Over 12,000 S.Korean SMEs enter Taiwan through Coupang

South Korea's e-commerce leader Coupang Inc. announced on Wednesday that more than 12,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have entered Taiwan through its platform as of the end of September. 

This comes just one year after Coupang introduced its "Rocket Delivery" (next-day delivery) and "Rocket Direct Purchase" services in Taiwan in October last year.

Rocket Direct Purchase, in contrast to other international purchasing services, offers fast and free delivery through the first next-day flight to Taiwan for purchases of over 690 Taiwan dollars ($21.5). Local Rocket Delivery also provides a free next-day delivery system for purchases over 195 Taiwan dollars ($6.1).

Over the past year, the range of product categories available locally has expanded to include beauty, fashion, daily necessities, kitchenware, appliances, and baby items, significantly broadening the scope of SME exports.

The Coupang app has maintained its position as the top shopping app download in Taiwan since the second quarter of this year.

South Korean SMEs have traditionally invested in local hiring, establishing subsidiaries, and conducting operations to facilitate exports. However, Coupang's involvement in Taiwan, from customs clearance to inventory management, delivery, and customer support, is seen as making product sales considerably more accessible.

Write to Hun-Hyoung Ha at hhh@hankyung.com