What specific supporting documents must be submitted for each production type to prove the complete production of seafood (deep-sea/coastal) and livestock products? Released

In the import and export customs clearance process, proving whether marine and livestock products are 'Wholly Obtained or Produced' is one of the core elements in determining their origin. This is particularly crucial for applying Free Trade Agreement (FTA) benefits or for confirming compliance with import regulations for specific items. I will provide a detailed explanation of the specific documentary evidence required for each production type that you inquired about.

1. Proving Wholly Obtained Status for Marine Products

For marine products, the required documentary evidence varies depending on the fishing method and region. 'Wholly Obtained' refers to marine products caught by vessels of the said country in its territorial waters or in the high seas; it does not include marine products merely processed from those caught in another country's territorial waters or by another country's vessels. Therefore, the主体 (entity) and place of fishing are central to proving origin.

① For Distant Water Fishing

Distant water fishing primarily refers to fishing operations conducted on the high seas or within another country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In such cases, the following documents can be used to prove that the products are wholly obtained:

• Vessel Nationality Certificate: A document clearly showing the nationality of the vessel. This is the most basic evidence to satisfy the requirement of being 'a vessel of the said country'.
• Distant Water Fishing Permit: A document proving that permission for distant water fishing activities has been granted by the government of the said country. It proves the legal right to operate in specific waters and can also confirm compliance with international fisheries organization regulations.
• Catch Import Declaration Confirmation: A document confirming the declaration and approval of the import of the catch into the domestic market after fishing operations. This proves that the marine products actually caught by the vessel have entered the country and is also used to determine the legality of fishing operations.
• Fishing Logbook: Records detailing actual fishing operations, catch volume, fishing areas, and periods kept on board the vessel. This is crucial for origin proof as it provides detailed operational history.
• Vessel Entry/Exit Records: By tracking the departure and arrival records of the fishing vessel, the duration and routes of fishing operations can be traced, indirectly proving distant water fishing activities.

These documents, by linking the vessel's nationality, fishing permit, actual operations, and catch import, are comprehensively utilized to prove that marine products were entirely produced by a vessel of the said country.

② For Coastal/Inshore Fishing

Coastal/inshore fishing primarily refers to fishing operations conducted within the territorial waters or adjacent Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the said country. Similar to distant water fishing, the fishing entity and location are important, and the following documents can prove it:

• Fishing Permit: A document proving the legal authority to conduct fishing activities in coastal waters according to the laws of the said country. This ensures the legality of the fishing activities.
• Shipment Confirmation Document or Marine Product Purchase Confirmation: A document proving that the caught marine products have been shipped from the producer (fisherman) to a distributor or processing company, or have been purchased. This is important for verifying the distribution channels of domestically caught marine products and ensures transaction transparency.
• Fisherman Registration Certificate or Association Member Confirmation Document: Material proving that the actual entity conducting fishing activities is a fisherman of the said country. This satisfies the nationality requirement of the producer.
• Vessel Registration Certificate: A document showing that the fishing vessel used is registered in the said country.

In the case of coastal/inshore fishing, unlike distant water fishing, the fishing area is relatively clear. Therefore, the qualifications of the fisherman, vessel registration, and the transparency of domestic distribution channels are key to proving wholly obtained status.

2. Proving Wholly Obtained Status for Livestock Products

'Wholly Obtained' for livestock products means the meat and by-products of animals born, raised, and slaughtered in the said country. Simply raising or processing animals imported from abroad for a certain period in the domestic market is generally difficult to be recognized as wholly obtained. Therefore, it must be proven that the entire production process took place within the said country.

• Evidence for Actual Producer and Farm:
  • Farm Registration Data or Livestock Rearing Business Permit: Proves that the farm is officially registered in the said country or operates legally with a livestock rearing business permit. This is a basic document confirming the legality and existence of the production facility.
  • Association Member Confirmation Document (e.g., Livestock Cooperative Member Confirmation): Proves that the producer is a member of a livestock-related cooperative in the said country, which can enhance the credibility of domestic production activities.
  • Individual Animal Identification and Traceability Records: Detailed traceability records such as individual animal identification numbers, birth dates, rearing periods, movement history, vaccination records, and slaughter records clearly show that the livestock was born and raised domestically and that the process was transparently managed. This is the most powerful evidence and a core document for verifying the origin of livestock products.
• Production Capacity Data:
  • Annual Production Volume Confirmation Data: Data proving the annual volume of livestock products produced at the farm, used to confirm consistency with the declared export volume. This supports the reliability of production capacity.
  • Production Facility and Rearing Workforce Confirmation Data: Proves actual production capacity through the scale of rearing facilities, feed storage, slaughter facilities (or consignment slaughter contracts), and the status of the rearing workforce. This supports that actual production activities are taking place, not just existing on paper.
  • Feed Purchase and Feeding Records: Records of feed purchases and feeding for livestock can serve as supplementary evidence to prove domestic rearing.

Proving the wholly obtained status of livestock products primarily focuses on demonstrating that the entire process of 'birth-growth-slaughter' occurred within the said country. Particularly when individual animal traceability is well-managed, proof becomes much easier and serves as an important criterion in the customs origin verification process.

3. Importance of Proving Wholly Obtained Status and the Role of a Customs Broker

The 'Wholly Obtained' criterion is one of the strictest yet clearest standards among origin rules. It means that all processes, from the production of raw materials to the final product, have taken place within one country, assuming no raw materials or processes originating from other countries were involved at all. Especially when applying for FTA tariff benefits, this wholly obtained criterion can be the most preferentially applied origin determination standard for specific items.

Customs authorities comprehensively review submitted documents to determine if the origin of imported goods has been correctly declared. If documents are insufficient or incomplete, customs may request additional documents or conduct an origin verification. In the worst case, FTA preferential tariff application may be denied, or penalties may be imposed. Furthermore, manipulation of origin or false declarations can lead to legal penalties, making accurate documentation and declaration essential.

In this complex and crucial origin verification process, the role of a customs broker is extremely important. A customs broker clearly guides you through the list of documents you need to prepare, thoroughly reviews whether each document complies with the origin rules of the relevant agreement and domestic laws, and, if necessary, helps supplement missing or insufficient information through communication with producers or related organizations. Additionally, they provide overall consulting, including preparing responses to customs inquiries and handling origin verification, to minimize risks in the customs clearance process and facilitate smooth trade.

Accurate and sufficient document preparation is an essential factor for smooth customs clearance and the application of trade benefits, so it is important to thoroughly manage relevant documentary evidence.