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

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

This is because the "Special Act on Imported Food Safety Management" Article 14 and the same Act Enforcement Decree Article 2 clearly define 'imported food internet purchasing agency business' as a business that imports food, etc., by acting as an agent for purchasing from foreign sellers' cybermalls at the request of domestic consumers. Here, 'food, etc.' is not just limited to food but is a comprehensive concept that includes food additives, utensils, containers, and packaging.

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

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

This 'obligation for declaration and inspection for each import' means that internet purchasing agencies, as businesses that act as agents for imports for profit, are subject to the same strict food safety management regulations as general importers. Unlike individual consumers who purchase small quantities of food from overseas for personal consumption, purchasing agencies supply food to an unspecified number of consumers, so these procedures are essential for preemptive management to protect public health and safety.

Therefore, if you are operating an internet purchasing agency, it is very important to thoroughly check domestic food-related laws and standards for each individual food you intend to import in addition to understanding the customs clearance procedures. Special attention is required as you may face penalties or administrative actions under the "Special Act on Imported Food Safety Management" for unreported or false declarations or importing non-compliant food.

If you need more detailed information on how to file an import declaration for imported food, etc., as mentioned, you can refer to Korea Customs Service UNIPASS (unipass.customs.go.kr) > Customer Center > Data Room > General Data Room > Imported Food Import Declaration Preparation Materials 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.