South Korea moves to ease courier packaging rules while encouraging plastic reduction

SOUTH KOREA – South Korea has proposed revisions to its courier packaging regulations that would introduce greater flexibility for logistics operators while continuing to promote reductions in plastic packaging waste.

The proposed changes were announced by the Ministry of Environment, which has opened an administrative notice period for amendments to the “Notice on Simple Measurement Methods for Product Packaging Materials and Packaging Methods.”

The revision follows the implementation of the country’s Disposable Packaging Methods and Standards introduced in April 2024 to curb packaging waste from parcel deliveries.

The regulations apply to companies with annual average sales exceeding KRW 50 billion (approximately US$34 million).

Under the current rules, the packaging space ratio, defined as the empty space within a parcel, must not exceed 50%, while packages are generally limited to a single layer of packaging.

However, the government is currently operating within a two-year guidance period to allow companies to adapt to the requirements.

The newly proposed revisions aim to address practical challenges raised by industry stakeholders during the early stages of implementation.

Kim Go-eung, Director General of the Resources Circulation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, said the changes are intended to balance regulatory objectives with real-world logistics operations.

“This amendment takes into account the practical applicability of regulations on excessive packaging in the parcel delivery sector,” Kim said, adding that authorities will continue consulting stakeholders to ensure the system operates effectively while reducing packaging waste.

One of the key adjustments concerns fragile goods such as glass, ceramics, and clay products. Packaging used to protect these items will be exempt from certain packaging standards when additional protection is deemed unavoidable.

The revision also addresses challenges faced by companies using automated parcel packaging systems.

Due to equipment design constraints, many automated systems require boxes or plastic packaging materials with a combined dimension of at least 60 cm.

Under the proposed update, the minimum package size exempt from the packaging space ratio requirement would increase from 50 cm to 60 cm when automated equipment is used, while manually packaged parcels would continue to follow the existing 50 cm threshold.

In addition, the government plans to introduce incentives for more sustainable packaging materials.

If plastic packaging contains at least 20% recycled material, the allowable packaging space ratio would increase from 50% to 60%.

Parcels using paper-based cushioning materials would be allowed up to a 70% packaging space ratio to account for the additional space often required compared with plastic alternatives.

Certain product categories will also be exempt from the standards, including packages containing multiple items sold together, reused packaging materials, and products with unusual shapes.

Long products, where the shorter sides measure less than 20% of the longest side, and flat products, where the second-longest side is at least four times the shortest side, will qualify for exemptions.

The ministry plans to finalize and implement the revised rules in April as part of its broader strategy to reduce packaging waste while encouraging the adoption of recyclable and recycled packaging materials across the logistics sector.

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