G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
20 December 2019  
(19-8910) Page: 1/11 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 REPLIES TO QUESTIONN AIRE ON IMPORT LICEN SING PROCEDURES1 
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 7.3 OF THE AG REEMENT  
ON IMPORT LICENSING PRO CEDURES  (2019)  
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 
The following communication2, dated 1 October 201 9, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Korea.  
 
_______________  
 
Outline of System  
1.  By embracing the principle of free trade, Korea has continued to reduce  its trade-related 
regulations . In this context, restrictions on trade, if any, are limited to the very minim um necessary.  
  
In principle, n o licensing (since 1 July 1993), registration (since 1 March  1997) or notification (since 
1 January 2000) is required for import ers and export ers.    
 
The Foreign Trade Act is the basic law that governs international trade between Korea and other 
countries. Specific items for which exports and/or imports are restricted are listed under  the Export -
Import Notice published by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE). However,  at present, 
no item is subject to import restrictions under  the Export -Import Notice except aircraft parts . 
 
In addition to the Foreign Trade Act, 58 separate laws also stipulate approval or authorization 
requirements for certain  items, and such items can be imported by obtaining certification s and  
approval . These requirements are in place  mostly for the protection of morals, human health, 
hygiene and sanitation, animal and plant life, aquatic animal and aquatic plant health,  environmental 
conservation or essential security interests in compliance with domestic legislation obligation s or 
international commitments.  
 
To enhance transparency and for the convenience of trading companies, M OTIE has update d the 
Consolidated Public Notice  containing all export and import certification requirements covered by  the 
58 separate laws.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. As of September 2011, there are no quantitative import restriction s. In addition,  rice has not 
been subject to quantitative import restrictions since 2015 due to "ta rification" . Import -
related requirements provided by the 58 separate laws  pertain to petroleum, agricultural fertilizers, 
crop seeds, animals and animal products, nuclear materials, narcotics, foods and food additives, 
firearms and explosives , etc. 
 
3.  The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.  
4.  No import -related regulations are intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports .  
Rather, they are maintained in or der to protect national security, human, animal or plant life or 
                                                
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.  
2 New updates have been highlighted in bold in the text. 
 G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  health, and the environment, etc. in accordance with the provisions of Articles XX and  XXI of GATT 
1994, other WTO Agreements and other international rules or agreements.  
 
5.  The import approval system is enforced under the Foreign Trade Act, the Enforcement Decree of 
the Foreign Trade Act, the Foreign Trade Management Regulation and the Export -Import Notice.  
 
The import -related requirements are set forth in the 58 domestic laws in  the Consolidated Public 
Notice.  A list of these laws is attached in Annex I. The detailed conditions for approval are prescribed 
in enforcement decrees or regulations for the above -mentioned 58 domestic laws.  
 
Procedures  
6. I.-X. Not applicable.    
 
XI. No. 
 
7.  Not applicable.   
 
8.  An application for approval cannot be rejected if it satisfies the established criteria.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. (a, b)  No licensing (since 1 July 1993), registration (since 30 De cember 1996) or notification 
(since 1 January 2000) is required to be come an  importer or exporter.  
 
For statistical purposes only, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), a private 
organization, assigns upon request a trade business number to any one who wishes to carry out trade 
business.   
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for licence  
10.  An offer sheet or a copy of the contract and other necessary documents must be submitted 
together with the application . 
 
(a)  Attach ment:  one set of s ample form3 
 
11.  In the case of import -restricted items, the import declaration, import approval, commercial 
invoice, Bill of Lading and other necessary documents must be submitted.  
 
12.  There is no licensing fee or administrative charge.  
 
13.  There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. In principle, the period of validity for import approval is one year.  However, th is period can be 
extended or shortened, depending on specific circumstances, w hen the approval is issued by the 
relevant administrative agency . 
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilisation of a licence or a portion of a licence.  
 
16. Licences are non-transferable between importers.  
 
17. There are no other  conditions associated w ith the issuing of a licence.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and other similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation.  
 
                                                
3 In English and Korean only.  G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  19. Foreign exchange is provided automat ically for goods to be imported under the standard 
settlement method.  G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  ANNEX I  
The following tables briefly outline  the items subject to import -related requirements and the 
administrative organizations under the 58 domestic laws.  Each Ministry  is responsible for the  
application of the laws whose procedures or requirements fall under its authority.  
 
1.  Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Petroleum and Alternative Fuel 
Business Act  (change of name ) Petroleum, Petroleum products  Ministry  
High Pressure Gas Safety Control 
Act High pressure gas, container and 
facilities  Korea Gas Safety Corporation  
Safety control and Business of 
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act  Gas appliances  Korea Gas Safety Corporation  
Act on the Control , Etc. of 
Manufacture of Specific 
Substances for the Protection of 
the Ozone Layer   Controlled substances under the 
Montreal Protocol  Ministry  
Electrical Appliances and 
Consumer Products Safety Control 
Act 
(consolidated : Quality 
Management and Safety 
Control of Industrial Products 
Act, Electric Appliances Safety 
Control Act ) Electrical appliances, consumer 
products, packaging for children’ s 
products  Korean  Agency for Technology and 
Standards  
Act on the Control of the 
Manufacture, Export and Import, 
Etc. of Specific Chemicals and 
Chemical Agents for the 
Prohibition of Chemical and 
Biological Weapons  Specific chemicals, Biological 
agents (Pathogens for Humans, 
Animals and Plants) and Toxins  Ministry  
Special Act on the Safety of 
Products for Children  (new) Children’ s products  Korean Agency for Technology 
and Standards  
Measures Act  Legal measuring instruments  Korea Testing Certification  
Korea Testing Laboratory  
Energy Use Rationalization Act  
(new) 
 Efficiency Management 
Machinery, Equipment, or 
Materials  National Energy -Saving 
Promotion Committee  
 
2.  Ministry of Agriculture,  Food & Rural Affairs  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Fertilizer  Control  Act (change of 
name ) Agricultural fertilizer  Ministry  
Pesticide Control  Law Pesticides  Rural Development Administration  
Act on the Prevention of 
Contagious Animal Diseases  
(change of name ) Animals and animal products  Animal and Plant Quarantine 
Agency  
Seed Industry Law  Seeds  Rural Development Administration  
Korea Seed Association  
National Seed Management Office  G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Grain Management Act  Grain  Ministry  
Control of Livestock and Fish Feed 
Act (change of name ) Feed specified and publicly notified 
by the Ministry  National Agricultural Cooperative 
Federation  
Feed-related organization  
Livestock Industry Act Breeding stocks , 
Semen, ovum, fertilized egg for the 
purpose of artificial insemination  Ministry  
Act on the Promotion of 
Environment -Friendly Agriculture 
and Fisheries and the Management 
of and Support for Organic Foods,  
etc. Certified products labelled as 
organic,  
Organic processed foods that have 
obtained equivalency recognition  Ministry  
National Agricultural Products 
Quality Management Service  
Agricultural and Fishery Products 
Quality Control Act  Silkworm egg s Local Sericulture Institution  
 
3.  Korea Forest Service  
 
Law Product covered  Related administrative 
organization  
Act on the Sustainable use of 
Timbers   Raw Timbers, Timber Products  Korea Forest Service  
 
4.  Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning  
 
Law Product covered  Related administrative 
organization  
Radio Waves Act  Radio, Tele communication , and 
EMC equipment  National Radio Research Agency  
(Communications Conformity 
Assessment Center ) 
 
5.  Ministry of the Interior and Safety / (previous) Ministry  of Government Administration and 
Home Affairs  
 
Law Product covered  Related administrative 
organization  
The Local Tax Law  Tobacco  Admin istrative local governments  
 
6.  Ministry of Food and Drug Safety  (reorganization: previous) Ministry of Health and Welfare  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Safety, Management, Etc. of 
Human Tissue Act  Human tissue  Ministry  
Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
Korea Pharmaceutical Traders 
Association  
Pharmaceutical Affairs Act  Drugs, Drug substances, Quasi -
drugs  Ministry  
Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
Korea Pharmaceutical Traders 
Association   
 Korea Animal Health Product 
Association  G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Narcotics Control Act (change of 
name ) Narcotic drugs and psychotropic 
substances  
Cannabis  
Precursors of narcotic drugs and 
psychotropic substances  Ministry  
Korea Pharmaceutical Traders' 
Association  
Cosmetic s Act  Cosmetics  Ministry  
Korea Pharmaceutical Traders 
Association  
Food Sanitation Act  
 Food, food additives, apparatus, 
container s and package s Ministry  
Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
Medical Device s Act 
 Medical devices  Ministry  
Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
Korea Medical Devices Industry 
Association  
Health Functional  Foods Act  
 Health functional food s Ministry  
Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
Livestock Products Sanitary 
Control Act (revision: previous 
Processing of Livestock 
Products Act ) Livestock products  Ministry  
Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
Special Act on Imported Food 
Safety Control (new) Food, food additives, 
apparatus, container s and 
package s 
Health functional food  
Livestock products  Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
Hygiene Products Control Act 
(new) Hygiene products  Ministry  
Regional Food and Drug 
Administration  
 
7.  Ministry of Employment and Labour  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Occupational Safety and Health Act  Harmful substances (e.g. yellow 
phosphorous matches, benzidine)  Local labour administration  
New chemical substances (e.g. 
chemical elements, radioactive 
substances)   
Safeguarding measures (e.g. 
safeguarding measures against 
press)  Korea Occupational Safety  & 
Health Agency  
Harmful or hazardous equipment 
(e.g. cranes, lifts)  Korea Occupational Safety  & 
Health Agency  
Protective equipment (e.g. safety 
helmet)  Korea Occupational Safety  & 
Health Agency  
 G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  8.  Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Promotion of the Motion Pictures 
and Video Products Act  Film and video content  Korea Media Rating Board  
Local governments  
Game Industr y Promotion Act  Video game  content  Game Rating  and Administration 
Committee  
Music Industr y Promotion Act  Music,  Music content, Records, 
Music files  Korea Media Rating Board  
 
9. Ministry of National Defen se 
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Defen se Acquisition Program  
Act Defense materials  Defen se Acquisition Program  
Administration  
 
10. Korean National Police Agency  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Act on the Safety Management 
of Guns, Swords, Explosives 
etc. (change of name ) 
 Firearms, swords and explosives  Agency  
 
11. Ministry of Economy and Finance (previous)  National Tax Administration  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Liquor Tax Act  
 Liquor  District tax offices  
 
12.  Ministry of Environment  
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Chemicals Control Act  (change of 
name ) Chemical substances  Basin Environmental Offices or 
Regional Environmental Offices  
Act on Registration, Evaluation, 
etc. of Chemicals (new)  
 Chemical substances  Korea Environment Corporation 
National Institute of 
Environmental Research  
Wildlife Protection and Management 
Act Animals and plants detrimental to 
the ecosystem  Basin Environmental Offices or 
Regional Environmental Offices  
Endangered wild animals and plants  Basin Environmental Offices or 
Regional Environmental Offices  
Wild animals  Local governments  
International trade in endangered 
species of wild fauna and flora  Basin Environmental Offices or 
Regional Environmental Offices  
Drinking Water Management Act  Bottled water, water treatment 
chemicals and containers  Basin Environmental Offices or 
Regional Environmental Offices  G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Act on the Transboundary Movements 
of Hazardous Wastes and Their 
Disposal  Wastes  Basin Environmental Offices or 
Regional Environmental Offices  
Act on the Promotion of Saving and 
Recycling of Resources  Waste charge system  
Products and packing materials 
subject to recycling etc.  Korea Environment Corporation  
Act on Conservation and Use of 
Biological Diversity  Biological resources  Korea Biodiversity Resources System  
Wastes Control Act  Wastes  
- garbage, burnt refuse, sludge, 
waste oil, waste acid, waste alkali, 
and animal carcasses  Korea Waste Association  
Act on Resource Circulation of 
Electrical and Electronic Equipment 
and Vehicles  Resources used in electrical and 
electronic equipment and vehicles  Ministry  
Noise and Vibration Control Act  Motor vehicles, etc.  National Institute of Environmental 
Research  
Sewerage Act  Kitchen waste grinders  Ministry  
Clean Air Conservation Act  (change 
of name )  Motor vehicles, etc.  National Institute of Environmental 
Research  
Persistent Organic Pollutants 
Control Act (new)  Persistent organic pollutants  Ministry  
Act on Chemical Products and 
Biocides  (new)   Chemical Products and Biocides  Korea Environmental Industry 
& Technology Institute  
National Institute of 
Environmental Research  
Basin Environmental Offices or 
Regional Environmental Offices  
 
13. Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport   
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Motor Vehicle Managem ent Act  Motor vehicles  Ministry  
Construction Machinery 
Management Act  Construction machineries  Ministry  
 
14. Ministry of  Oceans and Fisheries ( new) 
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Fisheries Act  Marine animals and plants  Ministry  
Aquatic Life Disease Control Act  Aquatic animals and their 
products,  
Aquatic plants  National Fisheries Products 
Quality Inspection Service  
Act on the Promotion of 
Environment -Friendly Agriculture 
and Fisheries and the 
Management of and Support for 
Organic Foods, Etc.  
 Certified products labelled as 
organic,  
Organic processed foods that 
have obtained equivalency 
recognition  Ministry  
National  Agricultural Products 
Quality Management Service  G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Control of Livestock and Fish 
Feed Act  Feed specified and publicly 
notified by the Ministry  National Agricultural Cooperative 
Federation  
Feed-related organization  
Agricultural and Fishery Products 
Quality Control Act  Marine animals and marine 
animal  products  National Fisheries Products 
Quality Inspection Service  
 
15.  Nuclear Safety and Security Commission ( new) 
 
Law Product Covered  Related Administrative 
Organization  
Nuclear Safety Act (revision)  
 Nuclear materials  Ministry  
Korea Foundation of Nuclear 
Safety  
Act on Protective Action 
Guidelines Against Radiation 
in the Natural Environment 
(new)  Source material  
By-products from processing  Korea Institute of Nuclear 
Safety  
 G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  <sample forms>  
 
수입승인 (신청 )서 Import License  (Application)  
 
 
 처  리  기  간  : 1일 
Handling Time :  
1 Day  
① 수입자        무역업  신고번호   ⑤ 송화인 (Consignor)  
 
   상호, 주소, 성명 
   (Name of firm, Address, Name of rep’)  
 
 
    (Importer)    (Notification No.)  
 
  상호, 주소, 성명 
  (Name of firm, Address, Name of rep’)  
 
 
(서명 또는 인)     
(Signature)  
② 위탁자        사업자  등록번호   ⑥ 금액(Total Amount)  
  (Requester)   (Business No.)  
 
  상호, 주소, 성명 
  (Name of firm, Address, Name of rep’)  
 
 
(서명 또는 인)     
(Signature)  ⑦ 결제기간 (Period of payment)  
⑧ 가격조건 (Terms of Price)  
③ 원산지 (Origin)  ④ 선적항 (Port of Loading)  
⑨ HS부호 ⑩ 품명 및 규격  ⑪ 단위 및 수량  ⑫ 단 가  ⑬ 금    액 
  (HS code)        (Description/Size)                 (Unit/Quantity) (Unit Price)    (Amount)  
 
 
 
 
⑭ 승인기관  기재란 (Remarks to be filled out by an Approval Agency)  
⑮ 유효기간 (Period of Approval)  
   승인번호 (Approval No.)  
   승인기관  관리번호 (No. of Approval Agency)  G/LIC/N/3/KOR/12  
 
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  < 위의 신청사항은  대외무역법  제11조제2항 및 동법시행령  제18조제1항의 규정에  의하여  승인합니다 . 
   (The undersigned hereby approves the above -mentioned goods in accordance with 
Article 1 1(2)      of the Foreign Trade Act and Article 18(1) of the Enforcement Decree 
of the said Act.)  
 
20   년    월     일     
승인권자                   (인) 
 
※ 승인기관이  2이상인  경우 ⑭ -   의 기재사항은  이면에  기재하도록  합니다 . 
※ 이 서식에  의한 승인과는  별도로  대금결제에  관한 사항에  대하여는  외국환관리볍령이  정하는  바에 따라야  합니
다.  
__________