Do I need to file an import declaration and undergo document inspection with the local Regional Food and Drug Safety Office every time I import food through a foreign seller's cyber mall as an internet purchasing agency? Released

Yes, you understand correctly. Every time you import food from a foreign seller's cyber mall through an internet purchasing agency, you must file an import declaration with the local Food and Drug Administration and undergo a document inspection.

This is because the "Special Act on the Safety Management of Imported Food" Article 14 and the Enforcement Decree of the same Act Article 2 clearly define 'imported food internet purchasing agency business' as a business that imports food, etc., by acting on behalf of domestic consumers to purchase from foreign sellers' cyber malls, etc. Here, 'food, etc.' does not simply mean food, but you should be aware that it is a concept that encompasses food additives, utensils, containers, and packaging.

An internet purchasing agency operator must carry out an import declaration with the local Food and Drug Administration that oversees the customs clearance area for all import cases they wish to act on behalf of, in accordance with "Special Act on the Safety Management of Imported Food" Article 20 and the Enforcement Rules of the same Act Article 27(2) and [Appendix Form No. 26]. This declaration is made electronically through the integrated electronic customs clearance system of the Customs Service, UNIPASS (unipass.customs.go.kr). UNIPASS serves as a single window that can handle not only customs clearance tasks under the jurisdiction of the Customs Service but also the requirement confirmation tasks of related agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Quarantine Headquarters.

In addition to the import declaration, you must undergo a 'document inspection' according to the inspection methods of [Appendix 9]. The document inspection is a process of verifying whether the food in question complies with Korea's food hygiene standards and safety regulations based on the submitted import declaration documents (e.g., commercial invoice, packing list, ingredient list, manufacturing process chart, etc.). In particular, it focuses on reviewing compliance with domestic related laws, such as the presence of specific ingredients, expiration dates, and preservation standards.

This 'obligation to declare and inspect for each import' means that the internet purchasing agency business, due to its nature of acting on behalf of imports for profit, is subject to strict food safety management regulations just like general importers. Unlike individual consumers who directly purchase small quantities of food from overseas for personal consumption, purchasing agency operators play a role in supplying food to an unspecified number of consumers, so these procedures are essential from a preventive management perspective to protect public health and safety.

Therefore, if you are operating an internet purchasing agency business, it is very important to thoroughly check domestic food-related laws and standards for each individual food you wish to import, beyond simply understanding the customs clearance procedures. Special care is needed as failure to report, false reporting, or importing non-compliant food may result in penalties or administrative actions under the "Special Act on the Safety Management of Imported Food".

If you need more detailed information on how to report imported food, etc., as you mentioned, you can refer to Customs Service UNIPASS (unipass.customs.go.kr) > Customer Center > Data Room > General Data Room > Imported Food Import Declaration Preparation Data to find specific guidelines and examples needed for preparing the declaration.

Although the procedure may seem complicated, I hope you can provide a safe and reliable food purchasing agency service through accurate understanding and diligent implementation.