Do I need to file an import declaration with the local 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. Each 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 Safety Office and undergo document inspection.

This is because the "Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control" 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 on behalf of domestic consumers from foreign sellers' cyber malls, etc. Here, 'food, etc.' is not simply limited to food but is a concept that encompasses food additives, utensils, containers, and packaging.

Internet purchasing agency operators must fulfill import declarations for all import cases they wish to act on behalf of, in accordance with "Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control" Article 20 and the Enforcement Rule of the same Act Article 27(2) and [Form No. 26] to the local Food and Drug Safety Office that oversees the customs clearance area. This declaration is made electronically through the integrated electronic customs clearance system of the Korea Customs Service, UNIPASS (unipass.customs.go.kr). UNIPASS serves as a single window that handles not only customs clearance tasks under the jurisdiction of the Korea Customs Service but also requirement confirmation 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 in accordance with the inspection methods in [Table 9]. The document inspection is a process that verifies 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 regarding the presence of specific ingredients, expiration dates, and preservation standards.

This 'obligation to declare and inspect for each import' means that internet purchasing agencies are subject to the same strict food safety management regulations as general importers due to the nature of their business, which involves importing for profit. Unlike individual consumers who purchase small quantities of food from overseas for personal consumption, purchasing agencies supply food to an unspecified number of consumers, making these procedures essential for preventive management to protect public health and safety.

Therefore, if you operate an internet purchasing agency, it is crucial to thoroughly verify domestic food-related laws and standards for each individual food item you wish to import beyond merely understanding the customs clearance procedures. Failure to report, false reporting, or importing non-compliant food may result in penalties or administrative actions under the "Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control", so special attention is required.

If you need more detailed information on how to report imported food, as you 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 Data to find specific guidelines and examples needed for preparing the declaration.

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