Gwangju Customs Service

Gwangju Customs Service (Korean: 광주세관; also known as Gwangju Main Customs) is a regional office of the Korea Customs Service, a government agency of South Korea. It was established on June 14, 1980, and is headquartered in Buk-gu, Gwangju. The service is responsible for customs duties, tax assessment and collection, import and export clearance, smuggling control, and related administrative affairs within its jurisdiction, which covers Gwangju Metropolitan City and parts of South Jeolla Province including Naju, Hwasun, Damyang, Gokseong, Jangseong, Yeonggwang, and Muan International Airport. The head of the office is a senior civil servant. The organization includes divisions for customs operations, audit, import-export enterprise support, clearance support, tax review, investigation, and passenger baggage. It oversees several subordinate customs offices and business centers. As a government entity, it does not operate for profit but serves to facilitate legitimate trade and enforce customs laws.

The Gwangju Customs Service was established on June 14, 1980, when the Gwangju Customs Office (광주출장소) was upgraded to Gwangju Main Customs (광주본부세관). However, its roots trace back to earlier customs administration in the region. On July 9, 1949, customs offices were established in Gunsan, Mokpo, Yeosu, and Jeju under the Ministry of Finance. A Gwangju Surveillance Office (광주감시서) was established under Mokpo Customs on January 25, 1957. On August 20, 1964, the Gwangju Surveillance Office was reorganized into the Gwangju Customs Office. On August 3, 1970, it was transferred to the Korea Customs Service. On June 14, 1980, the Gwangju Customs Office was elevated to Gwangju Main Customs. The office moved to Ssangchon-dong on August 31, 1981, and to the Government Gwangju Joint Provincial Government Building on December 27, 2008. Over the years, its jurisdiction and organizational structure evolved, with various sub-offices and surveillance stations being established, reorganized, or abolished. Notable changes include the establishment of Gwangyang Customs Office in 1987, the promotion of Gwangyang Branch to Gwangyang Customs in 2003, and the reorganization of several offices into business centers in 2016. The service continues to operate as a key regional customs authority in South Korea.

• Gwangju Surveillance Office established under Mokpo Customs

• Gwangju Surveillance Office reorganized into Gwangju Customs Office

• Transferred to Korea Customs Service

• Gwangju Customs Office elevated to Gwangju Main Customs

• Moved to Ssangchon-dong

• Gwangyang Branch established

• Gwangyang Branch promoted to Gwangyang Customs

• Moved to Government Gwangju Joint Provincial Government Building

• Several offices reorganized into business centers

Regional government customs authority

1. 1광주세관 - 위키백과ko.wikipedia.org
2. 2Gwangju Customs Service - Wikidatawikidata.org