Korea food import rules: MFDS facility registration and import inspection

Before import

Anyone who imports and sells food, files import declarations as an agent, buys food online on behalf of others or stores imported food must register as a business. The overseas manufacturing facility's name, address and products must be registered with the regional MFDS office at least seven days before the import declaration; otherwise the declaration is rejected. The registration is valid for two years and must be renewed at least seven days before it expires, and changes must be registered before the next declaration.

Processed foods, agricultural products and marine products can be imported from all countries, but livestock products and foods processed from them only from 3,047 registered facilities in 30 countries that have signed an import sanitation agreement. MFDS may inspect overseas facilities on site, and refusing or failing an inspection can suspend imports. Importers that verify their overseas manufacturers in advance can register as excellent importers and get favourable conditions.

Inspections at import

• Document review: a check of the submitted documents, for example for ingredients used in the company's own products or food for research.
• Field test: a sensory check of the product's nature, taste, smell, colour, labelling and packaging.
• Laboratory test: physical, chemical or microbiological testing for first-time imports, foods with hazard issues at home or abroad and imports with a defect history.
• Random sampling: samples taken from foods under document review or sensory testing.
• Inspection order: for potentially hazardous foods or those with high non-compliance rates, written test results from a specialised institution, including certified overseas institutions, must accompany the declaration.
• MFDS's OPERA system grades foods using manufacturer and importer history and recommends the inspection type in real time.

After import

If hazard information appears in the exporting country or in overseas media, MFDS collects and inspects distributed products, and defective products are recalled or seized and disposed of. Food traceability is mandatory for sellers of infant and toddler food, health functional food and other foods, and importers of defective products can receive a training order.