Importing Korean food in a mixed container: duties and rules
For Korean grocery stores and Asian food importers abroad who buy instant noodles, sauces, seaweed (gim), snacks and drinks from many Korean manufacturers at once. It covers HS headings, duties and FTA rates by country, food import rules, and how shelf life and temperature are handled when many small lots share one container.
Request a quoteDuties and FTA by countryLast checked: October 2026
How do overseas grocers import Korean food from many makers in one container?
| Typical order | Why direct buying is hard | How consolidation solves it |
|---|---|---|
| A few pallets each of instant noodles, sauces, gim, snacks and drinks from around 30 manufacturers | Each maker has its own minimum order, export paperwork and delivery date. Many small food makers do not export directly at all. | One purchase list is placed across the makers, the lots are received at one warehouse and loaded together, and you get one set of shipping documents. |
| Ambient goods plus chilled items such as kimchi, tteok or fish cake | Dry and chilled goods cannot travel at the same set temperature, and a short-dated chilled lot can expire while waiting for the rest of the order. | Ambient lots go in a dry container. Chilled or frozen lots are planned as a separate reefer shipment or timed to arrive at the port just before loading. |
| Repeat orders every one or two months | Production dates differ lot by lot, so some goods can arrive with too little shelf life left to sell or to pass import rules. | Production and expiry dates are recorded per lot before payment, and short-dated lots are flagged so you can drop or replace them. |
| Products that need registration, a local-language label or halal proof | Each manufacturer has to supply ingredient lists, specifications and certificates, often in different formats. | Documents are collected from each maker in one pass and sent to you for your filings. Sticker labels you supply can be applied before loading where the destination allows it. |
Import duties and FTA benefits by country
The table uses instant noodles (HS 1902.30) as the main reference line, with sauces (2103.90), baked snacks (1905.90) and sweetened soft drinks (2202.10) where a rate could be confirmed. Preferential rates apply only to goods that qualify as Korean origin under the agreement 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 | 1902.30.00 instant noodles: 6.4%. 2103.90.90 other sauces: 6.4%. 1905.90.90 other baked snacks: 4.5%. 2202.10.00 sweetened waters and soft drinks: 0.2 cents per litre. | Free under KORUS on each of these lines in the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule. | An additional Section 301 duty has applied since 24 July 2026. For Korean products it tops up the normal duty so that the combined rate is generally 12.5%, unless the tariff line is on an exemption list. The summaries we read do not say that KORUS duty-free goods are spared, so budget for it and confirm the line with your broker. It replaced a 10% Section 122 surcharge that ran from 24 February to 24 July 2026. |
| European Union | 1902 30 10 dried instant noodles: 6.4% plus EUR 24.6 per 100 kg. | The EU-Korea FTA has applied since 2011 and removes 98.7% of duties on goods. Check the rate for your exact line on Access2Markets. | Import VAT is set by each member state. Products with animal-origin ingredients fall under the composite product rules described below. |
| Vietnam | 1902.30.40 instant noodles: 30%. 2103.90.29 other sauces and seasoning mixes: 30%. | Instant noodles: 0% under the Korea-Vietnam FTA, 5% under the Korea-ASEAN FTA, 15% under RCEP. Sauces line: 0% under all three. | VAT is listed at 8% for both lines in the 2026 tariff database we used. Each agreement has its own origin form (VK, AK or RCEP). |
| Thailand | Check the official tariff tool. The Korea Customs FTA portal is a starting point. | Korea-ASEAN FTA and RCEP are both in force. Check the rate by line. | VAT 7%, in effect until 30 September 2027 unless extended. Non-alcoholic drinks also carry excise that rises with sugar content. |
| Indonesia | 1902.30 lines including instant noodles: 20%, per a commercial tariff database. Confirm before ordering. | Three agreements are in force: Korea-ASEAN FTA, RCEP and the Korea-Indonesia CEPA (since 1 January 2023). Check the rate by line with your broker. | Import VAT and other import taxes apply; confirm with your broker. Halal certification becomes mandatory for imported food and drink on 17 October 2026. |
| Malaysia | Check the official tariff tool. The Korea Customs FTA portal is a starting point. | Korea-ASEAN FTA and RCEP are in force. No bilateral Korea-Malaysia FTA was listed as signed or in force when we checked. | Sales and service tax may apply; confirm with your broker. |
| Philippines | Check the Philippine Tariff Finder. | Korea-ASEAN FTA, RCEP and the Korea-Philippines FTA (in force since 31 December 2024). Compare the three schedules in the same tool. | VAT applies on import; confirm the rate and any excise on sweetened drinks with your broker. |
| UAE and GCC | Check the official tariff tool. The UAE Ministry of Economy links a rate lookup from its Korea CEPA page. | The Korea-UAE CEPA entered into force on 1 May 2026 and removes duties on about 91.2% of tariff lines over up to 10 years, some from day one. The Korea-GCC FTA was signed in December 2023 but was not listed as in force when we checked. | UAE excise on sweetened drinks moved to a tiered model based on sugar per 100 ml on 1 January 2026. Energy drinks stay at 100% excise. |
| Japan | Check the Japan Customs tariff schedule (chapter 19 for noodles and snacks). | RCEP, in force since 1 February 2022, is the agreement that covers Korea-Japan trade. Check the RCEP (Korea) column by line. | Consumption tax applies on import; confirm the rate with your broker. |
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
HS headings for a typical Korean grocery order
- Instant noodles (ramyeon): heading 1902, normally subheading 1902.30.
- Sauces and pastes (gochujang, ssamjang, soy-based sauces, seasoning mixes): heading 2103.
- Seaweed (gim, laver): plain dried seaweed is normally declared under 1212, while roasted or seasoned gim is treated as a prepared food and usually falls under 2008. The line changes the duty rate and sometimes the registration category, so agree it with your broker before the first shipment.
- Confectionery and snacks: sugar confectionery under 1704, biscuits, crackers and other baked snacks under 1905.
- Soft drinks: sweetened or flavoured non-alcoholic drinks under 2202.
Who is responsible for registration
Food is a regulated product. The importer of record in the destination country is responsible for the import licence, product registration or notification, label approval and any other permits. The exporter supplies the documents needed for those filings, such as ingredient lists, specifications and manufacturer certificates. Nobody on the export side can promise that a registration will be approved, and a product that is not yet registered should not be loaded.
Thailand: Thai FDA
The importer must be a company registered in Thailand and must hold a food import licence (Form Orr. 7) for approved storage premises. Most products then need their own registration and a 13-digit food serial number before sale, with the form depending on the food category. The Thai FDA also asks for evidence that the manufacturer meets GMP standards. Labels must be in Thai and carry the serial number, importer details, ingredients, allergens, expiry date and storage instructions.
Indonesia: BPOM and halal
Imported processed food needs BPOM registration, filed by the local importer or agent on behalf of the foreign manufacturer. The registration is valid for five years, and each shipment also needs a BPOM import certificate (SKI). Labels must be in Indonesian. From 17 October 2026 imported food and drink must be halal certified. The Indonesian importer registers the foreign halal certificate with BPJPH through its SiHalal portal. Products with non-halal content can still be imported but must be clearly labelled as non-halal, and a 2026 BPJPH regulation tightened that labelling. A separate 2026 BPJPH regulation adds a halal assurance report to the customs declaration for each shipment of halal-certified imports. Ask your importer how these apply to each item, because some Korean noodles and snacks contain pork- or beef-derived seasoning.
Malaysia
Halal certification is generally voluntary for imported food but is mandatory for animal products other than pork and their derivatives. A product may only be described as halal if it is certified by a foreign halal body that JAKIM recognises, and the label must name that body.
UAE and the wider GCC
Labels must be in Arabic; English may be added, and Arabic stickers are accepted in Dubai. The Gulf labelling standard GSO 9 sets the mandatory label items, including production and expiry dates, ingredients in descending order, allergens, storage instructions and country of origin. In Dubai, importers register themselves and each product in the municipality’s food import system (FIRS). Labels showing banned ingredients such as alcohol are a common reason for rejection.
United States: FDA
Each foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs or holds the food must be registered with the FDA and renew every two years. The FDA must receive prior notice of every food shipment before it arrives. The US importer must run a Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) to verify that each supplier’s safety controls are adequate. With 30 manufacturers in one container, that means 30 supplier files. Labels must be in English. Makers of low-acid canned or acidified foods also have to register and file their processes.
European Union: composite products and ethylene oxide
A food that contains both plant ingredients and processed animal-origin ingredients is a composite product under EU law. This matters for Korean noodles because the seasoning sachet often contains meat extract, seafood, egg or milk powder. Products containing any meat product need an official health certificate. Shelf-stable products without meat need a private attestation from the importer, and dairy and egg ingredients must come from EU-approved sources. The main rules are Regulations (EU) 2022/2292, 2020/2235 and 2021/404. One option is to buy versions made without meat ingredients, where the manufacturer offers them.
After ethylene oxide related residues were found in Korean noodles shipped to Europe in 2021, the EU required extra testing and a Korean government certificate for each shipment from February 2022. That requirement was eased in July 2023. In January 2023, Taiwan reported ethylene oxide in the seasoning of one Korean cup noodle product and the Thai FDA suspended its sale. In June 2024, Denmark recalled three very spicy Korean noodle products over their capsaicin content. Residue and additive limits differ by country, so ask each manufacturer for the export specification and a recent test report for your destination.
Shelf life and temperature
- Ask for the production date and expiry date of every lot before you confirm. Some countries and many retailers require a minimum remaining shelf life at arrival, so check the rule with your importer.
- Count transit time, customs clearance and label work against the shelf life. Snacks and some drinks have much shorter dating than noodles or sauces.
- Chilled and frozen goods need a reefer container at a set temperature and cannot share a dry container with ambient goods. Plan them as a separate shipment.
- Chocolate-coated snacks, jellies, gim and carbonated drinks are sensitive to heat and humidity in a dry container on tropical routes. Discuss loading position, desiccants and season with the forwarder.
- Medical devices and prescription products need device or drug licensing in both countries and are outside ordinary consolidation orders. Health functional foods are also registered differently from ordinary food in most countries.
For restaurant-side supplies see the guide to Korean restaurant and franchise supplies. If you plan to repack or label locally, see Korean food packaging machinery.
What exporters in Korea need to prepare
- A commercial invoice and packing list that list every product separately with its HS code, manufacturer, net weight, lot number, production date and expiry date.
- Proof of origin from each manufacturer. A product only gets a certificate of origin if it meets the origin rule of the agreement used, so imported-brand items and goods made outside Korea are listed as non-originating.
- The correct origin form for the destination: for example Form VK or AK for Vietnam, the RCEP form, or an origin declaration for the EU, where shipments above EUR 6,000 need approved exporter status.
- Ingredient lists, specifications, manufacturing process outlines and manufacturer certificates for the importer’s product registration, plus halal certificates and test reports where the destination asks for them.
- For the United States, the FDA registration details of each manufacturer and the information the importer needs for prior notice and FSVP.
- A check of which version of a product is being bought. Domestic-market and export versions of the same noodle can differ in ingredients, label language and additive levels.
- Local-language sticker labels agreed with the importer, and applied before loading only if the destination allows stickering at origin.
- Agreed Incoterms and a loading plan that keeps ambient, chilled and frozen goods apart and puts heavy drinks and sauces below light snacks and noodles.
News and recent developments
Export records, new trade agreements and tighter halal and tariff rules all changed the picture for Korean food buyers in the past year.
Exports reached USD 10 billion in 253 days, 19 days sooner than in 2025, with ramyeon up 27.2% to USD 1.31 billion. Shipments to the UAE rose 49.9%. Strong demand can mean tighter allocation of popular items for small buyers.
Two 2026 BPJPH regulations add a per-shipment halal assurance report for certified imports and stricter non-halal labels. Importers of Korean food into Indonesia need to sort each item into halal-certified or labelled non-halal.
From 24 July 2026 new Section 301 duties cover 60 economies. For Korea the duty is calculated net of the normal rate up to 12.5%, with product exemption lists, so US buyers should recheck landed cost line by line.
The agreement took effect on 1 May 2026 and phases out duties on about 91.2% of tariff lines over up to 10 years. UAE importers can now ask for a CEPA certificate of origin on qualifying Korean food.
Seaweed exports rose 13.7% and made up about a third of Korea’s record USD 3.3 billion in seafood exports. Japan, China and the United States are the main markets.
K-Food Plus exports reached USD 13.62 billion in 2025. Ramyeon grew 21.9% to USD 1.5 billion and sauces 4.6% to USD 411.9 million; the United States was the largest market at USD 1.8 billion.
How an order works with us
- Request. Send your product list with brands, pack sizes and quantities, the destination country, and whether you need ambient, chilled or frozen goods. Tell us which items are already registered with your food authority.
- Sourcing and quote. We check availability and minimum lots with each manufacturer or distributor and send one quote covering all items, with the production and expiry dates we can obtain.
- Check. Before payment you can review label photos, ingredient lists and lot dates, and ask for samples or a video inspection of the goods. We also collect the documents your importer needs for registration.
- Proforma invoice and payment. Payment is by bank transfer against our proforma invoice. The terms are written on each quote.
- Consolidation and packing. Lots from each maker are received, counted and checked against lot dates, then palletised and loaded with ambient and temperature-controlled goods kept apart.
- 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
Can chilled and ambient Korean food go in the same container?
Not at the same temperature setting. Ambient goods such as noodles, sauces, gim and snacks travel in a dry container, while chilled or frozen goods need a reefer container at a set temperature. Buyers usually ship them separately or move the chilled part as a smaller reefer or air shipment.
Do Korean instant noodles get a zero duty rate under an FTA?
It depends on the country and the exact tariff line. In the United States, HS 1902.30.00 is free under KORUS before the additional Section 301 duty. In Vietnam the instant noodle line is 0% under the Korea-Vietnam FTA. In every case the goods must qualify as Korean origin and ship with a valid certificate or declaration of origin.
Who registers the products with the Thai FDA, BPOM or the US FDA?
The importer of record in the destination country files product registrations, label approvals and import licences. Korean manufacturers register their own facilities with the US FDA. The exporter collects the supporting documents from each manufacturer, but approval is decided by the regulator.
Can Korean noodles with meat-based seasoning be imported into the EU?
Only if they meet the EU composite product rules. Products containing any meat product need an official health certificate, and animal-origin ingredients must come from sources the EU accepts. Versions made without meat ingredients are simpler to clear, where the manufacturer offers them.
Do all Korean foods need halal certification for Indonesia?
From 17 October 2026 imported food and drink must be halal certified, with the foreign certificate registered by the Indonesian importer. Products with non-halal content can still be imported but must carry a clear non-halal label.
What shelf life should I expect on arrival?
It varies by product and by lot. Ask for production and expiry dates of each lot before confirming, subtract transit and clearance time, and check whether your country or your retail customers require a minimum remaining shelf life.
Sources
- US International Trade Commission, “Harmonized Tariff Schedule search: 1902.30, 2103.90, 1905.90, 2202.10”, https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/search?keyword=1902.30 (accessed October 2026)
- Global Trade Alert, “From IEEPA to Section 122: what changed on 20 February 2026”, https://globaltradealert.org/blog/from-ieepa-to-section-122 (accessed October 2026)
- Global Trade Alert, “Forced-labour Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies take effect on 24 July”, https://globaltradealert.org/blog/forced-labour-section-301-final-action (accessed October 2026)
- Morgan Lewis, “US administration rebuilds global tariff program under Section 301”, https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2026/07/us-administration-rebuilds-global-tariff-program-under-section-301 (accessed October 2026)
- GHY International, “Section 301 forced labor tariffs on 60 economies, effective July 24”, https://www.ghy.com/trade-compliance/ustr-section-301-forced-labor-60-economies/ (accessed October 2026)
- GingerControl, “Section 122 tariffs: expiration date, 2026 status and what comes next”, https://gingercontrol.com/blog/section-122-tariffs-explained (accessed October 2026)
- Tariffnumber.com (EU TARIC data), “Commodity code 19023010”, https://www.tariffnumber.com/2026/19023010 (accessed October 2026)
- European Commission, Access2Markets, “EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement”, https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-south-korea-free-trade-agreement (accessed October 2026)
- Caselaw Vietnam, “HS code 19023040 import tariff 2026”, https://caselaw.vn/chi-tiet-ma-hs/19023040 (accessed October 2026)
- Caselaw Vietnam, “HS code 21039029 import tariff 2026”, https://caselaw.vn/chi-tiet-ma-hs/21039029 (accessed October 2026)
- Treayo, “Indonesia tariff, heading 1902”, https://treayo.com/en/hs/indonesia/h/1902 (accessed October 2026)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries, “Thailand: other taxes”, https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/thailand/corporate/other-taxes (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)
- UAE Ministry of Economy, “United Arab Emirates – Republic of Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement”, https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/uae-korea-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement (accessed October 2026)
- PwC Middle East, “UAE excise tax: new tiered-volumetric model for sweetened drinks”, https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/services/tax/me-tax-legal-news/2025/uae-excise-tax-new-tiered-volumetric-model-of-excise-tax-for-sweetened-drinks.html (accessed October 2026)
- Korea Customs Service, “FTA portal (English)”, https://www.customs.go.kr/engportal/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=7311&cntntsId=2333 (accessed October 2026)
- Philippine Tariff Commission, “Philippine Tariff Finder”, https://finder.tariffcommission.gov.ph/ (accessed October 2026)
- Japan Customs, “Customs tariff schedule, April 2026, chapter 19”, https://www.customs.go.jp/english/tariff/2026_04_01/data/e_19.htm (accessed October 2026)
- Thai Food and Drug Administration, “How to apply for permission on food”, https://en.fda.moph.go.th/entrepreneurs-food/category/how-to-apply-for-permission-on-food/ (accessed October 2026)
- Emerhub, “How to register food products in Thailand”, https://emerhub.com/thailand/how-to-register-food-products-in-thailand/ (accessed October 2026)
- ChemLinked, “Indonesia processed food regulation”, https://food.chemlinked.com/foodpedia/indonesia-processed-food-regulation (accessed October 2026)
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, “Complying with Indonesian halal requirements”, https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/complying-indonesian-halal-requirements (accessed October 2026)
- German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Indonesien), “Indonesia tightens halal and non-halal compliance requirements for imported products”, https://indonesien.ahk.de/en/infohub_news/indonesia-tightens-halal-and-non-halal-compliance-requirements-for-imported-products (accessed October 2026)
- ChemLinked, “Decoding the regulatory framework for imported halal foods in Malaysia”, https://food.chemlinked.com/expert-article/decoding-the-regulatory-framework-for-imported-halal-foods-in-malaysia (accessed October 2026)
- Al Tamimi and Company, “Labeling of foodstuff in Dubai”, https://www.tamimi.com/law-update-articles/labeling-of-foodstuff-in-dubai (accessed October 2026)
- US Food and Drug Administration, “Importing human foods”, https://www.fda.gov/industry/importing-fda-regulated-products/importing-human-foods (accessed October 2026)
- Government of Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, “Importing composite products”, https://www.gov.ie/en/service/9099e-importing-composite-food-products (accessed October 2026)
- Asia News Network / The Korea Herald, “EU eases export rules on Korean ramen”, https://asianews.network/?p=99089 (accessed October 2026)
- Bangkok Post, “FDA pulls pesticide-laced pot noodles”, https://bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2492434/fda-pulls-pesticide-laced-pot-noodles (accessed October 2026)
- Asia News Network, “Denmark recalls 3 types of Buldak ramyeon for extreme spiciness”, https://asianews.network/?p=152357 (accessed October 2026)
- The Korea Herald, “K-food exports hit $10b at record pace on ramyeon boom”, https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10872660 (accessed October 2026)
- SeafoodSource, “Seaweed drives South Korea seafood exports to record high”, https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/seaweed-drives-south-korea-seafood-exports-to-record-high (accessed October 2026)
- The Korea Times, “Korea’s food exports hit record high in 2025”, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/economy/20260112/koreas-food-exports-hit-record-high-in-2025 (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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