Korea (Republic of) - Export requirements for fish and seafood

Eligible/Ineligible product

Eligible

  • All fish and seafood products
  • Seal meat must originate from Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica) and/or Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) harvested in Canadian waters

Ineligible

  • Seal meat which does not meet criteria above
  • Importation of seal organs and seal penis is not permitted

Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country

Establishments

  • Establishments wishing to export fish and seafood products to the Republic of Korea must appear on the List of Registered Foreign Food Facility, administered by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)
    • Select "Petition Application", then select "List of Registered Foreign Food Facility"
  • Exporters are required to self-register with the MFDS by completing the application form from MFDS by selecting "Application for Foreign Food Facility"
    • The MFDS website provides detailed instructions on how to complete the Application for Foreign Food Facility form
    • A copy of the processing establishment's SFC licence is required to be attached to the online application
    • All documents provided must be in English
  • Exporters should confirm that the establishment appears on the List of Registered Foreign Food Facility prior to commencing export activities
  • Currently, Canada does not have an Arrangement on Fishery Products with the Republic of Korea, and the expiration dates for Canadian establishment registrations apply
  • Registrations are valid for 2 years and must be renewed at least 7 days before the expiration date by submitting an "Application for Extending Validity Period of Foreign Food Facility" via the MFDS webpage

Product specifications

Maximum levels for chemical contaminants
Metal Applicable fish products Maximum level permitted in ppm
Cadmium Molluscs 2.0
Cadmium Crustaceans, except swimming blue crab (Portunus tituberculata) with intestines 1.0
Cadmium Swimming blue crab (Portunus tituberculata) with intestines 5.0
Copper All products 60.0
Zinc All products 40.0
Lead Crustaceans, except swimming blue crab (Portunus tituberculata) with intestines 1.0
Lead Swimming blue crab (Portunus tituberculata) with intestines 2.0
Lead All other products 0.3
Mercury All products except for shark, tuna and grouper 0.5

Antibiotics are prohibited

Documentation requirements

Certificates

Note: the Republic of Korea has indicated that for Aquatic Animal Health (AQAH) certificates AQAH-1072, AQAH-1088, and AQAH-1089, listed below and used for exports of wild products, information on the aquaculture establishment in section 1 (Name and Address of Aquaculture Establishment) of these export certificates must be completed with "N/A" and not left blank.

  1. For all mollusc products:

    Aquatic Animal Health and Sanitary Certificate for Export Of Molluscs For Human Consumption and Non-Human Consumption From Canada To The Republic Of Korea (AQAH-1072)

    Note: the Republic of Korea considers all bivalves, including clams, oysters, mussels and scallops, as susceptible to White Spot Disease (WSD).

  2. For live finfish (cultured or wild):

    Animal Health and Sanitary Certificate for Export Of Live Finfish For Human Consumption From Canada To The Republic Of Korea (AQAH-1088)

  3. For crustaceans (cultured or wild):

    Aquatic Animal Health and Sanitary Certificate for Export Of Crustaceans For Human Consumption and Non-Human Consumption from Canada To The Republic Of Korea (AQAH-1089)

    Note: the Republic of Korea has indicated that at this time, consignments of cooked or heated crustaceans and peeled and head removed chilled/frozen shrimp do not need to be accompanied by AQAH-1089. All other consignments of crustaceans or their products require an AQAH-1089.

  4. For fresh/frozen non-live finfish products:

    No certificate required

  5. For seal meat:

    Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003)

    The following statements/information must be included on the certificate:

    • "The seal meat originates from Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica) and/or Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) only"
    • "The seal meat has been processed at an establishment that has been determined to be in good regulatory standing with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under a HACCP and sanitary program consistently implemented and in accordance with the requirements laid down in Codex Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products (CAC/RCP 52-2003)"
    • "Harp Seals (Phoca groenlandica) and Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) originating from Canadian waters are not listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)"
    • "Canada has not reported any animal contagious diseases listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH; founded as Office International des Épizooties (OIE)) in seals, and there are no associated animal health restrictions required for Canadian seal meat for human consumption"

Other information

Further details on import requirements can be obtained from South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

 
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