Imported Food Importer / Distributor Business Registration in Korea

What is imported food business registration?

An imported-food import and sales business imports and sells imported food, etc. Import businesses are classified as import/sales, report agency, internet purchase agency and storage businesses, and anyone starting such a business must register it.

What are the requirements?

(1) Facilities: an independent office is required, except where an office for another purpose is shared without hindering business activity. An import/sales business needs a warehouse able to store goods hygienically, which may be set up or leased at a place other than the registered address. A separate warehouse may be omitted if goods are not sold directly to consumers.

(2) Training: take hygiene training beforehand — 4 hours. It may be delivered in a classroom or online. After registration, 3 hours of training are required each year.

(3) Restrictions: registration is not allowed if the facilities do not meet the standards, if you apply for the same type of business at the same place before 6 months have passed since registration was cancelled, or if the applicant is under adult guardianship or is an undischarged bankrupt.

(4) Note: a registered food manufacturer, etc. that imports raw materials for its own products is deemed registered.

Which documents are needed?

The registration application (electronic documents allowed), with (1) the training completion certificate if training was taken beforehand and (2) a facility use contract if the storage facility is leased or a shared facility is used as an independent office. The authority checks the land-use plan confirmation, building register and corporate registry through shared administrative information. If the authority cannot internally confirm disqualification grounds it may request identity documents; a foreign applicant may be asked for a document issued by the government of the home country or another competent authority, or a notarized statement.

What is the procedure?

(1) Complete pre-start hygiene training → (2) prepare the office and warehouse → (3) submit the application and documents → (4) the authority reviews and issues the business registration certificate. At the import stage, a notification must be filed to import food, overseas manufacturers must be registered before import notification and that registration is valid for 2 years from the registration date.

How long does it take?

This review did not confirm a statutory processing period, so no number of days is given. The law requires the authority to review the application and then issue the certificate. Training and facility preparation take additional time; ask the receiving office for its processing period.

Which authority receives the application?

The head of the Regional Food and Drug Administration.

What is the statutory fee?

The fee for a business registration application is KRW 28,000. The basis is Article 41 of the Imported Food Safety Control Act and Article 50 / Appendix 15 of its Enforcement Rule. Change registration costs KRW 26,500 for a location change and KRW 9,300 for other changes. (Enforcement Rule effective 2026-09-30. Private service fees are not statutory fees and are excluded.)

Why is a registration rejected?

Reasons confirmed in the law: facility standards not met, same type of business at the same place within 6 months of cancellation, or an applicant under guardianship / undischarged bankrupt. On documents, the training certificate and facility use contract must not be missing where required. Operating without registration can lead to up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to KRW 50 million, or both.

What can an administrative attorney help with?

YouSun Administrative Attorney prepares and submits application or report documents on your authorization. Work restricted by other laws cannot be handled, and litigation or court representation is lawyer work and is not offered. Approval, registration or acceptance, and the outcome, are decided by the competent authority.