Food Products from South Korea — KORUS 0% Duty (2026)

USTradeStack

Effective Duty Rate

0% KORUS FTA for most food products

Estimate — verify by HTS code

Compliance Risk

Low

Relative to other import corridors

Regulatory Agencies

FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA

Primary oversight bodies

OVERVIEW

Importing Food Products, Beverages & Agricultural Goods from South Korea

Importing food products from South Korea into the United States carries low compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of 0% KORUS FTA for most food products. A Section 232 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement applies: steel and aluminum products within quota limits may enter at reduced or zero Section 232 duty, while above-quota imports face the full 25% surcharge.

Food Products imported from South Korea to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.

⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — South Korea Origin

KORUS FTA provides preferential access for Korean foods including kimchi, noodles, soju, seaweed, and processed foods. Rapidly growing K-food exports to the US. FDA compliance processes are well-developed.

Calculate Your Landed Cost

Get an Exact Duty Estimate

Enter your product value and origin country to get the exact duty stack including MFN, Section 301, Section 232, and applicable FTA rates.

Calculate Duties →

SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT

Estimated Landed Cost: Food Products from South Korea

Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.

Cost Component	Amount	Notes
Cargo Value (CIF)	$50,000.00	Reference shipment value
MFN Base Duty (0.0%)	$0.00	KORUS preferential / ITA zero-rate
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%)	$173.20	Min $31.67 / max $614.35
Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%)	$62.50	Ocean freight only
Total Duties & Fees	$235.70	Effective rate: 0.5%
Estimated Landed Cost	$50,235.70	Cargo + all US duties/fees

⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to food products sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.

✓ KORUS preferential rates reduce base duty to 0% for qualifying goods. MPF and HMF still apply on all entries.

Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.

APPLICABLE HTS CODES

HTS Codes for Food Products Imports

The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to food products imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.

HTS Code	Product Description	MFN Base Duty Rate
0901	Coffee (green, roasted, decaffeinated)	0% MFN (green); 0% (instant)
1806	Chocolate & Cocoa Preparations	0%–8.5% MFN
2009	Fruit Juices & Vegetable Juices	0%–29.8¢/liter MFN
1604–1605	Prepared Fish, Crustaceans & Shellfish	0%–20% MFN
2106	Food Preparations Not Elsewhere Specified (sauces, supplements)	0%–8.5% MFN

MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.

DUTY STACK — SOUTH KOREA ORIGIN

Total Tariff Cost for South Korea-Origin Food Products

Duty Layer	Rate / Status	Applies To
MFN Base Rate	Varies by HTS code	All South Korea-origin goods (baseline)
KORUS Preferential Rate	Reduced / 0% (qualifying goods)	Goods meeting KORUS rules of origin
Section 301	Not applicable	South Korea-origin goods are not subject to Section 301
Section 232 TRQ	0% within quota; 25%/10% above	Steel/aluminum within agreed quota volumes

Precise Duty Calculation

Get Your Exact Total Duty Rate

Our calculator handles all duty layers — MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 + FTA rates — for any HTS code from any origin country.

Calculate Now →

COMPLIANCE — FDA / USDA/FSIS / USDA/APHIS / EPA

US Compliance Requirements for Food Products Imports

Regardless of origin country, food products imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:

FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers
USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection
USDA/APHIS phytosanitary requirements for fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant-based products — phytosanitary certificate from origin country required
EPA pesticide residue tolerance limits (40 CFR Part 180) apply to all imported food products — FDA monitors and enforces at the border

Compliance Check Tool

Run an automated compliance check for your food products import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs South Korea.

Run Compliance Check →

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Documentation Checklist for Food Products from South Korea

Prepare all documents before the shipment departs South Korea. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.

1

Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin

2

Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates

3

Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables)

4

FDA Prior Notice Confirmation

5

Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry)

6

Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration

Document Generator

Generate Your Document Checklist

Get a customized document checklist based on your specific HTS code, origin country, and product category.

View Document Tool →

ESTIMATED TIMELINE

Import Timeline — Food Products from South Korea

1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products)

Supplier Preparation

Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists

Transit Time

18–35 days ocean from Asia/origin

CBP Clearance

1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs — Importing Food Products from South Korea

What is the effective US tariff rate for importing food products from South Korea?

The effective US tariff rate for food products from South Korea is: 0% KORUS FTA for most food products. KORUS FTA provides preferential access for Korean foods including kimchi, noodles, soju, seaweed, and processed foods. Rapidly growing K-food exports to the US. FDA compliance processes are well-developed.

What compliance agencies regulate food products imports from South Korea?

Food Products imports require compliance with: FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA. Specific requirements include: FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers and USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection.

What documents are required to import food products from South Korea?

Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin; Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates; Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables); FDA Prior Notice Confirmation. Additional: Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry); Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration. Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs South Korea.

How long does customs clearance take for food products from South Korea?

Typical timeline: 1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.

Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on food products from South Korea?

No Section 301 tariffs apply to South Korea-origin goods. Section 232 applies with a TRQ arrangement — steel within quota enters at reduced/zero Section 232; above quota faces 25%.

What FDA Prior Notice requirements apply to all food product imports?

FDA's Prior Notice regulation (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I) requires advance notice before all food, beverages, dietary supplements, and animal feed shipments arrive at the US port of entry. Prior notice must be submitted between 5 days and 2 hours before arrival (for non-ocean shipments) or between 5 days and 4 hours before arrival (ocean freight). Non-compliance results in FDA refusal of admission and CBP may hold or return the shipment at the importer's expense. Use FDA's PNSI system or a licensed customs broker to file prior notice.

What USDA, FDA, and FSIS regulations govern food imports and how do they interact?

Food imports face dual FDA/USDA jurisdiction depending on product type. FDA governs: fruits, vegetables, seafood, processed foods, dietary supplements, and most food products (95%+ of US food imports). FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA) governs: meat, poultry, and egg products — which require country equivalence determination before export to the US is permitted. USDA AMS oversees organic certification and grading. CBP enforces FDA and USDA requirements at entry — all food imports are subject to examination, sampling, and detention.

How does Section 301 affect food and agricultural product imports from China?

Selected Chinese food and agricultural products are subject to Section 301 tariffs. Notably, some processed food products (condiments, prepared foods, additives) in USTR Lists 3 and 4A face 25% additional duty. However, many primary agricultural commodities were excluded or carry 7.5% List 4A rates. The effective impact depends heavily on the specific HTS code — use USTR's Section 301 lists to determine applicability before sourcing. Note that most tropical agricultural products (coffee, cocoa, spices) from China are not major trade flows, so Section 301 primarily affects processed food categories.

What does the KORUS FTA cover and how do I claim preferential treatment?

The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS, effective 2012) has phased out duties on the vast majority of US-Korea trade — most goods now enter at 0%. To claim KORUS preference, have a valid origin certification from the Korean exporter (self-certification is permitted under KORUS). Goods must meet KORUS rules of origin requiring sufficient production in the US or Korea, with country-specific RVC or tariff shift rules by HTS code.

Are Korean electronics (Samsung, LG, SK Hynix) subject to any additional US tariffs?

No. South Korea is not subject to Section 301 tariffs. Section 232 TRQ applies to Korean steel and aluminum, not electronics. Korean electronics benefit from both KORUS FTA (0%) and the ITA (0% WTO multilateral rate), providing dual zero-rating. Major Korean brands have extensive US operations that further simplify compliance for distributors and importers.

How strictly does CBP enforce KORUS rules of origin for auto parts?

CBP has significantly increased KORUS auto parts origin verification, particularly for vehicles and major components. Importers should obtain detailed origin certifications from Korean suppliers including net cost calculations and production records. Korean auto parts manufacturers supplying global OEMs typically maintain robust KORUS documentation — request it proactively rather than waiting for a CBP CF-28 inquiry.

TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Free Tools for Food Products Importers

Run these tools before your next shipment from South Korea — all free, no account required.

🔍 AI HTS Classifier

Get the exact 10-digit HTS code for your food products. Identifies Section 301/232 exposure.

🧮 Landed Cost Calculator

Calculate total duty including MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 for South Korea-origin goods.

🛡️ Supplier Screening

Screen your South Korea supplier against OFAC, BIS Entity List, and denied parties databases.

✅ Compliance Check

Verify FDA/USDA/FSIS/USDA/APHIS/EPA requirements and identify documentation gaps before shipment.

📊 Trade Research Hub

Deep-dive on tariff policy changes, Federal Register notices, and regulatory updates for South Korea.

🔔 Tariff Alerts

Get notified when duty rates or compliance requirements change for your product corridors.

Ready to Calculate Your Exact Import Costs?

Get precise duty calculations, landed cost estimates, and compliance flags for your food products shipment from South Korea.

Calculate Duties → Classify My Product → Full Exposure Report — $19 →

RELATED IMPORT GUIDES

Also Importing Food Products From Other Countries?

Compare duty rates, compliance requirements, and landed costs across origin countries.

🇻🇳 Food Products from Vietnam 🇨🇳 Food Products from China 🇲🇽 Food Products from Mexico 🇨🇦 Food Products from Canada 🇮🇳 Food Products from India 🇩🇪 Food Products from Germany 🇯🇵 Food Products from Japan 🇹🇼 Food Products from Taiwan 🇮🇹 Food Products from Italy

Other Products from South Korea?

Explore duty rates and compliance guides for other product categories imported from South Korea.

Most-Searched Import Corridors

High-traffic import corridors with full tariff analysis and compliance guides.

🇨🇳 Furniture from China 🇨🇳 Auto Parts from China 🇨🇳 Footwear from China 🇨🇳 Electronics from China 🇨🇳 Apparel from China 🇨🇳 Textiles from China 🇨🇳 Solar Panels from China 🇨🇳 Ceramics from China

View full South Korea tariff profile → Browse all import guides → Calculate landed cost →

Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.

How to Import Food Products from South Korea to the US