Broker Caught Illegally Importing and Distributing Counterfeit Cosmetics and Health-Related Goods Manufactured Overseas - South Korea’s MOIP
14-Oct-2026
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Source : The South Korea’s Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP)
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Visits : 96
- KRW 4.5 billion worth of counterfeit and illegally imported products sold through online marketplaces, including Coupang and Naver.
- First joint investigation by MOIP and MFDS special judicial police uncovers an illegal distribution network.
DAEJEON – South Korea’s Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP) led by Minister KIM Yong Sun and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), led by Minister OH Yu-Kyoung, announced that they had apprehended a distribution broker, identified as “Suspect A,” on suspicion of illegally bringing counterfeit products into South Korea and distributing them as genuine products through domestic online marketplaces. The products, manufactured overseas, included cosmetics, health supplements, water purifier filters and other consumer goods. Suspect A was referred to the prosecution, according to the official website of MOIP.
The investigation began after the special judicial police units of MOIP and MFDS received information about suspected counterfeit products being sold on online marketplaces, including Coupang and Naver. These products included cosmetics, health supplements, water purifier filters and electronics that differed from genuine products in packaging materials, certification marks and other features. Through close cooperation, the two agencies conducted a joint investigation and uncovered the illegal distribution network.
It was revealed that Suspect A had allegedly colluded with an overseas manufacturer and consignor to sell approximately 83,000 counterfeit items across 61 product types, including cosmetics and health supplements, through domestic online marketplaces between October 2024 and November 2025. The products had an estimated market value of KRW 4.5 billion. Investigators also discovered 87 types of counterfeit and other illegally distributed products, valued at approximately KRW 1.3 billion, in a warehouse operated by Suspect A.
A comparison of the seized products with genuine items revealed differences in ▲ packaging materials and printed information, ▲ container shapes and sizes, and ▲ product formulations and colors. Based on these findings, investigators identified the products as counterfeit goods manufactured overseas and seized all items stored at the warehouse.
The investigation also revealed how the distribution network operated. Suspect A had rented and managed a logistics warehouse in North Chungcheong Province, which served as a distribution hub for counterfeit products shipped by the overseas consignor through international express freight and overseas parcel delivery services. When the consignor received orders through Coupang, Naver, and other online platforms, Suspect A arranged for the products to be delivered via domestic courier services from the warehouse to customers across Korea.
Suspect A was also found to have actively facilitated the sale of counterfeit Brita water purifier filters by replacing the original country-of-origin labels with false labels indicating “Country of Origin: Germany.”
The investigation identified a wide range of counterfeit and illegally imported products, including cosmetics, health-related products, food items and other consumer goods. Among these, approximately 97,000 counterfeit and illegally imported cosmetics, health-related products, and food items, with an estimated market value of KRW 5.4 billion, involving violations of the Cosmetics Act, the Health Functional Foods Act, and the Trademark Act. These included ▲ 28 types of cosmetics bearing Korean brands such as Celldix, KAHI and Beauty of Joseon, as well as international brands including Estée Lauder and SK-II; ▲ four types of quasi-drugs, including Re:deiit toothpaste; ▲ three types of health functional foods, including Denmark Probiotics Story and Korea Eundan All-in-One Multivitamins; and ▲ 44 types of imported food products that had not undergone the required import notification procedures.
Separately, investigators identified approximately 4,000 counterfeit consumer goods, valued at around KRW 400 million, involving violations of the Trademark Act. These included ▲ four types of household and electronic products, such as Brita water purifier filters, AirPods and PlayStation controllers; ▲ four types of footwear, including Birkenstock sandals and Nike sneakers; ▲ and two types of golf equipment bearing brands such as Titleist and PXG.
Detailed laboratory testing of 12 types of seized cosmetics and the health functional food products showed that neither the functional ingredients claimed for the cosmetics nor the marker compounds used to verify the health functional foods were detected. As counterfeit products are not subject to proper quality control during manufacturing, their claimed efficacy and safety cannot be guaranteed, raising serious concerns about potential risks to consumers.
The agencies stated, “When purchasing well-known branded products through online marketplaces, consumers are advised to use official retailers authorized by the brand owners or manufacturers. If a product is suspected of being counterfeit or tampered with, consumers should contact the customer service center of the genuine manufacturer or retailer to verify its authenticity and avoid potential harm.”
The agencies further emphasized, “We will continue to strengthen investigative cooperation and take strict enforcement action against the distribution and sale of counterfeit products, particularly cosmetics and health functional foods, that pose risks to public health and safety and undermine fair commercial practices. Those responsible will be subject to rigorous investigation and appropriate legal penalties.”