Tariff-Response Export Voucher: Why It Matters Now
As tariff policies from major trading partners — the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China — have shifted rapidly since 2025, Korean exporters face an unprecedented urgency for response. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) has established the "Tariff-Response Export Voucher Program" (Notice No. 2025-286) to systematically support exporters in navigating the tariff crisis.
The program runs from April 2025 through January 2026, comprising 4 packages with 14 sub-services. For Korean companies considering entry into Bangladesh, Package 3 (Production Base Relocation) and Package 4 (Alternative Market Development) are particularly noteworthy programs.
4-Package Structure and Service Framework
The tariff-response export voucher is designed in four stages to address the sequential phases of tariff crisis response. Companies can select packages tailored to their situation and receive customized support, with the option to utilize multiple packages simultaneously.
Detailed Sub-Service Guide by Package
Package 1: Tariff Damage Analysis Consulting
This package quantitatively analyzes how tariff policy changes affect a company's exports. Specialized consulting firms deliver customized analysis reports for each company, including HS code-level tariff rate change simulations, price competitiveness analysis versus competing countries, and export decline projections.
| Service | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff Impact Analysis | HS code-level tariff rate changes and export impact simulation | US/CA/MX/CN targets |
| Competitiveness Assessment | Price and quality competitiveness analysis vs. competing nations | Industry-specific |
| CBP Advance Ruling Support | Consulting for US Customs Advance Ruling applications | US-exporting companies |
Package 2: Procurement Diversification and Overseas OEM Discovery
When tariff increases have weakened existing suppliers' price competitiveness, this service helps discover alternative raw material sourcing partners or overseas OEM partners. It matches companies with suppliers in production bases where tariff avoidance is possible, including Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
- Global Sourcing: Supplier discovery leveraging KOTRA's overseas trade office network
- OEM Matching: Tariff avoidance strategy development through third-country OEM production
- Supply Chain Redesign: Global supply chain diversification consulting
Package 3: Production Base Relocation Strategy
This package supports production base relocation to fundamentally resolve tariff risks. Bangladesh is emerging as a prime candidate for China+1 strategies, offering advantages including EU-EBA preferential tariffs, low labor costs, and a young workforce — making this package particularly valuable.
| Service | Description | Bangladesh Application |
|---|---|---|
| Site Selection Consulting | Comprehensive comparison of costs, infrastructure, labor, and logistics | EPZ/EZ analysis |
| Legal Support | Local subsidiary establishment, investment permits, labor law review | BIDA process guidance |
| Tax Support | Transfer pricing, tax treaties, and tax incentive analysis | Corporate tax exemption periods |
| On-Site Due Diligence | Candidate site visits and local partner meeting arrangements | KOTRA Dhaka coordination |
Package 4: Alternative Market Development Services
When tariff barriers have risen in existing primary export markets, this package helps discover new export markets. Through support for trade fair participation, overseas certification and standards acquisition, and overseas patent filing, it reduces the cost of entering new markets.
- Overseas Trade Fairs: Voucher support for participation fees, booth setup, and interpreter costs
- Certification Acquisition: Cost support for obtaining required local certifications (BSTI, CE, FDA, etc.)
- Patent Filing: Cost support for overseas patent filing to protect intellectual property
- Market Research: In-depth market research services for new market entry
Application Process and Utilization Strategy
Eligibility Requirements
The key eligibility requirements for the tariff-response export voucher are as follows:
- Small, medium, or mid-cap enterprises with export track records
- Companies that have been or may be affected by tariff changes from the US, Canada, Mexico, or China
- Companies able to submit tariff damage evidence (export records, tariff rate change details, etc.)
- Online application through the export voucher portal is mandatory
Connection to Bangladesh Market Entry
The tariff-response export voucher serves as a practical tool especially for Korean companies considering Bangladesh entry. This is because it enables the design of production and export structures that leverage Bangladesh's preferential tariffs (EU-EBA, US GSP, etc.) while avoiding US and EU tariff risks.
Rapid changes in the tariff environment represent both crisis and opportunity. We encourage companies to strategically utilize the tariff-response export voucher to minimize damage and establish a foundation for entry into emerging markets including Bangladesh. Given that the program runs until January 2026, early application is important to secure sufficient service utilization time.