KOREA TRADE GUIDE

Korean educational materials and kindergarten equipment: import guide

For operators of kindergartens, academies and learning centres outside Korea who want Korean teaching aids, books, play equipment and stationery. It covers HS codes, duties and FTA rates by country, children’s product safety rules, copyright for books and curricula, and how a mixed order is put together.

Request a quote Duties and FTA by country

Last checked: October 2026

How do schools and learning centres import teaching materials from Korea?

Most Korean makers of teaching aids, picture books and classroom equipment are small firms that sell only inside Korea, so overseas buyers usually order through a trading company that buys from several makers, checks the goods and ships them as one consignment. The buyer acts as importer of record and is responsible for children’s product safety compliance in the destination country, because Korea’s KC mark is a domestic certification and does not replace CE marking, a US Children’s Product Certificate or national marks such as Indonesia’s SNI. Printed books are duty-free in the main markets checked for this guide, while toys and stationery carry low duties that fall to zero under Korea’s FTAs when the goods qualify as Korean origin.

Typical order	Why direct buying is hard	How consolidation solves it
Picture books, workbooks and readers from several publishers for one school or chain	Publishers sell through domestic distributors, rarely quote in English and do not handle export paperwork for small quantities.	One purchase order and one invoice covering all titles, with books packed and listed by ISBN and title for customs.
Teaching aids, puzzles, blocks and manipulatives for classrooms	Makers are small workshops with no export experience and test reports issued only for the Korean KC scheme.	We collect the specifications, material lists and existing test reports from each maker so you can plan destination testing before the goods ship.
Indoor play equipment and child-size furniture for a new centre	Bulky, made to order, and supplied by different factories with different lead times.	Deliveries are received at one point, checked against drawings and loaded together, so furniture, play units and small items travel in one container.
Stationery, art supplies and classroom consumables as a repeat top-up order	Each maker has its own minimum order and none will ship a few cartons abroad.	Small lots from several makers are combined with your main order and declared under the correct HS line for each item.

Import duties and FTA benefits by country

The table refers to printed books and children’s picture books (HS 4901, 4903), toys, puzzles and educational play sets (HS 9503) and furniture (HS 9403), with notes on stationery (HS 4820, 9608, 9609) and playground equipment (HS 9506). Preferential rates apply only to goods that qualify as Korean origin under the agreement’s rules and ship with a valid certificate or declaration of origin; goods bought in Korea but made elsewhere do not qualify.

Importing country	General (MFN) duty	Rate for Korean-origin goods and agreement	Other import taxes and notes
United States	Free for books (4901, 4903), toys and puzzles (9503.00.00), furniture (9403) and notebooks and exercise books (4820). Pens and pencils are dutiable, for example 4% on felt-tipped pens and markers (9608.20).	Free under the Korea-US FTA (KORUS) for the dutiable pen and pencil lines checked.	Since 24 July 2026 a Section 301 duty applies to Korean goods: where the normal column 1 rate is below 12.5%, the combined rate is raised to 12.5%. Informational materials are reported as excluded; ask your broker whether your books fall under that exclusion and how the duty applies to each other line. Source: US HTS and EY tax alerts listed below.
European Union	0% for books (4901, 4903), furniture (9403) and notebooks (4820). 4.7% for the toy lines checked (puzzles 9503 00 69, toy sets 9503 00 70). 2.7% for other outdoor game equipment (9506 99 90) and graphite pencils (9609 10 10).	0% under the Korea-EU FTA for the toy, playground and pencil lines checked.	Import VAT is charged at the rate of the member state of import; check the rate for books and for other goods in Access2Markets.
United Kingdom	0% for books, furniture (9403) and notebooks and exercise books (4820). 4% for the toy lines checked (9503 00 69, 9503 00 70). 2% for 9506 99 90 and graphite pencils.	0% under the Korea-UK FTA for the lines checked.	Books and children’s picture and painting books are zero-rated for VAT; exercise books and other stationery are standard-rated. See the UK Trade Tariff.
Japan	Free at the general rate for books (4901, 4903), toys (9503.00), furniture (9403) and other sports and outdoor game equipment (9506.99).	No preference needed for these headings because the general rate is already free. Korea and Japan are both RCEP members.	Import-stage consumption tax is not covered here; confirm with your broker. See the Japan Customs tariff schedule.
Vietnam	Check the official tariff tool: Vietnam Customs or the ASEAN Tariff Finder.	Three agreements are in force: Korea-ASEAN FTA, Korea-Vietnam FTA and RCEP. The importer chooses one and must hold that agreement’s certificate of origin.	Import-stage taxes and any import controls on printed matter are not covered here; confirm with your broker.
Thailand	Check the ASEAN Tariff Finder.	Korea-ASEAN FTA and RCEP are in force.	Confirm import-stage taxes with your broker. Thailand has a national industrial standard for toys (TIS 685).
Indonesia	Check the official tariff tool: Indonesia National Single Window. Scientific books are reported as duty-free.	Korea-ASEAN FTA, RCEP and the Korea-Indonesia CEPA (in force since January 2023) are available.	Confirm import-stage taxes with your broker. SNI certification rules are covered in the next section.
Malaysia	Check the ASEAN Tariff Finder.	Korea-ASEAN FTA and RCEP are in force.	Sales tax is charged on taxable imported goods at 5% or 10%, or a specific rate, depending on the product.
Philippines	Check the official tariff tool: Philippine Tariff Finder.	Korea-ASEAN FTA, RCEP and the Korea-Philippines FTA (in force since 31 December 2024) are available; the finder shows each schedule.	Confirm import-stage taxes with your broker.
United Arab Emirates	Check the UAE unified customs tariff through the resources listed by trade.gov.	The Korea-UAE CEPA was signed on 29 May 2024 and entered into force on 1 May 2026. Duties are phased out in stages, so check the rate for your tariff line before relying on it.	Confirm import-stage taxes with your broker. Product conformity is handled under the UAE’s ECAS scheme run by MoIAT.

Rates are for the HS headings named above and were checked in October 2026. Duty rates change and depend on the exact tariff line. Confirm with your customs broker before ordering.

Product rules and cautions for importers

Most items in a kindergarten order are children’s products, which are regulated goods in nearly every market. The importer of record is responsible for product registration, notification, testing, labelling approval and any licences in the destination country. The exporter supplies the documents needed for those filings, such as specifications, bills of materials and existing test reports. Nobody can promise in advance that a product will pass destination testing or registration.

HS classification of a mixed school order

Printed books and workbooks: HS 4901. Children’s picture, drawing and colouring books: HS 4903.
Educational toys, puzzles, blocks and play sets: HS 9503. Wheeled toys such as tricycles and scooters are in the same heading.
Playground and larger play equipment: usually HS 9506. The line between 9503 and 9506 depends on design and intended use, so ask your broker for a ruling on large items.
School desks, chairs, shelving and cubbies: HS 9403 for furniture; seats are classified separately in HS 9401.
Stationery: notebooks and exercise books in HS 4820, pens and markers in HS 9608, pencils and crayons in HS 9609.
Interactive displays and electronic boards: HS 8528 or HS 8471 depending on whether the unit works mainly as a monitor or as a data-processing machine. These are electrical goods and need separate electrical safety and radio approvals in the destination country.

Korea’s KC mark is not accepted abroad

The KC mark is Korea’s own certification mark, issued under schemes overseen by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards for goods sold in Korea. It shows that a product was assessed against Korean requirements. It is not CE marking, it is not a US Children’s Product Certificate and it is not an SNI certificate. A KC test report is useful background for a destination laboratory, but the importer still has to meet the destination rules below.

European Union: Toy Safety Directive, CE marking and EN 71

Toys sold in the EU must carry CE marking under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. The manufacturer shows conformity either by applying the harmonised standards or through a notified body. The harmonised standard series is EN 71: part 1 covers mechanical and physical properties, part 2 flammability, part 3 migration of certain elements, and part 8 covers swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use. The directive restricts CMR substances, heavy elements and allergenic fragrances.

The new Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 entered into force on 1 January 2026 and applies from 1 August 2030. Until then toys can still be placed on the market under the directive. The regulation replaces the EU declaration of conformity with a digital product passport reached through a data carrier on the toy or packaging, bans intentional use of PFAS and widens the chemical restrictions. Buyers ordering product lines they intend to sell for years should ask makers now whether they can supply the data a passport will need.

Playground equipment: EN 1176 and US guidance

Equipment for public play areas, including kindergarten yards, is not covered by the toy standards. In Europe the reference standard is EN 1176 for playground equipment, with EN 1177 for impact-absorbing surfacing. In the United States the reference is ASTM F1487 for public-use playground equipment. Installation, fall zones and surfacing are part of compliance, so the operator needs the maker’s installation drawings and should arrange a local post-installation inspection.

United States: CPSIA, ASTM F963 and the Children’s Product Certificate

A children’s product is a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children aged 12 or younger. The US importer must issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) based on testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory.
Toys must meet ASTM F963-23, which is mandatory under 16 CFR part 1250 for toys made after 20 April 2024. Lead limits for paint and accessible substrates also apply.
Products intended for children under 3 must not contain small parts. Products with small parts, small balls or marbles for older children need the prescribed choking-hazard warning on the packaging and in advertising.
From 8 July 2026 importers must file certificate data electronically with US Customs and Border Protection (CPSC eFiling). The certificate must exist before the goods ship, not after arrival.

ASEAN and Gulf markets: national standards

Indonesia: SNI is the national standard system, and a list of SNI standards is mandatory for products affecting safety and health. Certification involves laboratory testing and documentation from an importer or local business partner in Indonesia. Ask your Indonesian importer to confirm the current mandatory SNI scope for each toy line before ordering.
Thailand: the Thai industrial standard for toys is TIS 685, covering general requirements, packaging and labelling, and test methods.
Malaysia: the Malaysian toy standards are adoptions of EN 71 and ISO 8124 parts.
Vietnam: products covered by a national technical regulation (QCVN) need conformity certification and the CR mark. Confirm with your importer which regulation covers each product.
UAE: conformity of regulated imports is assessed under the ECAS scheme managed by MoIAT.

Age labelling

Age grading decides which tests apply, so it must be fixed before testing, not after. Korean packaging usually states the age in Korean and follows Korean warning formats. For export, the importer normally needs the age grade, warnings and importer details in the destination language, printed on the pack or on a sticker applied before shipment. EN 71 has a dedicated part for the graphical age-warning symbol. Tell us the required wording and we arrange stickering with the maker or at consolidation.

Copyright and translation rights for books and curricula

Buying physical copies of Korean books and using them in class is ordinary trade in goods. Translating them, photocopying workbooks, reprinting locally, or running a branded Korean curriculum or teaching method is different. Under the Berne Convention, copyright protection is automatic and the author or publisher holds the exclusive rights of reproduction and translation. You need a written licence from the rights holder for any of those uses, and a programme name or character may also be a registered trade mark. We can pass a licensing enquiry to a publisher, but the licence is a contract between you and the rights holder.

Items outside ordinary consolidation orders

Medical devices and medicines, for example first-aid devices or therapeutic equipment for special-needs classrooms, need device or drug licensing in both countries and are outside ordinary consolidation orders. For general classroom and household items see our guides to Korean household goods and K-pop goods and stationery.

What exporters in Korea need to prepare

Item-level product data. Material, dimensions, intended age and HS code for every item, because a school order mixes paper, plastic, wood, textile and electronics.
Origin proof from each maker. A certificate of origin can only be issued for items made in Korea that meet the agreement’s origin rule. Imported items repacked in Korea are invoiced separately and ship without preference.
Existing test reports and material declarations. KC reports, paint and plastic material data, and wood species for wooden toys and furniture, handed to the importer for destination testing.
Samples for destination testing. Importers often need samples tested at an accredited laboratory before the main shipment. Plan this time into the order.
Labels and marking. Destination-language age grade, warnings, importer name and address, and batch or tracking information applied before packing when the importer supplies the wording.
Rights check for printed and branded goods. Confirmation that books are genuine publisher editions and that character or brand goods come through legitimate channels.
Packing for mixed cargo. Books are heavy and furniture is bulky; cartons are weighed and measured so the packing list matches each customs line.
Incoterms stated on the quote. The quote names the Incoterm and the port or airport, so both sides know who arranges freight and insurance.

News and recent developments

Recent changes that affect buyers of Korean education products, newest first.

KOTRA’s edtech fair in Seoul brings in overseas universities and publishersSeptember 2026 · The Korea Herald Business

KOTRA and the Korea Edtech Industry Association held export consultations with 17 overseas buyers, and an e-book solution contract with Indonesian buyers was reported. It shows active demand for Korean education products in Southeast Asia.

Korea plans Korean-language classes in 70 countries by 2030August 2026 · The Korea Times

The education ministry set a target of 70 countries, up from 51, and expects far more people to sit the TOPIK exam. More schools teaching Korean means steadier demand for textbooks and classroom materials.

US replaces temporary global tariff with Section 301 dutiesJuly 2026 · EY Tax News

From 24 July 2026 Korean goods with a normal duty below 12.5% face a combined rate of 12.5%, with informational materials reported as excluded. US buyers of toys, furniture and stationery should budget for this even where the HTS rate is free.

US importers must now e-file children’s product certificatesJuly 2026 · US CPSC

From 8 July 2026 certificate data is filed electronically with customs at entry. Testing and the certificate have to be finished before a shipment of toys or children’s furniture leaves Korea.

Vietnam recognises Korean ministry textbooks as national textbooksJune 2026 · The Asia Business Daily

Korea’s education ministry reported that its Korean-language textbooks are officially recognised in Vietnam and that TOPIK counts in local university admissions. This supports demand for Korean-language learning materials there.

New EU Toy Safety Regulation enters into forceJanuary 2026 · European Commission

Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 entered into force on 1 January 2026 and applies from 1 August 2030, adding a digital product passport and tighter chemical limits. Makers have a transition period, but long-running product lines should be planned around it.

How an order works with us

Request. Send your list: book titles or levels, types of teaching aids, room sizes for furniture and play equipment, age groups, quantities and the country of import.
Sourcing and quote. We identify makers and publishers for each line, confirm which items are made in Korea, and send one quote with HS codes and the Incoterm.
Check. You review samples, photos or a video inspection, plus the specifications and test reports you need for destination testing and labelling. Your importer confirms the compliance route before production or purchase.
Proforma invoice and payment. Payment is by bank transfer against our proforma invoice. The terms are written on each quote.
Consolidation and packing. Goods from all makers are received, counted, labelled with your stickers where agreed, and packed by customs line so books, toys, furniture and stationery are easy to declare.
Documents and shipment. You receive the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, plus a certificate of origin when the goods qualify as Korean origin.

Export sourcing on Unboxing Korea is handled by HANA for U, a trading company based near Incheon, Korea. See the Korea export sourcing overview.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Korean KC mark enough to sell toys in my country?

No. The KC mark is a Korean domestic certification. In the EU toys need CE marking under the Toy Safety Directive, in the United States the importer must issue a Children’s Product Certificate based on third-party testing, and other countries apply their own national standards. A KC test report is useful background but does not replace destination compliance.

Are Korean books duty-free to import?

Printed books and children’s picture books (HS 4901 and 4903) are duty-free at the general rate in the United States, the EU, the United Kingdom and Japan as checked in October 2026. VAT or sales tax treatment differs by country: the United Kingdom zero-rates books and children’s picture books, while other countries apply their own rules. For other countries check the official tariff tool.

Can I translate or photocopy Korean workbooks for my students?

Not without a licence. Translation and reproduction are exclusive rights of the author or publisher, and protection is automatic under the Berne Convention. Buying copies lets you use those copies; translating, copying or reprinting needs written permission from the rights holder.

Who is responsible for safety testing and certification?

The importer of record in the destination country. The exporter supplies specifications, material information and existing test reports so the importer can arrange testing, certification and labelling. Passing destination tests cannot be guaranteed in advance, so test samples before committing to a large order.

Do I pay the FTA rate automatically because the goods ship from Korea?

No. The preferential rate applies only to goods that meet the agreement’s rules of origin and are covered by a valid certificate or declaration of origin. Items made in another country and bought in Korea pay the general duty rate.

Can playground equipment be tested as a toy?

Usually not. Equipment for public play areas such as a kindergarten yard falls under playground standards, EN 1176 in Europe and ASTM F1487 in the United States, not the toy standards. Small swings and slides made for family domestic use are covered by EN 71 part 8 in Europe.

Sources

US International Trade Commission, “Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (headings 4901, 4903, 4820, 9403, 9503, 9506, 9608, 9609)”, https://hts.usitc.gov/ (accessed October 2026)
EY Tax News, “USTR takes final action imposing tariffs on 60 trading partners as Section 122 tariffs expire”, https://taxnews.ey.com/news/2026-1603-ustr-takes-final-action-imposing-tariffs-on-60-trading-partners-as-section-122-tariffs-expire (accessed October 2026)
EY Global Tax News, “Section 301 tariff alert 2026-1607”, https://globaltaxnews.ey.com/news/2026-1607 (accessed October 2026)
Baker Donelson, “Forced labor Section 301 tariffs imposed to replace expiring Section 122 tariffs”, https://www.bakerdonelson.com/forced-labor-section-301-tariffs-imposed-to-replace-expiring-section-122-tariffs-what-importers-need-to-know (accessed October 2026)
PMMI, “Cross-border trade updates (Supreme Court IEEPA ruling and Section 122 tariff)”, https://www.pmmi.org/blog/cross-border-trade-updates-57 (accessed October 2026)
UK Government, “UK Integrated Online Tariff, including the Northern Ireland (EU tariff) service used for EU rates”, https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/ (accessed October 2026)
European Commission, “Access2Markets”, https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/home (accessed October 2026)
HM Revenue and Customs, “Zero rating books and printed matter (VAT Notice 701/10)”, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/zero-rating-books-and-printed-matter-for-vat-notice-70110 (accessed October 2026)
Japan Customs, “Customs tariff schedule, April 2026, chapters 49, 94 and 95”, https://www.customs.go.jp/english/tariff/2026_04_01/data/e_95.htm (accessed October 2026)
Tariff Commission of the Philippines, “Philippine Tariff Finder”, https://finder.tariffcommission.gov.ph/ (accessed October 2026)
ASEAN, “ASEAN Tariff Finder”, https://tariff-finder.asean.org/ (accessed October 2026)
Indonesia National Single Window, “INSW trade repository”, https://insw.go.id/intr (accessed October 2026)
US International Trade Administration, “Indonesia country commercial guide: import tariffs”, https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/indonesia-import-tariffs (accessed October 2026)
US International Trade Administration, “Indonesia country commercial guide: standards for trade”, https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/indonesia-standards-trade (accessed October 2026)
US International Trade Administration, “Malaysia country commercial guide: import tariffs”, https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/malaysia-import-tariffs (accessed October 2026)
US International Trade Administration, “Philippines country commercial guide: import tariffs”, https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/philippines-import-tariffs (accessed October 2026)
US International Trade Administration, “Vietnam country commercial guide: standards for trade”, https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/vietnam-standards-trade (accessed October 2026)
US International Trade Administration, “United Arab Emirates country commercial guide: import tariffs and standards for trade”, https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/united-arab-emirates-standards-trade (accessed October 2026)
US International Trade Administration, “South Korea country commercial guide: standards for trade”, https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/south-korea-standards-trade (accessed October 2026)
Wikipedia, “Free trade agreements of South Korea (entry-into-force dates)”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_trade_agreements_of_South_Korea (accessed October 2026)
European Commission, “Toy safety”, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/toys/toy-safety_en (accessed October 2026)
Noerr, “New European Toy Safety Regulation 2025/2509 comes into force”, https://www.noerr.com/en/insights/new-european-toy-safety-regulation-2025-2509-comes-into-force-key-points-at-a-glance (accessed October 2026)
Bureau Veritas, “EU Toy Safety Regulation 2025/2509 published”, https://www.cps.bureauveritas.com/newsroom/eu-toy-safety-regulation-20252509-published (accessed October 2026)
Wikipedia, “EN 71”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EN_71 (accessed October 2026)
Wikipedia, “Playground (EN 1176, EN 1177, ASTM F1487)”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playground (accessed October 2026)
Wikipedia, “Toy safety (ISO 8124, TIS 685, Malaysian standards)”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_safety (accessed October 2026)
US Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Children’s Product Certificate”, https://www.cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Testing-Certification/Childrens-Product-Certificate (accessed October 2026)
US Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Toy safety business guidance”, https://www.cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Business-Education/Toy-Safety-Business-Guidance-and-Small-Entity-Compliance-Guide (accessed October 2026)
US Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Small parts for toys and children’s products”, https://www.cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products (accessed October 2026)
WIPO, “Summary of the Berne Convention”, https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/summary_berne.html (accessed October 2026)
The Korea Herald Business, “2026 Edtech Korea Fair export consultation”, https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10879851 (accessed October 2026)
The Korea Times, “Education ministry to expand Korean language classes to 70 countries”, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/southkorea/society/20260805/education-ministry-to-expand-korean-language-classes-to-70-countries (accessed October 2026)
The Asia Business Daily, “Deputy education minister on global expansion of K-education”, https://view.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2026060509344195052 (accessed October 2026)
UAE Ministry of Economy, “UAE-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement”, https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/uae-korea-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement (accessed October 2026)

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Brand and product names belong to their owners; no affiliation is implied.

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