MOIP, MFDS, and KCS to Conduct Safety Testing on Suspected Counterfeit Cosmetics from Overseas Direct Purchases
21-Jun-2026
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Source : The South Korea’s Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP)
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Visits : 61
- Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), Korea Customs Service (KCS) cooperate to protect the IP rights of K-cosmetics and prevent harm to consumers and companies caused by counterfeit goods -
- Inspections of cosmetics sold on overseas online platforms, including suspected counterfeit cosmetics, to expand from 1,080 cases in 2025 to 1,200 cases in 2026 -
DAEJEON - The South Korea’s Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), led by Minister KIM Yong Sun, announced that it will conduct inspections of cosmetics purchased directly from overseas online platforms in cooperation with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), the Korea Customs Service (KCS), and private-sector partners. The inspections aim to ensure consumer safety and maintain trust in K-brands amid the growing volume of cosmetics purchased directly from overseas platforms, according to the official website of the Ministry.
As overseas direct purchases of cosmetics continue to grow, concerns over consumer exposure to counterfeit products are also increasing. According to KOSIS, the online purchase value of cosmetics through overseas direct purchases rose from KRW 256.6 billion in 2021 to KRW 421.7 billion in 2025. The number of counterfeit K-brand cosmetics blocked on overseas online platforms also increased sharply, from 16,774 cases in 2023 to 36,116 cases in 2025, according to MOIP.
As part of the “Measures to Strengthen the Safety, Quality and Competitiveness of K-Beauty,” announced at the 6th National Policy Coordination Meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on November 27, 2025, the number of inspections overall have been increased suspected counterfeit cosmetics have also been included in the scope of this year’s inspection program. This step aims to protect the IP rights of K-cosmetics, which have gained strong global popularity*, and to prevent harm to both companies and consumers caused by the distribution of counterfeit products. According to the OECD, the global scale of counterfeit goods infringing on the IP rights of Korean companies amounts to USD 9.7 billion, or approximately KRW 11 trillion. Cosmetics account for 10 percent of the value of customs seizures, ranking third after electronics and textiles/apparel.
* Export value of cosmetics (growth rate): USD 8.46 billion in 2023 → USD 10.18 billion in 2024 (+20.3%) → USD 11.43 billion in 2025 (+12.3%)
The number of safety inspections of cosmetics purchased directly from overseas, which MFDS has conducted since 2024*, will increase from 1,080 last year to 1,200 this year. The inspections will be carried out in four stages: ▲ information collection, ▲ product purchase, ▲ testing and assessment, and ▲ follow-up measures. The inspection program will be implemented through cooperation between the government and private-sector organizations, including the Korea Cosmetic Association (KCA), the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (KOIPA), the Trade-Related IPR Protection Association (TIPA), and KATRI Testing & Research Institute.
* Status of overseas direct purchase testing: 110 cases in 2024 → 1,080 cases in 2025 → 1,200 cases in 2026
If inspections identify potential risks in cosmetics purchased directly from overseas, the authorities will take steps to prevent their importation and sale in Korea, including customs clearance suspension and the blocking of sales websites through the relevant online platforms and the Korea Communications Standards Commission.
Furthermore, the inspection results will be disclosed on the official MFDS website* to advise consumers to exercise caution. Meanwhile, companies affected by counterfeit products will be connected to the “K-Brand Dispute Response Strategy Program,” which supports local responses against overseas sellers, including administrative and criminal enforcement and civil and criminal litigation.
* Official MFDS website (www.mfds.go.kr) → Policy Information → Cosmetic Hazard Information → Overseas Direct Purchase Safety Information
MFDS stated, “The recent increase in the distribution of defective and counterfeit products could raise concerns over consumer safety and undermine the achievements that Korean cosmetics companies have built through years of effort. We will continue to do our utmost to ensure that consumers around the world can use K-cosmetics with confidence, backed by safety, quality and competitiveness.”
KCS said, “Strengthening customs enforcement at the border is essential to eradicating the distribution of counterfeit cosmetics that harm K-beauty companies. We will continue to work closely with K-cosmetics companies, MFDS, MOIP and overseas customs authorities to prevent the illegal distribution of K-cosmetics both at home and abroad.”
MOIP stated, “Protecting K-brands goes beyond securing rights; it is directly linked to strengthening the global competitiveness of K-beauty companies. We will actively support Korean exporters in protecting their brands by providing full-cycle, customized assistance, from overseas counterfeit monitoring and dispute response strategy development to local enforcement.”
MOIP, MFDS and KCS will continue to work together to ensure consumer safety in relation to cosmetics purchased directly from overseas and to protect the IP rights of Korean cosmetics companies.