What Is Tariff-Damage Analysis Consulting?
Tariff-damage analysis consulting is a Type 1 service under the Export Voucher program. It is a specialized advisory service that calculates the real impact of tariff-policy changes in major trading partners—such as the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and China—on Korean exporters. Instead of relying on a qualitative impression like “tariffs increased,” it provides quantitative diagnostics including HS-code-based simulations, sales impact scenarios, and cost-structure sensitivity analysis.
In complex trade-policy environments—with U.S. high tariffs on China, stricter USMCA origin controls in Canada and Mexico, and China's retaliatory tariff and export-control measures—the tariff impact can be difficult to estimate internally. This makes structured consulting with trade specialists and customs professionals practically essential.
Five Types of Consulting
Tariff-damage analysis consulting is customized into five tracks depending on a company's immediate need. Each track can be requested individually, and selecting two to three together as a bundled program produces a much more comprehensive response strategy.
| Track | Core Analytics | Support Ceiling | Primary Use of Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tariff Impact | Tariff rate per HS code, effective rate, RCEP/FTA impact | KRW 10M max | Basis for follow-on applications |
| Sales Scenarios | Best-case / base-case / worst-case three financial scenarios | KRW 15M max | Board-level decision support |
| Cost Optimization | Raw-material, logistics, and tariff burden redistribution | KRW 20M max | Price re-negotiation support with buyers |
| Competitor Comparison | Bangladesh / Vietnam / India comparative analysis | KRW 15M max | Production-base shift decisions |
| Integrated Diagnosis | Comprehensive analysis across four tracks | KRW 30M max | Masterplan for tariff response |
Consulting Flow
Country-Specific Tariff Policy Priorities
United States: Section 301 and Extra Tariffs
The U.S. Section 301 tariff measures against China can reach up to 100% (including EV-related categories), and the resulting supply-chain realignment directly affects Korean exporters. When Korean products include Chinese-origin components, firms should prepare for tighter origin verification by U.S. Customs. Tariff analysis therefore evaluates both Section 301 applicability by HS code and component-origin ratios.
Canada and Mexico: USMCA Origin Tightening
USMCA origin rules are stricter than the former NAFTA framework. For automotive parts, the minimum North American content share has increased, so Korean-origin preferential treatment in USMCA may be limited. Damage analysis therefore checks origin-qualification risk and alternative sourcing options before operational decisions.
China: Retaliatory Tariffs and Export Controls
In response to U.S. tariff pressure, China's retaliatory tariffs and export controls on critical minerals continue to influence Korean semiconductor and chemical supply chains. Damage analysis should therefore include alternative procurement cost simulations for Chinese inputs and compare fallback sourcing in markets such as Bangladesh.
Tips for Using the Consulting Results
Tariff-damage analysis is the first step toward data-driven decisions, not intuition. By using government-funded voucher support, firms can access high-quality specialized diagnostics at a manageable cost. In rapidly changing tariff environments, this baseline analysis helps firms move from reactive responses to strategic action more quickly.