Exporter Registration in South Korea

EDMONTON - Jul 6/16 - SNS -- Canadian special crops processors and handlers must register with the South Korean government if they intend to export product to the country, advises Alberta Agriculture and Agriculture Canada.

On February 6, 2016, Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) implemented the Special Act on Safety Management and Imported Food. This Special Act consolidates policies and measures related to imported foods that were previously divided between multiple Acts. A notable change introduced through the Special Act is the mandatory pre-registration of foreign food facilities and livestock establishments by the MFDS.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Market Access Secretariat has advised the following for industry stakeholders:

South Korea's MFDS has confirmed that all foreign manufacturers must register under the Special Act on Imported Food. Foreign manufacturers are defined as facilities where imported food is manufactured, processed, packaged and stored. A facility where a final product is made shall also be registered as a manufacturer.

Canada has confirmed that silos and grain elevators must register as foreign facilities in accordance with the above mentioned Act. Foreign manufacturers shall be registered with MFDS at least seven working days prior to import declaration. MFDS has granted a six-month grace period for the mandatory registration, so foreign facilities can continue to export products to Korea until August 4, 2016 without registering.