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By Yi Whan-woo
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said Friday it will temporarily allow customs clearance of imported goods around the clock beginning Jan. 9 in a bid to stabilize the prices of import items in the lead-up to the Lunar New Year long weekend from Jan. 21 to 24.
Customs clearance will be allowed for three weeks through Jan. 27.
The KCS also said it will publicly announce the prices of 79 imported food items that are in high demand for the Lunar New Year holiday, to keep consumers updated about the food prices and help them shop efficiently.
The 79 items include garlic, red pepper, sesame seeds, chestnuts, beef ribs, soybeans and soy sauce.
The prices will be announced weekly on its website.
"The KCS will mobilize a special unit to ensure 24-hour customs clearance nationwide," the agency said in a press release.
The KCS said it will also temporarily offer the round-the-clock customs clearance for gifts that are purchased in online shopping malls abroad, noting that such gifts are anticipated to "flock in" ahead of the Lunar New Year.
The KCS's measures are in line with the government's efforts to curb prices during holidays.
For example, the government will supply a record 208,000 tons of 16 major Lunar New Year food items, while lowering electricity fees for the socially vulnerable to minimize the financial burden following a sharp hike in electricity fees in the first half of the year.
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