WTO Quantitative Restrictions

Korea, Republic of #4524 (v.6)

Base data

Notified in
Version validity
23/10/2020 - present
Current active version v.6
Reporting member
Korea, Republic of
In force from
End date
Terminated on
General description
Temporary export restriction
National legal basis
Notification of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety No.2020-86 http://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000192876 (15 Sep, 2020) (in Korean)


Notification of Ministry of Trade Industry and Energy No. 2020-128 (06. Aug. 2020) http://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000191802 (in Korean)
Administrative mechanism
Administration: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the relevant measure has been adopted with a view to preventing a critical shortage of surgical masks and filtering respirators in Korea. Filtering respirator, surgical mask and anti-droplet mask producers and those who have concluded contracts with the producers for the purpose of exportation are allowed to export filtering respirators on the condition that their monthly export volume does not exceed 50% of the monthly average production volume of the domestic filtering respirators in the last two months. This measure is in effect from 15 Sep. 2020 . Overseas shipments for humanitarian purposes may be exported after consulting with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and obtaining approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Producers and those who have concluded contracts with the producers for the purpose of exportation are allowed to export only Melt Blown filters for filtering respirators on the condition that their monthly export volume does not exceed 15% of the monthly average production volume of the Melt Blown filters in the last two months.

A producer who wants to export Melt Blown filters for filtering respirators in excees of the allowable amount must obtain prior approval from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy according to the relevant regulation.

Melt Blown filters for Surgical masks and SMS filters are prohibited from being exported.

This measure will remain in effect from 06. Aug. 2020 to 05. Jan. 2021
Responsible entities
HS version
HS 2017
Referenced WTO document symbol

Meta data

WTO justifications

XI:2(a) - (a) Export prohibitions or restrictions temporarily applied to prevent or relieve critical shortages of foodstuffs or other products essential to the exporting contracting party;

GATT 1994 (GATT 1947 provisions)

Reported as: Article XI :2(a) of the GATT

XX:(b) - (b) necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health;

GATT 1994 (GATT 1947 provisions)

Reported as: Article XX (b) of the GATT
Non-WTO commitments
Affected partners
Non-affected partners

Measures

Reported restrictions
CP-X
Symbol
CP-X

Tariff lines
560311
5603.11-9000
SMS filters(Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond filters)
560312
5603.12-9000
Melt Blown filters
560391
5603.91-0000
SMS filters(Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond filters)
560392
5603.92-0000
Melt Blown filters
630790
6307.90-9000
Filtering respirators; In accordance with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Public Notice 『Desig...