(1) Where the head of a customs office grants a license to operate a bonded store that sells goods pursuant to Article 196 (1), he or she shall grant a license at a higher percentage than that prescribed by Presidential Decree to a person who meets the requirements for receiving a license under Article 174 (3) (hereafter referred to as "small or medium enterprise, etc." in this Article) from among small and medium enterprises under Article 2 of the Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises and middle-standing enterprises under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of Special Act on the Promotion of Growth and the Strengthening of Competitiveness of Middle-Standing Enterprises, which meet the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree for the sales amount, the total amount of assets, shares owned, investment relations, etc.; but shall not grant a license at a higher percentage than that prescribed by Presidential Decree to an enterprise belonging to an enterprise group subject to the limitations on mutual investment prescribed in Article 31 (1) of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act: Provided, That in cases of a bonded store that sells goods pursuant to Article 196 (2), the head of a customs office may grant a license only to a small or medium enterprise, etc. <Amended on Jan. 1, 2014; Jan. 21, 2014; Dec. 31, 2018; Dec. 29, 2020>
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), paragraph (1) shall not apply to cases prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as where the existing license expires but an application for a new license under paragraph (3) is not filed.
(3) A license to operate a bonded store shall be granted after an application for such license filed by a person who meets the specified qualification requirements is examined according to evaluation criteria prescribed by Presidential Decree. The same shall also apply where the existing license expires (excluding where it is renewed under paragraph (6)). <Amended on Dec. 23, 2014>
(4) Notwithstanding Article 174 (2), a license fee of a bonded store may be fixed, different from a license fee of a bonded area of other types, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, based on the turnover of each bonded store of an operator (referring to the turnover calculated according to corporate accounting standards): Provided, That license fees for a bonded store may be reduced or exempted where a disaster under subparagraph 1 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety causes serious damage to the business of the bonded store. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2019; Dec. 22, 2020>
(5) Deleted. <Dec. 31, 2022>
(6) A person who has obtained a license under paragraph (1) may be granted a renewal of the license up to twice, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, the renewal period may be extended within 5 years each. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 23, 2014; Dec. 31, 2018; Jun. 9, 2020; Dec. 31, 2022>
(7) The Minister of Economy and Finance shall report the sales of each bonded store within four months from the end of each fiscal year to the competent standing committee of the National Assembly, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 23, 2014; Dec. 21, 2021>
(8) Other matters regarding the procedures for a license to operate a bonded store shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 23, 2014; Jun. 9, 2020>[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 1, 2013]