Korea, Republic of (KR)
Fish products for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department) is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exports.
All premises involved in the production of fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the Department. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the department’s Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.
Exceptions to establishment registration
Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021;
- liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
- dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
- fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
- fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
- fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
- fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;
Note
However, if the importing country requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for products for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for South Korea | Yes |
Registered storage and processing establishments (including export registered processing vessels) exporting fish and fish products to the Republic of Korea may be required to register with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS). Please contact your Korean importer to ensure all required registrations are complete.
Please note that the NFQS registration period is 2 years and a request to extend validity must be made at least 7 days before expiration to maintain registration. Export establishments requiring renewal should request this through their importer.
1.3 Prohibited products
South Korea has prohibited the use of oil fish and escolar for human consumption. Therefore, these fish species are prohibited from export.
The following products for human consumption cannot be exported to the South Korea:
- Frozen fish heads as covered by HS Code 0303;
- Frozen fish visceral by-products covered by HS Codes 0303, 0306, 0307, including products such as edible roe, hard roe and squid nidamental glands.
Exporters of chilled product are encouraged to seek clarification from their imported on product import eligibility with their importer as to eligibility prior to export.
1.4 Access for fish products for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| *The department confirms that live, frozen and chilled Southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) and western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) has been added to Korea’s approval list of edible food ingredient and can be exported to Korea for human consumption. For other species of rock lobster, the department recommends that exporters confirm with South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) through importers regarding the eligibility of the species. | |
| Finfish | Yes |
| Bivalves (for example, oysters, scallops, mussels, oysters, clams, cockles) | Yes |
| Crustaceans (for example, crab, prawn, lobster*, scampi, crayfish) | Yes |
| Echinoderms (for example, sea urchins, sea cucumber) | Yes |
| Gastropods (for example, abalone, periwinkles) | Yes |
| Cephalopods (for example, squid, cuttlefish, octopus) | Yes |
| Tunicates (for example, sea squirts) | Yes |
| Crocodile | No |
2.1 Harvest
Sourcing of fish and fish products
South Korea has no known specific requirements for sourcing of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles
There is no agreed certification for crocodile meat to South Korea.
2.2 Microbial and residue sampling
On 1 July 2018, South Korea implemented a Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for isoeugenol (active ingredient of AQUI-S Aquatic Anaesthetic) of 0.01 mg/kg.
On 3 July 2019, South Korea implemented a MRL for Ethoxyquin and Ethoxyquin dimer of 1mg/kg in fish and 0.2mg/kg in crustaceans. Follow the below instructions to view on Korea’s Food Safety website:
- Access the following link: 잔류물질정보.
- Select “English” in the top right hand corner of the webpage
- Type Ethoxyquin in the search bar which says “Please enter pesticide name”
- Click on “Ethoxyquin” under Pesticide name (English)
South Korea residue standards
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in South Korea or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between South Korea and Australia.
Food business operators should note that:
- These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the South Korea standards and the Australian standards.
- Any detection of a residue above the South Korea MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.
Note
Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.
2.3 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation
South Korea has no known additional requirements for specific operations that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
2.4 Premises and equipment
South Korea has no known specific requirements for premises and equipment that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.1 Live fish
South Korea has no known specific requirements for the preparation of live fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.2 Non-viable fish
South Korea has no known specific requirements for the preparation of non-viable fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.3 Crocodile
South Korea has no known specific requirements for the preparation of crocodiles that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.4 Packaging
South Korea has no known specific requirements for packaging, that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.5 Labelling
South Korea has no known specific requirements for labelling that differ from the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.6 Shelf life
South Korea has no known specific requirements for Shelf life that differ from the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
4.1 Shipping marks
South Korea has no known specific requirements for shipping marks, that differ from of the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
4.2 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout
South Korea has no known specific requirements for refrigeration, transfer and loadout, that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
5.1 Import permit
Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.
5.2 Port of entry inspection and testing
Electronic certification (eCert)
From 3 February 2025, certification for fish and fish products exported from Australia to the Republic of Korea will be issued exclusively via the Next Export Documentation (NEXDOC) system using paperless eCert. This means an extract is generated for each completed Request for Export (REX) (printable certificates are no longer available).
Exporters can use the EXKRF1 certificate template to export live and non-viable fish and fish products to the Republic of Korea.
Please note that exporters will not be able to request a copy of the electronic health certificate. However, an extract, serves as a commercial document for the exporter's records only, will be available. The full electronic health certificate will be directly accessible to border authority staff in the importing country.
6.1 Live fish
Live finfish, bivalves, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates
For the export of eligible live seafood, use EXKRF1 certificate.
Embedded endorsement
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Australia maintains a system that meets OIE requirements for the notification of diseases and epidemiological information in aquatic animals and on this basis can certify that the prescribed goods described above have been sourced from a zone/area(s) free from infection from the following:
- Aquatic animal novel diseases specific to crustaceans: Necrotising Hepatopancreatitis (NHP), Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) and Decapod Iridescent Virus 1 (DIV1) for susceptible animal species relevant to Australia.
- Aquatic animal diseases specific to finfish: Salmonid Alphavirus (SAV) and Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) are not applicable to the prescribed goods described above.
- In respect of farmed aquatic animals, these were examined prior to harvesting for processing or transport and found to be healthy
- Of Australian Origin
6.2 Non-viable fish
Non-viable finfish, bivalves, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates
For the export of eligible non-viable seafood, use EXKRF1 certificate.
Embedded endorsement
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Australia maintains a system that meets OIE requirements for the notification of diseases and epidemiological information in aquatic animals and on this basis can certify that the prescribed goods described above have been sourced from a zone/area(s) free from infection from the following:
- Aquatic animal novel diseases specific to crustaceans: Necrotising Hepatopancreatitis (NHP), Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) and Decapod Iridescent Virus 1 (DIV1) for susceptible animal species relevant to Australia.
- Aquatic animal diseases specific to finfish: Salmonid Alphavirus (SAV) and Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) are not applicable to the prescribed goods described above.
- In respect of farmed aquatic animals, these were examined prior to harvesting for processing or transport and found to be healthy
- Of Australian Origin
6.3 Crocodiles
There is no agreed certification for import of crocodile meat into South Korea.
Fish products not for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.
Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the department’s non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for products not for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for South Korea | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
The Department is not aware of any prohibited fish products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to South Korea.
1.4 Access for fish products not for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| Aquaculture feed | No agreed certification |
| Animal feed | No agreed certification |
| Crocodile skins and hides | No agreed certification |
| Technical products and pharmaceutical material (for example, fish oil capsule) | No agreed certification |
| Rendered products | No agreed certification |
| Shells | No agreed certification |
The Department is not aware of the requirements for animal feed. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the South Korea competent authority prior to shipping any animal feed to South Korea.
The Department is not aware of the requirements for crocodile skins and hides. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the South Korea competent authority prior to shipping any crocodile skins and hides to South Korea.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for Rendered products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the South Korea competent authority prior to shipping any Rendered products to South Korea.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for technical grade and pharmaceutical products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the South Korea competent authority prior to shipping any technical products or pharmaceutical material to South Korea.
10/02/2025 - Updated overseas listing information (section 1.2).
31/01/2025 - Updated documentation requirements and link to residue limits (sections 2.2 and 6).
03/01/2025 - Updated overseas listing information (section 1.2).
29/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
20/03/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform with standard Micor fish headings.
31/01/2025 - Updated documentation requirements and link to residue limits (sections 2.2 and 6).
03/01/2025 - Updated overseas listing information (section 1.2).
29/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
20/03/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform with standard Micor fish headings.