are frequently more generous on regionally sourced inputs.
- Confirm the Thai exporter can actually issue the form you need. Not every Thai factory is registered for RCEP self-certification.
Worked comparison
Thai-made plastic household article, HSK 3924:
| Basis | Duty | Cost on a KRW 80,000,000 CIF shipment |
|---|---|---|
| MFN | 8% | 6,400,000 |
| AKFTA | 0% | 0 |
| RCEP | 0-4% staged | 0-3,200,000 |
The certificate of origin costs the exporter a few hundred baht. It is the highest-return document in the transaction.
FTA verification - the Korean specific risk
Korea Customs Service runs active post-clearance FTA verification. If the origin claim cannot be substantiated by the Thai exporter's records, the duty plus penalty falls on you as the Korean importer, not on the factory.
Protect yourself by:
- Keeping the bill of materials and origin calculation on file, not just the certificate
- Requiring the exporter to retain supporting records for five years in writing in the purchase contract
- Using an advance ruling for high-volume lines
- Avoiding third-country invoicing arrangements unless the CO properly reflects them
VAT is separate
Korean VAT of 10% is charged at import on dutiable value plus duty, and recovered on your VAT return. Duty is the real cost; VAT is a cash-flow item. Monthly or deferred payment arrangements are available to importers with good standing.
How we work
We hold the Thai supplier relationship, arrange the origin documentation with the Thai Department of Foreign Trade, and quote a landed cost you approve before production - our margin sits inside that number.
Related: Korea customs clearance guide, KC mark and certification.
FAQ
Is there a free trade agreement between Thailand and Korea? There is no bilateral FTA, but AKFTA (ASEAN-Korea) and RCEP both cover Thailand-Korea trade and give preferential duty on most lines.
What is Form AK? The AKFTA certificate of origin, issued by Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade, which the Korean importer uses to claim preferential duty.
Can I use AKFTA and RCEP at the same time? Not on the same tariff line for the same shipment, but you may choose the better of the two per line.
Who is liable if an origin claim fails verification? The Korean importer of record. That is why keeping the exporter's origin calculation on file matters as much as holding the certificate.
Do I need a certificate if the MFN duty is zero? No. Skip it and save the lead time.