Korea CCL Import Prices Break $20,000/Ton Barrier for First Time

May 10, 2026 — The copper clad laminate (CCL) market is experiencing its most severe supply crunch in decades, with South Korea's import prices reaching an unprecedented $20,728 per ton in March 2026—a 74.5% surge from $11,880 a year earlier, according to Korea Customs Service data reported by Hankyung . This marks the first time CCL import prices have exceeded $20,000 per ton since records began in 2000.

The severity of the shortage is illustrated by procurement behavior: one Seoul-based PCB maker reportedly placed advance orders worth KRW 10 billion (approximately $7.2 million) with Taiwan's EMC and TUC—more than five times its typical monthly usage—to secure supply amid tightening conditions.

What's Driving the CCL Shortage

The fundamental driver is a structural shift toward higher-value, AI-optimized materials .…