Import Declaration and Imported Food Inspection Procedures

To import food into Korea from overseas, you need to follow these steps:

• All imported foods must first be declared to Korea Customs Service (KCS), which then requires the importers to obtain clearance from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). In other words, the import declaration process with MFDS must be completed and the approved import declaration certificate from MFDS must be submitted to KCS for the final release of the imported goods from the bonded area into the market.

1. Preparation: Investigate the information about the food items you intend to import and familiarize yourself with relevant regulations based on the item.

• For food or health functional food, this includes understanding the type, product standards and specifications, suitability of ingredients, suitability of ingredient combination, labeling compliance, import food declaration procedure, compliance requirements for food importers, etc.

2. Document Preparation: The basic documents needed include the ingredient combination ratio (formula), manufacturing process flow chart, and labels.

• If necessary, GMO documentation (manufacturer’s certification, usage certificate, PCR certificate, identity preservation certificate), Certificate of Origin, certificate issued by the exporting country government (Certificate of Export or Health Certificate), Certificate of Origin, organic certification, reason for expiration date setting, etc.

3. Import Declaration: Proceed with import declaration through Korea Customs Service’s UNIPASS.

4. Import Declaration Process: Detailed information can be found on the MFDS Food Safety Korea website.  

 

Refer to the source: Food Safety Korea https://www.foodsafetykorea.go.kr/portal/board/boardDetail.do

MFDS Imported Food Safety https://www.mfds.go.kr/mfds/eng/html/sub01/MFDS-DE01-10-02-L0001.jsp

Inspection of Imported Foods

1. Document Inspection and Target Items: Document inspection is an evaluation that determines the appropriateness of the declaration documents, targeting the following imported foods.
2. On-site Inspection and Target Items: On-site inspection involves evaluating the nature, condition, taste, smell, color, labeling, packaging state, and detailed inspection history of the product to determine its suitability. This includes organoleptic evaluations conducted based on specific criteria and methods determined by the Commissioner of the MFDS, targeting the following imported foods.
3. Detailed Inspection and Target Items: Detailed inspection involves physical, chemical, or microbiological methods and includes document and organoleptic inspections, targeting the following imported foods.
4. Random Sampling Inspection and Target Items: Random sampling inspection involves extracting samples based on a sample extraction plan determined by the Commissioner of the MFDS, using physical, chemical, or microbiological methods. This includes document and on-site inspections, targeting the following imported foods, except for foods registered with excellent importer status as per Article 7 or foods from outstanding overseas manufacturers registered under Article 8.