Food Industry Association: "Simplified Export Procedures to China to Reduce Annual Losses of Food Companies by 370 Billion Won"

Batch Registration Replaces Individual Applications
Administrative Processing Time Reduced from 3 Months to 10 Days
Lower Risk of Customs Rejection and Supplementation Requests Expected

The Korea Food Industry Association has projected that, with the streamlining of export procedures to China through an intergovernmental agreement, domestic food companies could reduce annual costs and sales losses by approximately 370 billion won. The association analyzed that the administrative procedures and customs clearance risks that companies have faced during the export process to China will be significantly alleviated.

On January 17, the Food Industry Association expressed its welcome for the 'Korea-China Food Safety Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)' signed between the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the General Administration of Customs of China. The agreement includes provisions for the exchange of information on food safety laws and regulations, the provision of information on non-compliant imported foods, cooperation for on-site inspections, and collaboration on the registration of export food company lists.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, with the signing of this MOU, domestic food companies wishing to export to China will now be able to complete the registration process collectively through the government, rather than applying individually to Chinese authorities. As a result, the administrative processing period, which previously took more than three months, is expected to be reduced to about 10 days.

With the establishment of a system in which the government directly guarantees and registers the safety of export foods, the credibility of the Chinese authorities is also expected to increase. It is anticipated that the likelihood of additional supplementation requests or rejections during customs clearance will decrease, and the conditions for mid-sized and small food companies, which often lack personnel and information, to enter the Chinese market will improve.

The scope of products eligible for export to China has also been expanded through the 'Memorandum of Understanding on Hygiene for the Import and Export of Wild Aquatic Products' signed alongside this agreement. The export target, previously limited to 206 items, has been broadened to include all natural aquatic products (chilled and frozen), enabling products that were previously restricted due to hygiene assessments to enter the Chinese market.

This achievement is described as the result of ongoing consultations between the government and the industry. At the 15th Korea-China Food Safety Cooperation Committee meeting held on December 11 last year, government officials from both countries met with domestic export companies to discuss difficulties faced during customs clearance, and the association conveyed the industry's opinions during this process.

The association plans to hold a briefing session for its members together with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety next month to ensure that the changes in the system are stably implemented in the field. The session will provide guidance on changes to the registration procedures for companies exporting to China and the main contents of the agreement.

An association official stated, "This agreement will serve as a significant turning point in solidifying the trust in the safety management of our food in China, one of the largest markets for K-Food, and in enhancing export stability. We will continue to strengthen our support system for companies of all sizes, from large corporations to mid-sized and small businesses, to further improve the global competitiveness of our food industry."