Korea Customs Service seeks to implement blockchain and AI

The Korea Customs Service (KCS) has announced that it has completed the technology verification of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for their application in the e-commerce business.

The agency held a meeting on December 26 which focused on integrating blockchain and AI into the e-commerce business. At the meeting, a demonstration was also conducted to confirm the results of technical verification for the introduction of these innovative technologies in the field of customs administration.

For the blockchain application, Korea Center Co., Ltd., CJ Korea Express Co., Ltd. and Lotte Global Logistics Co. participated in the pilot project and conducted the technical verification.

Based on the technology verification, the KCS plans to develop an AI-based X-Ray in 2019 and apply it to Incheon Customs Express Logistics Center in the second half of the year. It will enable to verify the accuracy of the report items and whether illegal goods are brought in or not through X-ray.

The KCS said that blockchain technology will enable e-commerce companies and transportation companies to share information on orders and transportation of goods in real time. Then, it will use AI X-Ray to determine the accuracy of the information – that is, whether the information provided matches the actual products.

“In order to establish the basis for the introduction of the block chain technology, the pilot project will be expanded and implemented along with the improvement of the customs legislation and other systems,” the release said.

The KCS further added that it will “use its block chain and new artificial intelligence technology to do its best so that convenient and prompt customs clearance as well as blocking of illegal goods will be carried out in customs clearance of foreign direct goods.”

[Some sections of the article have been translated online from Korean]