Korea (South) - Certification Requirements

Last update: April 22, 2013

Certification Requirements

The following requirements apply to shipments of fish and seafood exported to South Korea. Please note that there may be additional information on fish health requirements that apply to your product; this type of information is administered by the Aquatic animal Health Division.

  • For ALL live aquaculture products: Certificate for the Export of Live Finfish, their Gametes or Fertilized Eggs for Aquaculture from Canada to the Republic of Korea (AQAH-1064).
  • Live wild products (including lobsters) do not require a certificate.
  • Fresh/frozen products do not require a certificate.
  • For seal meat: Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003 (2002/05)).

Seals must be harvested from Canadian waters and the entry of seal organs and seal penis is not permitted. The following attestations must be added to the Certificate of Origin and Hygiene CFIA/ACIA 5003: "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 (OIE) in seals, and there are no associated animal health restrictions required for Canadian seal meat for human consumption."

Other Information

Tolerances or Guidelines

  • Cadmium:
    • 2.0 ppm - for molluscs
    • 1.0 ppm - for crustaceans, except swimming blue crab (Portunus trituberculata) with intestines
    • 5.0 ppm - swimming blue crab (Portunus trituberculata) with intestines
  • Copper:
    • 60.0 ppm
  • Zinc:
    • 40.0 ppm
  • Lead:
    • 1.0 ppm - for crustaceans, except swimming blue crab (Portunus trituberculata) with intestines
    • 2.0 ppm - swimming blue crab (Portunus trituberculata) with intestines
    • 0.3 ppm - all other products
  • Mercury:
    • 0.5 ppm - except for shark, tuna and grouper

Antibiotics are prohibited.

Food Additives Approved

  • Redfish: Sustane Emulsion T
  • Antioxidant composed of Butylated hydroxytoluene.

Further information can be obtained from the Korean Food and Drug Administration.