South Korea Publishes List of Major Tax Delinquents: Vape Wholesaler Owes Over USD 15.5 Million

Nov.11

The Korea Customs Service (KCS) has released a list of 236 habitual and large-scale customs tax delinquents with total unpaid taxes amounting to approximately USD 917 million. Among them, a vape wholesaler tops the individual list, owing about USD 15.57 million, while another vape-related company owes roughly USD 12.02 million.

Key Points

The Korea Customs Service disclosed 236 tax delinquents, with total arrears of around USD 917 million.

33 new delinquents were added this year, with combined unpaid taxes of about USD 46.82 million.

The highest individual delinquent is a vape wholesaler owing KRW 22.8 billion (USD 15.57 million).

The company with the largest arrears is vape wholesaler JL Guide, owing KRW 17.5 billion (USD 12.02 million).

Tax evasion cases are concentrated in sectors such as vaping products, agriculture, and alcohol.

According to biz.newdaily, on November 7, the Korea Customs Service (KCS) published its 2025 list of habitual and large-scale customs tax delinquents. The list includes 236 entities — 170 individuals and 66 companies — with total unpaid taxes reaching KRW 1.3362 trillion (approximately USD 917 million), an increase of about USD 47.4 million compared to last year.

The list discloses the names, ages, addresses, and arrears amounts of the delinquents. This public disclosure system, introduced in 2007, aims to encourage voluntary payments and strengthen social oversight to improve tax recovery efficiency.

This year’s list added 33 new delinquents (11 individuals and 22 companies) who collectively owe around USD 46.82 million. The highest individual arrears belong to a vape wholesaler, with unpaid taxes amounting to KRW 22.8 billion (USD 15.57 million).

Among corporate delinquents, vape wholesaler JL Guide recorded the highest arrears, owing KRW 17.5 billion (USD 12.02 million).

Several evasion cases involve the vaping, agricultural, and liquor sectors. For instance, one company reportedly misclassified nicotine liquid extracted from tobacco leaves as stem extract to avoid excise tax, resulting in unpaid taxes of KRW 8.1 billion (USD 5.56 million).

The KCS stated it would strengthen enforcement through whistleblower rewards, asset tracing, and administrative sanctions. Commissioner Lee Myung-koo emphasized that active public reporting of concealed assets plays a critical role in curbing chronic tax evasion.

References:

[1] 참깨·전자담배·위스키까지 '세금 회피 기술' 총출동 … 1.3兆 관세 체납자 236명 공개

Also Read:

[1] South Korea Implements Law Requiring Full Disclosure of Tobacco Harmful Substances

[2] South Korea Plans Unified Regulation for Synthetic and Look-Alike Nicotine Products

[3] South Korean Parliament advances revision of tobacco law to include synthetic nicotine products, expected to generate $6.3 billion in tax revenue

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