Reducing On-site Inspections for Seafood Exports... 'Shorter Duration & Lower Costs, Enhanced Competitiveness'

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] To reduce the inspection period and costs for seafood exports, on-site inspections, which usually take two days, will be replaced by document inspections.

The National Fishery Products Quality Management Service announced on the 27th that starting March 1, it will increase the proportion of document inspections from the current 20% to 60% to enhance the competitiveness of exported seafood.

In 2019, domestic seafood export inspections totaled 33,412 cases, with on-site inspections accounting for 23,544 cases, or 70%. Document inspections (6,656 cases) and detailed inspections (3,212 cases) accounted for only 20% and 10%, respectively.

An official from the NFQS explained, "Most seafood exporters were able to receive export inspection certificates and export their products after passing on-site inspections conducted by NFQS inspectors. Since on-site inspections usually take about two days, domestic exporters have had difficulties responding quickly to urgent orders or quantity adjustments requested by overseas buyers."

After reviewing export inspection status and manufacturing facility management over the past five years, the NFQS confirmed that among an average of 27,000 annual export inspections, the non-compliance rate was only 0.2%, and the non-compliance rate for on-site hygiene inspections of manufacturing facilities was about 1%, indicating that exported products are hygienically produced and managed. Accordingly, starting next month, on-site inspections will be replaced by document inspections only for targets with secured safety, reducing the burden on seafood exporters. The document inspection applies to export products produced in manufacturing facilities registered with the NFQS that receive regular on-site hygiene management.

With the expanded implementation of the seafood export document inspection system, the inspection period will be shortened from the original two days to as little as three hours, enabling faster export procedures. The NFQS expects this will also help secure export competitiveness by reducing costs such as frozen storage fees (10.64 million KRW annually).

Yang Dong-yeop, head of the NFQS, said, "With the implementation of the seafood export document inspection and the linked online issuance service of export certificates, the time required for seafood exports is expected to be greatly reduced. We will continue to improve the inspection system as part of the government innovation project 'Public Service Innovation to Enhance Citizen Convenience'."