Korea Customs Service

What is Passenger Name Record (PNR)?

• Passenger Name Record (PNR) is personal information provided by passengers after reservation of an international flight is made and collected and held by air carriers. It includes information such as the name of the passenger, passport number, telephone number, seat number and data on baggage, etc.
• The PNR data that Korea Customs Service (KCS) collects is as follows:
  • - Nationality, name, date of birth, passport number and reservation number 
  • - Address and telephone numbe
  • - The time the reservation is made and the check-in process is completed
  • - The number and issuance date of the airline ticket, the name of city where such ticket has been issued, and the method of payment
  • - The course of travel and travel agency
  • - Accompanying passengers and the seat number
  • - The data on baggage
  • - The number and class of membership (if applicable) and data on the order by the passenger

Why is the PNR data provided to KCS?

• KCS collects the PNR data provided by air carriers to prevent terrorist offences and serious crime such as drugs, ensure safe departure and entry of nationals and strengthen security.
• It is in accordance with the statutes below: 
  • - Article 137-2 (Requests for Passenger Reservation Data) of the Customs Act
  • - Article 158-2 (Access to Passenger Reservation Data) of the Enforcement Decree of the Customs Act
  • - Article 62-3 (Deadline for Submitting Passenger Reservation Data) of the Enforcement Rules of the Customs Act
  • - Public Notice on the Provision and Use of Passenger Reservation Data by Shipping Company and Airline

Is the personal information safely protected?

• Yes, the KCS is doing our utmost to protect the personal information:
  • - Use it for lawful purposes only
  • - Limited access, depersonalization after one month, and strict compliance with security guidelines including regular training, etc.
  • - Retained for three years (exceptionally, up to five years)

Is it in line with international standard?

• The KCS’s collection and use of PNR data follows the standards recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  • - According to the Chapter 9 (Passenger Data Exchange Systems) of Annex 9,     ICAO recommends customs authorities from each country to collect PNR data and the KCS is operating a system to process the data on an internationally recognized level based on the ICAO standards.