SEACHING｜Bridging Korea and the global seafood market.

Author: Gunho Song

  • Korea’s Clam and Shellfish Imports: Why China Dominates and Where Other Origins Fit

    Korea’s Clam and Shellfish Imports: Why China Dominates and Where Other Origins Fit

    Data as of: Korea’s imports Jan–Sep 2026 and Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, retrieved October 15, 2026); 2026 tariff schedule; rules checked October 2026.

    China supplied 89.6% of South Korea’s clam imports in Jan–Sep 2026 and 99.3% of its Manila clam, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Korea’s clam imports were US$53.7 million in that period, down 14.0% from Jan–Sep 2025. Other origins sell mainly in Korea’s “other clams” codes and prepared bivalves.

    The number that matters: 99.3%
    China’s share of Korea’s Manila clam imports by value, Jan–Sep 2026. Half arrives live and half frozen, salted or prepared, and China supplies almost all of both.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported US$53.7 million of clams in Jan–Sep 2026, 14.0% less than in Jan–Sep 2025 (Korea Customs Service data).
    • China supplied 99.3% of Korea’s Manila clam imports in Jan–Sep 2026; live Manila clam cleared at US$1.26 per kg, all from China (Korea Customs Service data).
    • In Korea’s frozen “other clams” code (HSK 0307.72.9000), Canada held 28.0%, Vietnam 27.3% and Thailand 19.1% of import value in Jan–Sep 2026.
    • Japan supplied 62.1% of Korea’s US$46.3 million scallop imports in Jan–Sep 2026 and China 34.5% (Korea Customs Service data).

    Where does Korea import clams from?

    China sold Korea US$48.2 million of the US$53.7 million total; scallops are covered separately.

    OriginJan–Sep 2026 valueShareWeightShare, Jan–Sep 2025
    ChinaUS$48.15 million89.6%34,119 t92.6%
    VietnamUS$1.88 million3.5%795 t3.1%
    CanadaUS$1.06 million2.0%82 t1.6%
    JapanUS$0.89 million1.6%214 t1.4%
    ThailandUS$0.77 million1.4%398 t0.5%
    RussiaUS$0.47 million0.9%148 t0.4%
    All originsUS$53.71 million100%35,953 t100%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, retrieved October 15, 2026. Scope: HSK 0307.71, 0307.72, 0307.79 and 1605.56.

    Clams were 1.2% of the US$4,415.6 million of seafood Korea imported in Jan–Sep 2026 (HS chapter 03 plus HS 1603–1605; seaweed and salt excluded). China’s sales fell faster than the market, so its share fell 3 points. For China overall, see the guide to exporting Chinese seafood to Korea.

    Manila clam: live, frozen or prepared?

    Half of Korea’s Manila clam imports arrive live. Korea’s tariff calls the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) “baby clams” (bajirak). Its six HSK codes added up to US$31.3 million, 58.3% of Korea’s clam imports, in Jan–Sep 2026.

    HSKFormValueWeightShare of Manila clamUS$/kgChina’s share
    0307.71.4000Live, fresh or chilledUS$15.63 million12,383 t49.9%1.26100%
    1605.56.1090Prepared or preserved, otherUS$10.22 million5,153 t32.6%1.9899.3%
    0307.72.3000FrozenUS$3.65 million2,756 t11.6%1.3297.2%
    0307.79.3020Salted or in brineUS$1.43 million267 t4.6%5.35100%
    1605.56.1010Prepared, airtight containersUS$0.21 million76 t0.7%2.6873.6%
    0307.79.2020DriedUS$0.18 million23 t0.6%7.84100%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026, retrieved October 15, 2026. US$/kg is customs value divided by weight, not a market price.

    Bar chart of Korea's Manila clam imports by form, Jan–Sep 2026: live US$15.6 million, prepared US$10.2 million

    The code names do not say whether frozen or prepared clam is shelled, so the other 50.1% may not be “clam meat”. Live Manila clam fell 27.8%, from US$21.7 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$15.6 million. Monthly volume peaked in November in both years shown (4,857 tonnes in November 2025) and bottomed in August.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly live Manila clam imports, Oct 2024 to Sep 2026, peaking at 4,857 tonnes in November 2025

    Why does China supply almost all of it?

    The customs data show a low-value, high-volume product: live Manila clam cleared at US$1.26 per kg and frozen at US$1.32. Hard clams (baekhap, HSK 0307.71.1000) look the same: US$12.7 million, 99.2% from China, at US$1.06 per kg. The data do not show why; one untested reading is that values this low leave little room for long-distance freight.

    SEACHING’s page for live Manila clam from China charts its monthly customs value per kg, with the model forecast dashed.

    SEACHING page for live Manila clam (HS 0307714000, "Baby clams") from China, showing Korea's monthly import unit price and the model forecast to February 2027

    Which clams do other origins already sell to Korea?

    Other origins sell in small “other” and prepared codes.

    HSK / productJan–Sep 2026 valueOrigins other than China (share, US$/kg)China’s share
    0307.72.9000 Frozen other clams, cockles and ark shellsUS$3.73 millionCanada 28.0% (13.03), Vietnam 27.3% (1.77), Thailand 19.1% (1.80), Senegal 6.8% (5.27)12.7%
    0307.71.9000 Live or chilled other clamsUS$2.77 millionJapan 31.1% (4.21), Russia 14.0% (3.90)54.9%
    1605.56.9090 Other prepared bivalvesUS$1.13 millionVietnam 60.0% (3.69)39.9%
    1605.56.1010 Manila clam in airtight containersUS$0.21 millionThailand 26.2%73.6%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026, retrieved October 15, 2026.

    Stacked bar chart of origin shares in three Korean clam codes, Jan–Sep 2026, led by Canada, Vietnam and Thailand in frozen other clams

    The frozen “other clams” code grew 29.5%, while Vietnam’s share fell from 46.4% to 27.3% and Thailand’s rose from 10.4% to 19.1%. Canada’s US$13.03 per kg suggests a different product; the code does not name the species. In prepared bivalves, Vietnam’s share rose from 34.6% to 60.0%. See also the Thailand and Indonesia export guide.

    See live Manila clam import data on SEACHING (free sign-up), prepared clam imports by origin (free sign-up) and Vietnam’s seafood trade with Korea (free sign-up).

    Scallops: the bivalve market where Japan leads

    Korea imported US$46.3 million of scallops in Jan–Sep 2026, 12.1% less than a year earlier. Japan held 62.1% and China 34.5%, up from 27.8%. Japan supplied 91.4% of live scallops and China 94.5% of prepared scallops. Korea has banned all seafood from eight Japanese prefectures since September 9, 2013 (as of October 2026). The 2026 tariff file has no RCEP rate for Japan in the live and frozen “other scallops” codes.

    What duty do clams pay in Korea by origin?

    Live and frozen Manila clam from China pay 20% under the Korea–China FTA; the other codes below pay 8% from China and 0% from Vietnam.

    HSK / productBasic rateKorea–China FTAKorea–Vietnam FTAKorea–ASEAN FTA (e.g. Thailand)Korea–Indonesia CEPAKorea–Canada and KORUS FTAs
    0307.71.4000 Live Manila clam20%20% (separate 0% line)5%5%3%0%
    0307.72.3000 Frozen Manila clam20%20% (separate 0% line)0%5%3%0%
    1605.56.1090 Prepared Manila clam20%8%0%5%3%0%
    0307.71.9000 Live other clams20%8%0%0%0%0%
    0307.72.9000 Frozen other clams20%8%0%5%4.5%0%
    1605.56.9090 Other prepared bivalves20%8%0%5%3%0%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff schedule by HSK code, 2026 rates (January 1 to December 31, 2026).

    The separate 0% line is coded FCN6, named only as an optional Korea–China FTA rate. The file does not state its conditions; confirm them with a licensed Korean customs broker before you price on it. The importer claims the FTA rate with proof of origin. Rates are as of October 2026; check yours on Korea Customs Service UNIPASS. See the Korea seafood import duty guide.

    What to check before shipping clams to Korea

    The National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS) quarantines live shellfish for food, as of October 2026. Exporting governments may add limits: the Canadian Food Inspection Agency lists live bivalve molluscs as ineligible for Korea (page updated November 4, 2025).

    The foreign facility must be registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) before the import declaration, as of October 2026. In the 11 countries with a seafood safety arrangement with Korea, such as Vietnam and Thailand, facilities register through their government (MFDS guide, October 2024). Under these arrangements, each shipment also needs a health certificate. See the step-by-step export guide and confirm final requirements with your importer or customs broker.

    Find your clam code in Korea’s data

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, supplied these figures and those in the quarterly seafood imports report. For matching species names to codes, see why Korean buyers search by species, not HS code. Related reports cover octopus, squid and hairtail and yellow croaker.

    Before you offer clams to a Korean buyer, check which clam codes Korea imports from origins like yours and at what customs value per kg. SEACHING shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code and month, built on Korea Customs Service data. Look up your clam product on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    What is the HS code for frozen clam meat in Korea?

    Korea’s tariff has no code named “clam meat”. Frozen Manila clam is HSK 0307.72.3000, other frozen clams 0307.72.9000, and prepared Manila clam 1605.56.1090. Confirm your code with the importer’s customs broker.

    Does Korea test imported clams for shellfish toxins?

    Korea sets shellfish biotoxin criteria in the MFDS Food Code; Canada’s export guidance for Korea points to its chapters 2 and 5. Ask your importer which tests may apply.

    Sources and method

  • How to Find Seafood Buyers in Korea Using Import Data

    How to Find Seafood Buyers in Korea Using Import Data

    Data as of October 15, 2026: Korea Customs Service import values for January–September 2026 and 2025, and SEACHING company estimates for October 2025–September 2026 (October 2024–September 2026 where noted).

    How to find seafood buyers in Korea: start from your product’s 10-digit Korean HS code, not a buyer list, then shortlist the importers that buy it often and from your country. The worked example is frozen peeled shrimp (HS 0306.17.1090), Korea’s largest single seafood import code in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$313.9 million (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Key takeaways

    • Frozen peeled shrimp (HS 0306.17.1090) was Korea’s largest single seafood import code in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$313.9 million or 7.1% of the total, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • Vietnam (42.4%) and China (40.7%) supplied most of Korea’s frozen peeled shrimp imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026; India, Peru, Thailand and Argentina each held 2.8–5.1% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • SEACHING estimates that 195 Korean companies imported frozen peeled shrimp from October 2025 to September 2026, and that 22 of them bought from India.
    • Of 229 estimated Korean importers of frozen peeled shrimp in October 2024–September 2026, 34 had no import record in October 2025–September 2026 (SEACHING estimates).

    What will you have at the end of this guide?

    A shortlist of 5–10 Korean importers that already buy your product, with a reason to contact each one. You need a product description, its 6-digit HS code and a free account on SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan.

    Korea’s public import statistics report products and countries, not companies, so the method starts from the product code.

    Step 1: Which 10-digit Korean HS code is your product?

    Your 6-digit HS code is not enough. The Harmonized System uses six-digit codes, and more than 200 countries and economies use it as the basis for their customs tariffs, according to the World Customs Organization. Korea’s tariff schedule and trade statistics add four national digits, making a 10-digit code called HSK.

    Subheading 0306.17 (other frozen shrimp and prawns) splits into five Korean codes with very different import values.

    Korean HS code (HSK)ProductKorea’s imports, Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)
    0306.17.1090Frozen peeled shrimp and prawns, not smoked313.9
    0306.17.9091Frozen whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)66.8
    0306.17.9099Other frozen shrimp and prawns, not smoked34.4
    0306.17.1010 and 0306.17.9010Smokedless than 0.01

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026.

    Peeled shrimp took 75.6% of Korea’s 0306.17 imports in Jan–Sep 2026. Shell-on whiteleg and peeled shrimp sit in different codes with different origins. If unsure which fits, read how Korean buyers describe the product they want.

    On SEACHING, each product page shows its 10-digit code, and the Related menu lists the other codes at the same level.

    SEACHING product page for HS 0306171090 (peeled shrimps and prawns, frozen) with the Related menu open, listing the five 10-digit codes under subheading 0306.17

    Step 2: Does Korea already buy it, and from which origins?

    Yes: Korea imported US$313.9 million of frozen peeled shrimp in Jan–Sep 2026, up 4.9% on the same months of 2025, at an average customs value of US$8.08 per kg. The origin table shows who you would compete with.

    OriginShare of value, Jan–Sep 2026Share, Jan–Sep 2025Customs value, Jan–Sep 2026 (US$/kg)Estimated importers buying from this origin, Oct 2025–Sep 2026
    Vietnam42.4%47.5%8.45134
    China40.7%36.0%7.1869
    India5.1%4.7%7.2322
    Peru4.8%3.9%10.1712
    Thailand3.7%4.9%12.9611
    Argentina2.8%1.9%15.79not listed

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data (values and prices); SEACHING estimates (importer counts; an importer can buy from several origins).

    Customs value per kg is import value divided by weight, not a market price. The data does not show size or glazing, so compare like with like. From October 2025 to September 2026, Vietnam, China, India, Peru, Thailand and Argentina each shipped frozen peeled shrimp to Korea in every month.

    A single-origin page shows that origin’s monthly customs value per kg, with SEACHING’s price model projection as a dashed line.

    SEACHING page for frozen peeled shrimp (HS 0306171090) from Vietnam, showing Korea's monthly import unit price and the model forecast as a dashed line

    For the wider picture, see Korea’s shrimp imports by origin.

    Step 3: How many Korean companies import it?

    SEACHING estimates that 195 Korean companies imported frozen peeled shrimp from October 2025 to September 2026. The top 10 held 33.3% of import records (not value), and the median importer filed 6 records. SEACHING derives these from Korea Customs Service and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) import declarations; they are estimates, not confirmed contracts.

    The number varies widely by product; the overview of seafood importers in Korea compares six products.

    The product page’s Companies tab lists estimated importers with their number of trades (import records), industry and main origins. Filter chips above the list narrow it to one origin.

    SEACHING Companies tab for Korea's frozen peeled shrimp imports (HS 0306171090), listing estimated importers with their trades, industry and main origins, with origin filters and company names blurred

    Step 4: How do you shortlist importers worth contacting?

    Keep the companies that import your product from your origin, often and recently.

    CheckKeep the importer if…Frozen peeled shrimp, SEACHING estimates
    OriginIt imported from your country in the last 12 months22 importers bought from India, 12 from Peru, 11 from Thailand
    FrequencyIt has more records than the medianMedian importer: 6 records in 12 months
    RecencyIt still imports34 of 229 importers in the 24-month window had no record in the latest 12 months
    One-off buyersTreat a single record as a test, not a customer24 of 195 importers filed one record
    Product fitIt imports your species and formThe company page lists its top product groups; confirm the form (peeled, whole, cooked) when you write

    Source: SEACHING estimates, October 2025–September 2026 (12 months) and October 2024–September 2026 (24 months). Records count import declarations, not value.

    An Indian exporter would start with the 22 importers that already buy Indian product, rank them by records and recency, and open each company’s page. The Overview shows the company’s main origin and product, its last trade, its top product groups and its distribution by origin country.

    SEACHING company page Overview for one Korean shrimp importer, showing its trade profile, top products and country distribution, with the company name blurred

    From LINKSUP’s trading desk
    LINKSUP estimates that only about 15% of Korean seafood importers buy directly from foreign suppliers; this is not an official statistic. When an importer considers a new supplier, price matters most. Importers also check quality certification such as HACCP or FSSC 22000, supply history (including supply to major buyers) and reputation.

    So a company that buys your origin through an agent is still a lead; see why most Korean seafood imports go through agents. Before you sign a contract, run the checks in how to verify a Korean seafood importer.

    Step 5: How should you make first contact?

    Meet in person where you can: Korean importers value face-to-face meetings with new partners, according to USDA (August 2025). The Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BISFE) runs November 4–6, 2026 at BEXCO; see how to meet Korean buyers at the Busan seafood expo.

    If you write first, name the 10-digit HSK, your origin, specification and certification, and refer to what the company already imports. Why Korean buyers ignore cold emails explains the usual failures, and what Korean seafood importers look for covers the buyer’s checklist.

    Know who does what. As of October 2026, the Korean importer, registered with MFDS as an importer-seller, files the import declaration and is responsible for the food’s safety and quality. Your plant must be registered with MFDS before the declaration, by you or the importer. See the guide to exporting seafood to Korea, and confirm current rules with a licensed customs broker or MFDS.

    What can go wrong when you read importer data?

    Treating estimates as facts. Company counts and records are SEACHING estimates. Use them to rank leads, not to quote a buyer’s volume to them.

    Confusing the importer of record with the end buyer. The company in the data filed the import declaration. It may resell the product or import for another buyer; the overview of seafood importers in Korea explains the types.

    Reading one month as a trend. Korea’s frozen peeled shrimp imports by weight peak in September and are lowest in February and March, averaged over October 2023–September 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). Judge a company on 12 months of records.

    Run the same search for your product

    The same steps work for any species. Start with frozen peeled shrimp import data, frozen whiteleg shrimp import data or other frozen shrimp import data (free sign-up).

    SEACHING estimates which Korean companies import a given product and from where, based on customs and MFDS import declaration data. Company-level figures are statistical estimates, not confirmed contracts. Find importers of your product (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Can I see the names of Korean seafood importers?

    Not in Korea’s public statistics, which report imports by product and country only. SEACHING lists estimated importers of each product by company after a free sign-up.

    How often is Korean seafood import data updated?

    The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries publishes a monthly file of Korea’s seafood imports built from Korea Customs Service data. SEACHING updates customs statistics monthly and MFDS import declaration data daily.

    What if no Korean company imports my exact product yet?

    Check the other 10-digit codes under the same 6-digit subheading. In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea imported less than US$100 of smoked frozen shrimp under 0306.17, but US$66.8 million of frozen whiteleg shrimp. Importers of a close product are the first people to ask.

    Sources and method

  • How to Verify a Korean Seafood Importer Before You Ship

    How to Verify a Korean Seafood Importer Before You Ship

    Data as of: SEACHING importer estimates for October 2024–September 2026, queried October 15, 2026. Korean government lookups and laws checked October 15, 2026.

    To verify a Korean seafood importer before you ship, check that the company is active, is registered with Korea’s food safety ministry to import food, and imports seafood now. Past activity is not proof: SEACHING estimates that 120 of 542 frozen squid importers active in October 2024–September 2026 had no import record in the last 12 months.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) shows whether a company is operating, suspended or closed from its 10-digit business registration number; as of October 15, 2026, the Korean-only Hometax page needed no login.
    • A Korean company that imports food for sale must register an import-sales business with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), which lists registered businesses online (Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control, checked October 15, 2026).
    • SEACHING estimates that 22.1% of the companies that imported frozen squid into Korea in October 2024–September 2026 had no import record in October 2025–September 2026.
    • KOTRA’s paid company checks serve firms with a Korean business registration and examine overseas companies, not Korean buyers (KOTRA service terms, January 2024).

    What can you check about a Korean importer from abroad?

    Three checks, each from a different source, show that the company is trading, may import food and really buys seafood.

    StepWhereWhat you look atRed flag
    1. Legal statusNTS Hometax, Internet Registry Office (IROS), DARTOperating, suspended or closed; registered name, representative, addressSuspended or closed; names or address differ from your contract
    2. Food import registrationMFDS Imported Food Information MaruImport-sales business registration, operating statusNo registration and no named importer of record
    3. Import behaviorSEACHING company data (estimates)Which products, origins and months it importedNo seafood records, or records unrelated to your product

    Sources: NTS, Supreme Court IROS, Financial Supervisory Service DART, MFDS, SEACHING; checked October 15, 2026.

    First, ask the buyer for its business registration number, Korean company name, representative’s name and a copy of its registration certificate. Have your product’s 10-digit HS code ready.

    Step 1: Does the company legally exist, and is it still trading?

    Start with the tax status on Hometax, the NTS site. The page is 사업자등록상태조회 (business registration status inquiry), under 상담·불복·고충·제보·기타 > 사업자상태. As of October 15, 2026, it opened without logging in and was in Korean only. Enter the business registration number, and NTS returns whether the business is operating, suspended or closed, its tax type and any closure date.

    Korean labelEnglish meaningWhat it tells you
    사업자등록번호Business registration numberThe 10-digit number you enter
    계속ContinuingBusiness is operating
    휴업SuspendedBusiness temporarily stopped
    폐업ClosedBusiness shut down; a closure date appears
    과세유형Tax typeFor example, general, simplified or tax-exempt
    국세청에 등록되지 않은 사업자등록번호입니다This number is not registered with NTSThe number does not exist in NTS records

    Source: NTS business status service and Hometax screen, checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea National Tax Service Hometax business registration status inquiry page (사업자등록상태조회) in Korean, with an empty business registration number field, an empty results table and the usage notes

    The result appears in the table below the input field. The page notes that the result has no legal effect as proof.

    Next, read the corporate register. Under the Commercial Registration Act, anyone may view it for a fee, and IROS charges KRW 700 for an online view (fee rules in force since August 1, 2025). It shows the registered name, head office and directors; compare them with the contract and the bank account holder.

    Listed companies and companies above Korea’s external audit thresholds must publish audit reports. These appear on DART, run by the Financial Supervisory Service; its English filings are voluntary and have no legal effect. A small private importer may have nothing on DART, which alone is not a warning sign.

    Step 2: Is it registered to import food into Korea?

    A company that imports food for sale must register an import-sales business with MFDS, and a registered business files the food import declaration. If your buyer is not registered, someone else will be the importer of record.

    Use the “Domestic businesses” (국내영업자) tab of the business lookup on MFDS Imported Food Information Maru. Set business type (영업의종류) to 수입식품등 수입판매업 (imported food import-sales business), enter the company name (업소명) and check operating status (운영상태). Results show the licence number, name, business type, representative, address and licensing office.

    MFDS Imported Food Information Maru business lookup in Korean, Domestic businesses tab, filtered to operating imported food import-sales businesses, with licence numbers, company names, representatives and addresses blurred

    On October 15, 2026, this filter alone returned 50,443 operating import-sales businesses across all imported food. Registration shows a company may import food, not that it buys fish.

    Confirm the business type and that the status is operating, not 휴/폐업 (suspended or closed). MFDS may cancel the registration of a company whose tax registration has closed, so Steps 1 and 2 should agree.

    No registration is not always fraud. The law treats some food manufacturers as registered when they import raw material for their own products. Many buyers also do not import in their own name: LINKSUP estimates that only about 15% of Korean seafood importers buy directly from foreign suppliers (a LINKSUP estimate, not an official statistic). Ask in writing which company will file the declaration, and check it. See how Korean import agents work.

    Step 3: Does it actually import seafood, and how often?

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, estimates each company’s imports from customs and MFDS import declaration data.

    SEACHING company page, Trade tab, with the company and supplier names blurred: trade profile, summary cards, a monthly trade timeline from mid-2024 to October 2026, and a trade flow from suppliers to origins to products

    On a company’s Trade tab, Trade Profile shows the main origin, main product and last trade date. Trade Timeline shows whether records continue into recent months, and Trade Flow links suppliers to origins and products.

    Many past importers have no recent record:

    Product (HSK)Importers, Oct 2024–Sep 2026Importers, Oct 2025–Sep 2026No record in the last 12 months
    Frozen mackerel (0303.54.0000)1507575 (50.0%)
    Frozen squid, other (0307.43.2090)542422120 (22.1%)
    Frozen webfoot octopus (0307.52.3000)27223141 (15.1%)
    Frozen peeled shrimp (0306.17.1090)22919534 (14.8%)

    Source: SEACHING estimates from Korea Customs Service and MFDS import records, queried October 15, 2026. Counts are estimates, not company accounts.

    For frozen squid, SEACHING estimates that 93 of the 422 importers of October 2025–September 2026 had a single import record. Ask more questions of a buyer that imported once or not in the last year.

    A missing record is not proof of risk. A new importer has no history, and a buyer importing through another company appears under that company’s name. See finding seafood buyers with Korean import data to read a product’s importer list.

    What red flags should stop a shipment?

    Stop and ask questions if:

    • Hometax shows the business as suspended (휴업) or closed (폐업).
    • The name, representative or address differs between the registration certificate, corporate register, contract and bank account.
    • The buyer has no import-sales registration and will not name the company that files the declaration.
    • SEACHING shows no seafood imports, and the buyer cannot explain why.
    • The email domain or phone number does not match the registered details.
    • The buyer pushes for open-account terms before you finish these checks.

    Korean importers value face-to-face meetings with new partners, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (2025), so a meeting is a further check. See what Korean importers check before a first order for the other side.

    Which payment terms reduce your risk on a first shipment?

    Keep control of the goods or money until you are paid. The U.S. International Trade Administration rates exporter risk this way:

    MethodHow it worksRisk to the exporter
    Cash in advanceBuyer pays before shipmentAvoids credit risk
    Letter of credit (L/C)Buyer’s bank commits to pay against documentsOne of the most secure instruments
    Documentary collection (D/P, D/A)Banks exchange documents for payment or acceptanceNo verification, limited recourse
    Open accountYou ship, buyer pays laterOne of the highest risks
    ConsignmentYou are paid only after the buyer sellsVery risky

    Source: International Trade Administration, Methods of Payment, checked October 15, 2026.

    No public data shows which terms Korean seafood importers prefer. Agree L/C wording with your bank before signing.

    Where can you get a credit report or insurance on a Korean buyer?

    Start in your own country. KOTRA’s company checks serve firms with a Korean business registration and examine overseas companies. K-SURE’s import insurance is for Korean importers that prepay overseas exporters. For cover on a Korean buyer, ask your national export credit agency, a trade credit insurer or your bank.

    Check an importer’s record on SEACHING

    See who imports your product before you approve a buyer:

    The overview of seafood importers in Korea explains the market, and lead times and container loads cover the first shipment.

    Step 3 shows whether a buyer really buys seafood. SEACHING estimates which Korean companies import a given product and from where, based on customs and MFDS import declaration data. Company-level figures are statistical estimates, not confirmed contracts. Check an importer’s import history (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Can a foreigner look up a Korean business registration number online?

    The NTS status check needs only the 10-digit number and returns operating, suspended or closed status. As of October 15, 2026, the Hometax page opened without logging in but was in Korean only. If you cannot use it, ask a Korean customs broker or partner to run the check and send the result screen.

    Is it normal for a Korean buyer to use another company’s name on the import declaration?

    It can be legitimate. As of October 2026, Korean law lets a registered business file a food import declaration for others, and import declaration agency is a business type of its own. Ask which company will file, and check it in Steps 1 and 2.

    What should I get in writing before the first container?

    Get the buyer’s registered name and number, the importer of record, the payment terms and the bank account holder, matching Steps 1 and 2. Confirm import rules for your product with a licensed customs broker or the relevant agency.

    Sources and method

  • Korea Seafood Import Duty: Tariff Rates by Species and FTA

    Korea Seafood Import Duty: Tariff Rates by Species and FTA

    Data as of: Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule (file dated February 11, 2026); laws and decrees checked October 14, 2026.

    Korea’s import duty on seafood starts at a base rate of 10% for most frozen fish and 20% for fresh fish, crustaceans, molluscs and prepared seafood, according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS) 2026 tariff schedule. Adjustment tariffs raise a few products to 20–32%, while FTAs cut many lines to 0%.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s 2026 base duty is 10% on frozen fish (HS 0303) and 20% on fresh fish, crustaceans, molluscs and prepared seafood (KCS tariff schedule).
    • Korea’s 2026 adjustment tariffs set 22% on frozen Alaska pollock and frozen squid, 24% on frozen saury and 32% on salted shrimp (decree for calendar 2026).
    • Under Korea’s FTA decree, Vietnamese frozen shrimp pays 0% up to 15,000 tonnes in 2026 and 20% above that; ASEAN shrimp has a 5,000-tonne annual 0% quota.
    • Unprocessed seafood in HS 0301–0308 is exempt from Korea’s 10% import VAT; prepared seafood in HS 1604–1605 is not (VAT Act, October 2026).

    Definition: Korea’s seafood import duty. Korea charges duty on the CIF value of a shipment. One 10-digit HSK code can carry base, WTO, adjustment, quota and FTA rates, and the Customs Act and the FTA Customs Special Cases Act decide which one your buyer pays.

    What import duty does Korea charge on seafood?

    The base rate is 10% or 20%, set by product form rather than species.

    HS headingProduct form2026 base rate
    0301Live fish10%
    0302Fresh or chilled fish20%
    0303Frozen fish10%
    0304Fillets: fresh or chilled / frozen20% / 10%
    0305Dried, salted or smoked fish20%
    0306Crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster)20%
    0307Molluscs (squid, octopus, clams)20% (some frozen squid 10%)
    1604, 1605Prepared fish and shellfish20%

    Source: Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule; USDA FAS GAIN KS2025-0046, Table A10.

    Customs Act Article 30 adds freight, insurance and other transport costs up to the Korean port to the price paid. If you sell FOB, duty is still charged on the CIF value.

    Which rate applies when one code has several?

    Korean law ranks them. Under Customs Act Article 50, an adjustment or quota tariff replaces the base rate, and a WTO bound rate applies only when lower. An FTA rate applies only if it is lower still, but trade-remedy duties and adjustment tariffs under Article 69, item 2, override it (FTA Customs Special Cases Act, Article 5).

    Take frozen Alaska pollock. The base rate is 10%, but the 2026 adjustment tariff is 22%, so Russian pollock (no FTA) pays 22%. The Korea–EU line is 30%, so EU pollock also pays 22%. US pollock pays 0%.

    The documents behind an FTA claim are covered in the step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea.

    What is the duty on my species from my country?

    The tables show 2026 rates for 11 common codes. “–” means that agreement has no line for the code, so the non-FTA rate applies unless another agreement covers it (Indonesia is also in ASEAN).

    Origins in the Americas and Europe (%, 2026)

    Product (HSK)No FTA (e.g., Russia, Ecuador)USCanadaChilePeruEU, UK (Jan–Jun)EFTA (Norway)
    Fresh or chilled Atlantic salmon (0302.14.0000)20000000
    Frozen shrimp meat (0306.17.1090)20000000
    Frozen whiteleg shrimp (0306.17.9091)2000000–
    Breaded shrimp, not airtight (1605.21.1000)20000000
    Frozen Alaska pollock (0303.67.0000)2200030 → 2230 → 22–
    Frozen pollock surimi (0304.94.1000)10000000
    Frozen mackerel (0303.54.0000)10 (quota 0)000000 up to 500 t/yr
    Frozen squid, other (0307.43.2090)22000000
    Frozen webfoot octopus (0307.52.3000)20000000
    Snow crab, live or chilled (0306.33.2000)20000000
    Live or chilled lobster, Homarus (0306.32.0000)20000000

    Origins in Asia (%, 2026)

    Product (HSK)ChinaVietnamASEANIndiaIndonesia (CEPA)Japan (RCEP)
    Fresh or chilled Atlantic salmon80000–
    Frozen shrimp meat80 up to 15,000 t, then 200 up to 5,000 t/yr–––
    Frozen whiteleg shrimp80 up to 15,000 t, then 200 up to 5,000 t/yr–––
    Breaded shrimp, not airtight800100–
    Frozen Alaska pollock25 → 2225 → 22–0––
    Frozen pollock surimi000005
    Frozen mackerel1088–––
    Frozen squid, other805–––
    Frozen webfoot octopus800100–
    Snow crab, live or chilled201616–9.6–
    Live or chilled lobster, Homarus40010010

    Source: Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule (rates in force January 1–December 31, 2026; EU and UK rates through June 30, 2026); shrimp quotas from the FTA Customs Special Cases Act Enforcement Decree, Annexes 3, 4 and 16. Rates checked October 14, 2026. Verify on UNIPASS before you quote.

    Indonesian and Thai frozen shrimp have no bilateral line, so they use the shared ASEAN quota or pay 20%. Frozen shrimp meat from Bangladesh or Laos has a 14% Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement rate. Where an FTA rate sits below an adjustment tariff, as with squid, the tables show the FTA rate; the 2026 decree does not say which item of Article 69 applies, so confirm in UNIPASS.

    For shrimp, see Korea’s shrimp imports by origin and the India, Indonesia and Thailand shrimp guide.

    What is Korea’s adjustment tariff, and which seafood does it hit?

    An adjustment tariff (jojeong gwanse) is a temporary rate above the base rate that protects a domestic industry. Customs Act Article 69 allows up to 100% including the base rate, and a presidential decree sets products and rates each year. The decree in force on October 14, 2026 covers declarations through December 31, 2026.

    ProductHSKBase rate2026 adjustment tariff
    Frozen Alaska pollock0303.6710%22%
    Frozen Pacific saury, over 22 cm0303.59.200010%24%
    Frozen squid (excluding some small species)0307.43.2010, .209010% / 20%22%
    Salted or brined shrimp0306.9520%32%
    Live sea bream0301.99.4091, .409910%28% or KRW 2,052/kg, whichever is higher
    Live sea bass0301.99.905910%28%
    Live eel (not glass eel)0301.92.909010%20%

    Source: Enforcement decree on adjustment tariffs under Customs Act Article 69 (promulgated December 30, 2025); KCS 2026 tariff schedule.

    The Korea pollock import guide explains how this rate shapes origin choice.

    How do tariff-rate quotas work for seafood in Korea?

    Korea uses two kinds. The first is a quota tariff under Customs Act Article 71, which can cut the base rate by up to 40 percentage points for a set volume. In 2026, frozen mackerel of over 300 g and up to 600 g from any origin pays 0% for 25,000 tonnes from February 12 to December 31, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) requires importers to supply it to market within 45 days. The mackerel price analysis explains why.

    The second kind sits inside FTAs: the Vietnam and ASEAN shrimp quotas above, and a 500-tonne annual EFTA quota for mackerel. The importer needs a ministry recommendation before acceptance, or KCS allocates the volume first come, first served for listed products. US frozen pollock has been duty-free without limit since 2026.

    Common misconceptions about Korean seafood tariffs

    • “The FTA rate applies automatically.” The importer must claim it before the declaration is accepted and hold proof of origin.
    • “A higher FTA line means a higher duty.” The lower Customs Act rate applies instead (FTA Act, Article 5).
    • “Every origin gets a preference.” Korea’s 23 FTAs in force cover 60 countries, not Russia (KCS FTA portal, October 14, 2026). The Korea–Ecuador SECA, signed September 2, 2025, is not in force; see the Korea–Ecuador SECA shrimp analysis.
    • “EU rates stay the same all year.” The KCS file lists EU and UK rates only through June 30, 2026; Korea–EU cuts step down each July 1.

    How do I check the current rate myself?

    Search the 10-digit HSK code in UNIPASS CLIP (the interface is in Korean; type the code in the 세번·상품검색 box at the top). Each rate line carries a code; official names below are from the CLIP rate search, October 14, 2026.

    CodeOfficial name
    ABase rate
    CWTO bound rate
    LAdjustment tariff
    P1Quota tariff (within volume, on recommendation)
    FUS1, FVN1, FAS1 and similarFTA rate (option 1) of the named agreement
    FVN4, FAS4, FEF4FTA rate (option 4) of the Korea–Vietnam, Korea–ASEAN and Korea–EFTA FTAs; for shrimp and mackerel these lines match the FTA quotas above
    E1, E2, E3Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement rate: general, Bangladesh, Laos
    RLeast-developed country preferential rate

    Screenshot of the Korean-language UNIPASS CLIP tariff page for HSK 0306.17.1090 (frozen shrimp meat), showing the 2026 base rate of 20% and Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement rates E2 and E3 of 14%, October 14, 2026

    FTA schedules are on the KCS FTA portal. Rates here were checked on October 14, 2026. Confirm the applied rate in UNIPASS or with a licensed customs broker before you quote.

    Check what Korea already pays for your product

    Duty is what your buyer pays at the border. Customs data shows what they already pay for the product, and to whom:

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s imports by 10-digit HS code, origin and month. Start with SEACHING’s product data (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Who pays import duty on seafood shipped to Korea?

    Under Customs Act Article 19, the owner of the goods at the import declaration owes the duty, normally the Korean importer. A contract can shift the cost, not the legal duty.

    Is VAT charged on seafood imported into Korea?

    Import VAT is 10% of the customs value plus duty. Live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted and smoked seafood in HS 0301–0308 is exempt; prepared seafood in HS 1604–1605 is not (VAT Act Enforcement Rule, Annex 1, October 2026). Hypothetically, breaded Indian shrimp at US$100,000 CIF pays US$10,000 duty and US$11,000 VAT.

    Sources and method

  • Exporting Chinese Seafood to Korea: Competing in Korea’s Largest Origin

    Exporting Chinese Seafood to Korea: Competing in Korea’s Largest Origin

    Data as of: Korea’s imports Jan–Sep 2026 and Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, retrieved October 15, 2026); 2026 tariff schedule; rules checked October 2026.

    China is the largest origin of Korea’s seafood imports, with US$1,024.2 million, 23.2% of import value, in Jan–Sep 2026, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. For a China seafood export to Korea, the product decides the competition: China supplied over 95% of Korea’s monkfish and live Manila clam but competed with Vietnam in peeled shrimp and surimi.

    Key takeaways

    • China supplied US$1,024.2 million, or 23.2%, of Korea’s seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026, ahead of Russia (16.9%) and Vietnam (14.3%), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • Korea’s imports from China fell 1.4% by value but rose 5.7% by weight in Jan–Sep 2026 against Jan–Sep 2025, as the average customs value fell from US$3.75 to US$3.50 per kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • In Jan–Sep 2026, China held 40.7% of Korea’s frozen peeled shrimp imports and Vietnam 42.4%; in frozen surimi the split was 40.9% and 45.4% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Under the Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule (checked October 2026), frozen long-arm octopus (nakji) pays 20% under the Korea–China FTA and 0% under the Korea–Vietnam FTA.

    How much seafood does Korea import from China?

    China sold Korea US$1,024.2 million of seafood in Jan–Sep 2026, 23.2% of the total and more than any other origin. The volume was 293,024 tonnes. In this article, Korea’s seafood imports means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    OriginJan–Sep 2026ShareJan–Sep 2025Share
    ChinaUS$1,024.2 million23.2%US$1,038.3 million23.7%
    RussiaUS$747.5 million16.9%US$686.9 million15.7%
    VietnamUS$631.8 million14.3%US$602.8 million13.8%
    All originsUS$4,415.6 million100%US$4,383.0 million100%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, retrieved October 15, 2026. Scope: HS 03 and 1603–1605.

    China lost a little ground while Korea’s total rose 0.7% and its two closest rivals grew. For the full ranking, see Korea’s fish imports by country.

    What does Korea buy from China?

    China shipped at least US$100,000 in 190 of Korea’s 10-digit HSK codes in the 12 months to September 2026. The top 10 codes below added up to US$593.6 million, or 58.0% of China’s total in Jan–Sep 2026.

    HSKProductValue from ChinaWeightUS$/kgChina’s share of this HSKNext origin
    0306.17.1090Frozen peeled shrimpUS$127.67 million17,788 t7.1840.7%Vietnam 42.4%
    0307.43.2090Frozen squid, otherUS$82.51 million29,882 t2.7635.1%Peru 24.7%
    0307.51.1000Live or chilled long-arm octopusUS$78.74 million3,668 t21.4699.4%Thailand 0.6%
    0307.52.2000Frozen long-arm octopusUS$73.74 million10,927 t6.7572.0%Vietnam 25.0%
    1605.54.2091Seasoned squidUS$48.89 million9,769 t5.0180.1%Vietnam 17.8%
    0304.99.1000Frozen surimi, otherUS$48.02 million37,196 t1.2940.9%Vietnam 45.4%
    0303.89.9060Frozen monkfishUS$40.97 million18,327 t2.2497.6%USA 2.2%
    1604.19.9090Other prepared fishUS$35.47 million8,183 t4.3380.1%Vietnam 14.0%
    0303.89.5020Frozen large yellow croakerUS$34.14 million5,744 t5.94100%none
    1604.17.9000Prepared eelUS$23.48 million2,118 t11.0898.2%Vietnam 0.8%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026, retrieved October 15, 2026. Share is China’s value as a percentage of all origins in that HSK code.

    Horizontal bar chart of Korea's top 10 imports from China by HSK code, Jan–Sep 2026, led by frozen peeled shrimp at US$127.7 million and frozen squid at US$82.5 million

    Long-arm octopus, live and frozen, brought in US$152.5 million together. Yellow croaker and croaker-type fish are covered in the guide to Korea’s hairtail and croaker imports, and octopus codes in Korea’s octopus imports by HS code.

    Where does China dominate, and where is it contested?

    China is the largest origin in 81 of the 190 codes, and those codes carry 71.5% of its sales to Korea. In 51 codes China holds 90% or more of Korea’s imports. There, a new Chinese supplier competes with other Chinese plants.

    China holds 90% or more (Jan–Sep 2026)China’s shareContested lines (Jan–Sep 2026)China / main rival
    Live or chilled long-arm octopus99.4%Frozen peeled shrimp40.7% / Vietnam 42.4%
    Frozen monkfish97.6%Frozen surimi, other40.9% / Vietnam 45.4%
    Frozen large yellow croaker100%Frozen squid, other35.1% / Peru 24.7%
    Frozen blue crab95.7%Frozen long-arm octopus72.0% / Vietnam 25.0%
    Live or chilled Manila clam100%Frozen webfoot octopus2.7% / Vietnam 82.4%
    Live croaker and live loach100% eachSeasoned squid80.1% / Vietnam 17.8%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026, retrieved October 15, 2026.

    Webfoot octopus (jukkumi) shows how much the form matters. China supplied 92.5% of Korea’s live or chilled webfoot octopus but only 2.7% of the frozen product, where Vietnam held 82.4% and Thailand 13.2%. Clams are covered in the guide to Korea’s clam and shellfish imports.

    In the two biggest contested lines, China gained share over the past year. Its share of frozen peeled shrimp rose from 36.0% in Jan–Sep 2025 to 40.7% in Jan–Sep 2026, and of frozen surimi from 34.9% to 40.9%. Vietnam’s share fell in both.

    Dumbbell chart of China's and Vietnam's shares of Korea's imports in frozen peeled shrimp, frozen surimi and frozen webfoot octopus, Jan–Sep 2025 against Jan–Sep 2026; China rose to 40.7% in shrimp and 40.9% in surimi

    The data does not show why, but one visible difference is price. Korea’s customs value for Chinese product was lower than for Vietnamese in each contested line in Jan–Sep 2026: US$7.18 against US$8.45 per kg in peeled shrimp, and US$1.29 against US$1.85 in surimi. Check the monthly series for frozen shrimp meat import data by origin (free sign-up) and frozen surimi imports into Korea (free sign-up).

    On the origin page for Chinese frozen peeled shrimp, you can check Korea’s monthly customs unit price and SEACHING’s model forecast, shown as a dashed line.

    SEACHING page for frozen peeled shrimp (HS 0306171090) from China, showing Korea's monthly import unit price and the model forecast to February 2027

    How do China’s Korean tariffs compare with Vietnam’s?

    In most contested lines, Vietnamese product pays less duty in Korea than Chinese product. Both FTAs took effect on December 20, 2015, with different cuts by HSK code.

    HSK / productBasic rateKorea–China FTAKorea–Vietnam FTARCEP (China)
    0306.17.1090 frozen peeled shrimp20%8%0% within quota, 20% aboveno line
    0307.43.2090 frozen squid, other20% (22% adjustment tariff)8%0%no line
    0307.52.2000 frozen long-arm octopus20%20%0%no line
    0307.52.3000 frozen webfoot octopus20%8%0%13.3%
    0304.99.1000 frozen surimi, other10%4%0%no line
    1604.19.9090 other prepared fish20%8%0%no line
    1604.17.9000 prepared eel20%20%0%no line
    0303.89.9060 frozen monkfish10%10%10%no line
    0306.14.3090 frozen blue crab20% (WTO 14%)13.8%11.2%no line

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff schedule by HSK code, 2026 rates (January 1 to December 31, 2026). “No line” means the file has no RCEP rate for China in that code.

    First, Vietnam’s 0% on frozen shrimp applies only within a 15,000-tonne yearly quota shared across several shrimp codes in 2026; above it the rate is 20%. Second, frozen long-arm octopus and prepared eel pay 20% from China and 0% from Vietnam. China still held 72.0% of frozen long-arm octopus, so a 20-point gap has not closed the market to Chinese plants. Third, the RCEP rate for China (13.3% on webfoot octopus) is higher than the Korea–China FTA rate (8%), so RCEP gives no advantage in the codes in this table.

    The 2026 file also lists a separate 0% Korea–China FTA line, coded FCN6, for products such as live and frozen long-arm octopus, frozen monkfish, live loach, live Manila clam and seasoned squid. Korea Customs Service names it only as an optional Korea–China FTA rate, and the file does not state its conditions. Ask a customs broker about its conditions before you price on it.

    The importer claims the FTA rate before Korean customs accepts the declaration and must hold proof of origin. These rates are from the 2026 schedule as of October 2026. Confirm the rate for your code and declaration date with a licensed Korean customs broker or on Korea Customs Service UNIPASS. Rate types are explained in the Korea seafood import duty guide.

    What does a Chinese plant need before the first shipment?

    The common steps are in the step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea. This table shows what applies to China.

    StepWhoDocuments or toolsTiming
    1. Check whether your HSK code is China-dominated or contestedExporterKorea’s import data by HSK and originBefore you quote
    2. Choose the Korea–China FTA or RCEP rateExporter with the importer’s customs brokerCertificate of origin for that agreementBefore the import declaration is accepted
    3. Get your plant registered with MFDS through the Chinese authoritiesPlant, via China’s competent authorityGovernment notification to KoreaBefore the import declaration; valid 2 years
    4. Get a health certificate for each shipmentChina’s competent authorityGovernment health certificateEach shipment
    5. Check whether NFQS quarantine appliesExporter with importerAsk NFQS which documents apply to live animals and raw shrimpBefore shipment
    6. File traceability reports after customsKorean importerKorea’s traceability systemWithin 5 days of each transfer

    China is one of the 11 countries with a seafood safety arrangement with Korea, according to a Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) guide dated October 2024. Under that arrangement, the Chinese government notifies Korea of approved plants, only those plants can export, and each shipment needs a government health certificate. Plant registration with MFDS lasts two years under the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control (as of October 2026).

    The National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS) quarantines live aquatic animals and uncooked, uncut frozen or chilled abalone, oysters and shrimp, as of October 2026. That would include live shipments of octopus, clams and fish. Ask NFQS through your importer whether your shrimp product counts as cut.

    Korea and China signed a memorandum on August 20, 2026 to exchange seafood certificates electronically, but no pilot date had been announced as of October 2026. Until then, ask your importer which certificate format customs will accept.

    These rules are summarized as of October 2026. Confirm the final requirements with your Korean importer, a licensed Korean customs broker or the agency concerned before you ship.

    Pre-shipment checklist

    • You know your 10-digit HSK code and China’s share of it in Korea.
    • You know the Korea–China FTA and RCEP rates for that code, and which one your buyer will claim.
    • Your certificate of origin matches that agreement.
    • Your plant is on China’s notified list for Korea, and its MFDS registration is valid on the declaration date.
    • China’s competent authority will issue a health certificate for this shipment.
    • If the product is live or is raw, uncut shrimp, your importer has confirmed with NFQS what the quarantine needs.
    • Your buyer has approved the Korean label and origin text (see Korea’s labeling and origin rules).

    Why can China’s import weight figures mislead?

    Published totals for Korea’s seafood imports from China do not all use the same scope. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries put 2025 imports from China at about 960,000 tonnes and US$1.5 billion. The ministry’s fishery trade statistics also count sea salt (HS 2501). This article counts only HS 03 and 1603–1605, so its tonnage is much lower. Compare weights only when both figures use the same scope.

    How can Chinese suppliers win in contested lines?

    Start with price per kg. In frozen squid, China’s average customs value fell from US$3.44 to US$2.76 per kg between Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026, and Peru’s share of that code rose from 16.2% to 24.7%. Check frozen squid import prices (free sign-up) before you quote, and read the Korea seafood import price benchmark for how to compare offers with customs values.

    Then price in the duty gap from the tariff table above. The Vietnam seafood export guide shows the same market from the other side.

    Before a first order, read why seafood shipments fail Korean import inspection and what Korean seafood importers look for. Other origin guides cover Thailand and Indonesia and the US and Canada.

    Compare China with Vietnam and Peru, product by product

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HSK code, origin and month, built on Korea Customs Service data.

    See how China ranks against Vietnam and Peru for your product in Korea, month by month. Open China’s Korea trade page on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Is the Korea–China FTA rate always lower than the RCEP rate for seafood?

    Not necessarily, but in the codes in this article it was lower, or RCEP had no China line. For frozen webfoot octopus in 2026, the Korea–China FTA rate is 8% and the RCEP rate for China is 13.3%.

    Does Vietnam’s 0% rate on frozen shrimp have a limit?

    Yes. In 2026, Vietnamese frozen shrimp in the listed codes enters at 0% only within 15,000 tonnes a year in total, and pays 20% above that. Chinese peeled shrimp pays 8% under the Korea–China FTA, and the 2026 file shows no quota line for China in that code.

    Who files Korea’s traceability reports for Chinese seafood?

    The Korean importer and later distributors do, not the exporter. Since June 29, 2026, 27 imported seafood items are covered, including frozen squid, and each transfer must be reported within 5 days. The exporter’s part is to send accurate origin and product documents.

    Sources and method

  • South Korea Seafood Imports by Country: Where Korea Buys Its Fish

    South Korea Seafood Imports by Country: Where Korea Buys Its Fish

    Data as of: Korean import data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026; FTA list checked October 15, 2026.

    South Korea’s fish and seafood imports by country are led by China, with 23.2% of import value in Jan–Sep 2026, followed by Russia (16.9%), Vietnam (14.3%) and Norway (10.4%), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Together the four supplied 64.8% of Korea’s US$4,415.6 million in seafood imports.

    The number that matters: 64.8%
    The top four’s share of Korea’s seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 63.1% a year earlier. Each leads different products; the main overlap is China and Vietnam, which split Korea’s frozen peeled shrimp and frozen fish surimi roughly evenly.

    Key takeaways

    • China was Korea’s largest seafood supplier in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$1,024.2 million, 1.4% less than a year earlier (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Russia’s seafood sales to Korea rose 8.8% in value in Jan–Sep 2026, to US$747.5 million, the fastest growth among Korea’s top four suppliers (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Of 83 Korean import lines (10-digit HS codes) worth US$10 million or more in Jan–Sep 2026, China was the largest origin for 23, Russia for 14, Vietnam for 10, Japan for 5 and Norway for 4 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Türkiye climbed from 22nd place among Korea’s seafood origins in 2024 to 12th in Jan–Sep 2026, on frozen bluefin tuna fillets worth US$56.8 million (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Which countries does South Korea import the most seafood from?

    China, Russia, Vietnam and Norway, in that order; Peru, in fifth, supplied less than half of Norway’s share. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    RankOriginValue, Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)ShareVolume (tonnes)Value vs Jan–Sep 2025Volume vs Jan–Sep 2025
    1China1,024.223.2%293,024-1.4%+5.7%
    2Russia747.516.9%184,267+8.8%-11.8%
    3Vietnam631.814.3%115,332+4.8%-4.7%
    4Norway458.410.4%47,496+5.0%-25.8%
    5Peru181.44.1%48,596-8.8%+41.7%
    6Japan161.63.7%23,375+13.2%-39.9%
    7United States137.33.1%38,763+7.3%+0.8%
    8Chile115.12.6%28,943-12.7%+13.7%
    9Thailand96.32.2%13,064-7.5%-6.6%
    10Canada79.71.8%7,194+17.0%+82.1%
    11Taiwan72.91.7%17,690-0.8%-3.4%
    12Türkiye66.41.5%3,134+18.7%+9.1%
    13Argentina49.91.1%7,640-9.0%-17.2%
    14United Kingdom45.41.0%5,001+1.6%+4.6%
    15Indonesia38.80.9%7,797-12.1%-23.7%
    All origins4,415.6100%959,847+0.7%-4.6%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025.

    The top 15 supplied 88.5%. Korea paid 0.7% more for 4.6% less seafood than a year earlier. At least 84 origins shipped US$100,000 or more of seafood to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Korea's top 15 seafood origins by import value, Jan–Sep 2026 against Jan–Sep 2025, led by China at US$1,024 million and Russia at US$748 million

    How has the ranking changed since 2024?

    The top four held the same places in full-year 2024, full-year 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026.

    Origin2024 rank2025 rankJan–Sep 2026 rank
    Peru755
    Japan566
    United States677
    Chile1088
    Canada91110
    Türkiye221412
    United Kingdom181614
    Hong Kong121229

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports by value, HS 03 and 1603–1605. Full years compared with a nine-month total, so only ranks are compared.

    Two moves come from a single product. Türkiye’s frozen bluefin tuna fillets made up 85.6% of its sales to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026. Hong Kong fell because its glass eels for aquaculture (HS 0301.92.1000) dropped from US$87.2 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$12.8 million. Peru has held fifth place since 2025. This year its prepared squid fell 38.6% in value, while its frozen squid volume rose 74.2%. The 2025 full-year review has more.

    What does each country sell to Korea?

    Most large suppliers lead different products. The table lists each main origin’s three biggest 10-digit HS codes and its share of Korea’s imports of that code.

    OriginLargest product (US$ million, origin’s share of Korea’s imports of the code)SecondThird
    ChinaFrozen peeled shrimp, 0306.17.1090 (127.7, 40.7%)Frozen squid, 0307.43.2090 (82.5, 35.1%)Live, fresh or chilled octopus (nakji), 0307.51.1000 (78.7, 99.4%)
    RussiaLive, fresh or chilled snow crab, 0306.33.2000 (125.8, 97.1%)Frozen Alaska pollock, 0303.67.0000 (88.1, 93.9%)Other frozen crab, 0306.14.9090 (84.1, 79.8%)
    VietnamFrozen peeled shrimp, 0306.17.1090 (133.1, 42.4%)Frozen webfoot octopus (jukkumi), 0307.52.3000 (119.5, 82.4%)Breaded shrimp, 1605.21.1000 (62.5, 82.2%)
    NorwayFresh or chilled Atlantic salmon, 0302.14.0000 (199.7, 96.5%)Fresh or chilled salmon fillets, 0304.41.0000 (124.5, 97.0%)Frozen mackerel, 0303.54.0000 (84.5, 78.6%)
    PeruFrozen squid, 0307.43.2090 (58.1, 24.7%)Prepared squid, 1605.54.2099 (56.4, 72.7%)Frozen whiteleg shrimp, 0306.17.9091 (39.7, 59.4%)
    JapanLive yellowtail, 0301.99.2000 (33.4, 100%)Live red sea bream, 0301.99.4091 (33.2, 98.6%)Live, fresh or chilled scallops, 0307.21.9000 (18.4, 91.4%)
    United StatesFrozen pollock surimi, 0304.94.1000 (38.2, 57.7%)Frozen flatfish, 0303.39.1000 (11.9, 27.8%)Frozen flatfish fillets, 0304.83.1000 (8.1, 66.2%)
    ChileFrozen Pacific salmon, 0303.12.0000 (54.1, 90.9%)Frozen squid, 0307.43.2090 (33.0, 14.0%)Frozen salmon fillets, 0304.81.0000 (9.3, 65.4%)
    ThailandFrozen webfoot octopus, 0307.52.3000 (19.1, 13.2%)Other prepared shrimp, 1605.21.9000 (17.3, 27.3%)Breaded shrimp, 1605.21.1000 (13.1, 17.2%)
    CanadaFrozen lobster, 0306.12.9000 (31.9, 99.6%)Live or fresh lobster, 0306.32.0000 (20.9, 99.8%)Frozen rockfish, 0303.89.9050 (7.3, 24.1%)
    TürkiyeFrozen bluefin tuna fillets, 0304.87.1000 (56.8, 39.3%)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026.

    Norway, Russia and Canada each supply more than 95% of Korea’s imports of their largest product. Frozen squid is split: China holds 35.1% of Korea’s imports, Peru 24.7% and Chile 14.0%. See also Korea’s top imported seafood species.

    Why did Russia lose first place, and is it recovering?

    Russia was Korea’s largest seafood supplier in 2022, and its sales fell 17.6% in 2024, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Jan–Sep 2026 its sales rose 8.8% in value, though volume fell 11.8%. Frozen pollock volume fell 24.0%, and frozen sardines almost stopped, from 16,805 tonnes to 991 tonnes. Snow crab value rose 3.3%.

    Russia has no free trade agreement with Korea: it is not on the Korea Customs Service list of FTAs in force (May 2026 list, checked October 15, 2026). In 2026, Russian frozen pollock pays a 22% adjustment tariff and live, fresh or chilled snow crab pays 20%, as of October 2026. The USDA’s 2025 Korea seafood report also notes: “Industry sources report that some of the Russian fishery species were sold to China for further processing and finally exported to the ROK from China.” No public figure shows how much trade this covers. More in Korea’s pollock imports and Russian crab in Korea.

    What does China sell to Korea?

    China sold Korea US$1,024.2 million of seafood in Jan–Sep 2026, 1.4% less than a year earlier, while volume rose 5.7%. Its three largest products are in the table above. The guide to exporting Chinese seafood to Korea covers China in detail.

    Why do other sources rank some countries differently?

    Scope changes the ranking. Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) country tables also count sea salt and fishmeal. In the MOF file for Jan–Jul 2026, salt lifts India and fishmeal lifts Chile. USDA reports use Korea International Trade Association data with another scope. The guide to South Korea’s seafood market size compares these sources.

    Where does your country rank, and who are you competing with?

    Find your country in the first table and its products in the second. Shrimp sellers compete with China and Vietnam, and squid sellers with China, Peru and Chile. Origin guides: Vietnam, Norway, Chile, Peru and Ecuador, India shrimp, Thailand and Indonesia and the US and Canada. The Q3 2026 import report has the latest quarter.

    On SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, each product page has a “By Country” table. The page below, for HS 1605.21.1000 (shrimp covered with bread crumbs or batter), lists value, unit price and volume by origin for October 2025 to September 2026.

    SEACHING By Country table for HS 1605211000, shrimp covered with bread crumbs or batter, showing Korea's import value, unit price and volume from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and China, October 2025 to September 2026

    See your country’s numbers

    Country pages on SEACHING: China–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up), Russia–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up), Vietnam–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up) and Norway–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up).

    See how your country ranks among Korea’s seafood suppliers, product by product and month by month. Open your product’s Korea import page on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    How many countries export seafood to South Korea?

    At least 84 origins shipped US$100,000 or more of seafood (HS 03 and 1603–1605) to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.

    Does South Korea have a free trade agreement with Russia?

    No. Russia is not on the Korea Customs Service list of FTAs in force (May 2026 list, checked October 15, 2026), so Russian seafood pays non-preferential rates, for example 22% on frozen pollock in 2026 (as of October 2026). Confirm the rate for your product with a Korean customs broker.

    Does South Korea import seafood from Japan?

    Yes. Japan was Korea’s sixth-largest seafood origin in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$161.6 million, led by live yellowtail and live red sea bream. Korea has banned all seafood from eight Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, since September 9, 2013, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) (checked October 15, 2026).

    Sources and method

  • Korea’s Seafood Demand Calendar: Holiday and Seasonal Import Peaks

    Korea’s Seafood Demand Calendar: Holiday and Seasonal Import Peaks

    Data as of: Korea’s monthly imports by HS code, October 2023 to September 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Korea’s seasonal seafood demand shows up most clearly before Seollal, not Chuseok. In the two months before each Lunar New Year from 2024 to 2026, Korea’s frozen large yellow croaker imports ran at 2.3 to 2.8 times their monthly average, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data for October 2023 to September 2026.

    The number that matters: 3.3x
    Korea’s December imports of frozen large yellow croaker (HS 0303.89-5020) against its average month, by weight, October 2023 to September 2026. Seollal 2027 falls on February 7.

    Key takeaways

    • In the two months before Seollal 2024, 2025 and 2026, Korea’s frozen large yellow croaker imports were 227%, 279% and 239% of their monthly average by weight (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s frozen mackerel, surimi and long-arm octopus (nakji) imports were also above their monthly average before all three Seollal holidays from 2024 to 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • None of the 18 seafood HS codes analyzed for Korea’s imports ran above 110% of its monthly average by weight before all three Chuseok holidays from 2024 to 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    When does Korea import the most seafood?

    For Korea’s seafood imports as a whole, the seasons are mild: December runs at 114% of the monthly average by weight and June at 89%, over October 2023 to September 2026. Here, Korea’s seafood imports means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    Individual products swing far more. The calendar covers the 12 HS codes with the largest import value, 40.7% of the total over the three years. The index compares each month with that product’s average month, so 150 means 1.5 times a normal month. The 115 and 85 cut-offs are a reading aid, not a statistical test, and are applied before rounding.

    MonthAbove average (index 115 or more)Below average (index 85 or less)
    JanSurimi 177, other live crab 131, pollock 119Long-arm octopus 71, bluefin tuna fillets 82, squid 83
    FebBluefin tuna fillets 135, pollock 118Squid 59, webfoot octopus 82, long-arm octopus 83, peeled shrimp 84
    MarPollock 176, other frozen crab 131Webfoot octopus 75, squid 76, peeled shrimp 84
    AprBluefin tuna fillets 191, other live crab 142, other frozen crab 142, pollock 121None
    MayBluefin tuna fillets 117, squid 115Pollock 60, surimi 74
    JunBluefin tuna fillets 143, squid 126Pollock 17, other live crab 54, surimi 65
    JulSnow crab 145, squid 119Other live crab 23, pollock 53, surimi 76
    AugSquid 119Other live crab 23, bluefin tuna fillets 46, surimi 77, long-arm octopus 83
    SepPollock 137, peeled shrimp 119, salmon fillets 116, squid 116Other live crab 70, long-arm octopus 82
    OctOther live crab 128Bluefin tuna fillets 57, snow crab 80
    NovOther live crab 146, long-arm octopus 140, surimi 133Bluefin tuna fillets 38, other frozen crab 68
    DecLong-arm octopus 168, other live crab 162, surimi 137None

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Oct 2023–Sep 2026; method below. Fresh Atlantic salmon stayed between 90 and 112.

    Heatmap of Korea's monthly import index for its 12 largest seafood HS codes, Oct 2023–Sep 2026: surimi peaks at 177 in January, pollock at 176 in March, other live crab falls to 23 in July and August

    Do imports really rise before Seollal and Chuseok?

    Before Seollal, yes, for some species. Before Chuseok, no. The table compares the two months before each holiday month with that period’s average.

    Product (HS)Seollal 2024Seollal 2025Seollal 2026Chuseok 2024Chuseok 2025Chuseok 2026
    Frozen large yellow croaker (0303.89-5020)227279239734959
    Frozen small yellow croaker (0303.89-5010)215111204234732
    Frozen mackerel (0303.54)191114148407072
    Frozen surimi (0304.99-1000)170128145818278
    Frozen long-arm octopus, nakji (0307.52-2000)128147114998978
    Frozen hairtail (0303.89-2000)8711113712012484
    Frozen peeled shrimp (0306.17-1090)110103101111112102
    Frozen pollock (0303.67)102791309012938
    All seafood in scope1181021159410187

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data; holiday dates from KASI. Index for the two months before the holiday month; window months under Sources and method.

    Bar charts of Korea's monthly import index for frozen large yellow croaker, mackerel and Alaska pollock, Oct 2023–Sep 2026, holidays marked: croaker and mackerel rise above 100 before Seollal, not before Chuseok; pollock has no repeating pattern

    Large yellow croaker is the clearest case: US$228.4 million of imports from October 2023 to September 2026, with a March index of 29. Hairtail rose before two of the three Chuseok holidays (120 and 124) but fell to 84 before Chuseok 2026.

    Seollal always falls in winter, so this data cannot separate a holiday effect from a winter effect. Customs data also shows when goods clear, not when they sell.

    Why do some species not follow the holidays?

    Frozen pollock peaks in March (176) and nearly stops in June (17). Frozen squid runs above average from May to September and falls to 59 in February. Other live crab (HS 0306.33-9000) drops to 23 in July and August.

    Government stock also matters. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) supplied 20,000 tonnes of stockpiled seafood before Chuseok 2026, which MOF called its largest such release. The release ran from August 24 to September 27, 2026, and included 15,700 tonnes of pollock, 1,700 tonnes of squid, 1,500 tonnes of mackerel and 800 tonnes of hairtail, at up to 40% below market prices.

    Korea’s frozen pollock imports in July and August 2026 were 38% of that period’s average month. That partly overlaps the release, but customs data cannot show that one caused the other. Pollock, mackerel and squid sellers should also watch MOF’s holiday supply announcements.

    Is there a summer peak too?

    Not for eel. Korea’s live eel imports (HS 0301.92-9090) ran at 81 in July and peaked from October to December (140 to 146). Squid and snow crab do run high in summer by weight, but snow crab’s value peak is December (157), not July (145 by weight). See Korea’s eel imports and king crab and snow crab imports.

    When should you ship for Seollal and Chuseok 2027?

    Work back from the month the goods must clear Korean customs. For Seollal 2027, the pattern above points to clearance in December 2026 and January 2027. LINKSUP estimates that order, production planning and shipment of frozen seafood typically take about three months, and that this varies a lot by product. Sea transit and Korean inspection come on top.

    HolidayDatePre-holiday import window in the dataOrder by, to ship at the start of the window (about 3 months, LINKSUP estimate)
    Seollal 2027February 7, 2027December 2026 – January 2027September 2026; earlier to allow for transit
    Chuseok 2027September 15, 2027July – August 2027April 2027; earlier to allow for transit

    Sources: Korea AeroSpace Administration 2027 calendar (June 29, 2026); lead time is a LINKSUP estimate, not a statistic.

    For Seollal 2027, that means stock already produced; a new order now is better aimed at Chuseok 2027 or your product’s own peak. The guide to shipping lead times and minimum orders for Korea works through each step. Confirm timing with your importer and a licensed customs broker.

    How these figures were compiled

    The figures come from SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan. Each product is one 10-digit Korean HS code (HSK), summed across origins. The index uses weight; by value, 10 of the 12 largest codes peak in the same month, while snow crab and fresh Atlantic salmon peak in December.

    SEACHING’s Trends tab for large yellow croaker charts import value and unit price for October 2025 to September 2026; the one sharp spike, third from the left, is December 2025.

    SEACHING Trends tab for Korea's frozen large yellow croaker imports (HS 0303895020), showing monthly import value and unit price from October 2025 to September 2026

    With three years of data, one unusual year moves the average: bluefin tuna fillets ran at 127, 199 and 246 in April. Read the calendar as a starting point, not a forecast. See also Korea’s seafood self-sufficiency rate, the Korea seafood import report, hairtail and yellow croaker imports, mackerel prices in Korea and MSC and ASC certification in Korea.

    Check your product’s monthly pattern before you plan shipments

    Compare frozen large yellow croaker imports by month (free sign-up), frozen mackerel imports by month (free sign-up), frozen pollock imports by month (free sign-up) and frozen squid imports by month (free sign-up).

    Before you plan your holiday shipments, look up your own product’s month-by-month Korean imports, origins and customs value per kg. SEACHING shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code and month, built on Korea Customs Service data. Look up your product on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    When are Seollal and Chuseok in 2027?

    Seollal 2027 falls on Sunday, February 7 (holiday February 6–8, substitute holiday February 9). Chuseok 2027 falls on Wednesday, September 15 (holiday September 14–16), according to Korea’s official 2027 calendar.

    Does Korea import more seafood before Chuseok?

    Not consistently. Frozen yellow croaker and mackerel imports were below their monthly average before each Chuseok from 2024 to 2026, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.

    Does the Korean government release seafood stock before holidays?

    It did before Chuseok 2026: MOF supplied 20,000 tonnes of stockpiled seafood from August 24 to September 27, 2026, including 15,700 tonnes of pollock, at up to 40% below market prices.

    Sources and method

  • South Korea Seafood Imports: Q3 2026 Report

    South Korea Seafood Imports: Q3 2026 Report

    Data as of: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026. 2026 figures can still be revised.

    South Korea’s seafood imports totaled US$1,467.6 million in the third quarter of 2026 (July–September), down 2.4% from Q3 2025, while weight fell 15.2% to 300,529 tonnes, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. China supplied 23.0% of the value, and shrimp was the largest species group at US$205.5 million.

    The number that matters: −31.5%
    The fall in Korea’s squid and cuttlefish imports in Q3 2026, to US$158.3 million. That US$72.7 million loss is twice the total decline. Without squid, Korea’s seafood imports rose 2.9%.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s seafood imports were US$4,415.6 million in Jan–Sep 2026, up 0.7% on Jan–Sep 2025, while weight fell 4.6% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • China (23.0%), Russia (17.4%), Vietnam (15.3%) and Norway (10.5%) supplied 66.3% of Korea’s seafood import value in Q3 2026, in the same order as in Q3 2025, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • In Q3 2026, Korea’s squid and cuttlefish imports fell 31.5% to US$158.3 million, while salmon rose 12.7% to US$122.5 million (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s average seafood import price rose 15.1% to US$4.88/kg in Q3 2026, but prices at HS-code level rose 3.1%; the rest is product mix (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    How much seafood did South Korea import in Q3 2026?

    Korea imported US$1,467.6 million of seafood in Q3 2026, 2.4% less than a year earlier. Weight fell faster, so the average value per kilo rose 15.1%.

    Here, Korea’s seafood imports means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed, salt and fishmeal are excluded.

    Korea’s seafood importsQ3 2025Q3 2026Change
    Value (US$ million)1,503.41,467.6−2.4%
    Weight (tonnes)354,366300,529−15.2%
    Average unit price (US$/kg)4.244.88+15.1%
    Jan–Sep value (US$ million)4,383.04,415.6+0.7%
    Jan–Sep weight (tonnes)1,005,656959,847−4.6%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605, Q3 and Jan–Sep of 2025 and 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    July was the weak month, August was up, and September was slightly down. Weight fell in all three months.

    Month2025 (US$ million)2026 (US$ million)Value changeWeight change
    July503.4452.1−10.2%−26.4%
    August442.4472.0+6.7%−4.4%
    September557.6543.5−2.5%−12.8%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605, July–September 2025 and 2026.

    Which countries supplied Korea’s seafood imports in Q3 2026?

    China was Korea’s largest seafood supplier in Q3 2026 with 23.0% of import value, followed by Russia, Vietnam and Norway. Together the top four supplied 66.3%, and the top 10 supplied 83.1%.

    RankOriginQ3 2025 (US$ million)Q3 2026 (US$ million)Share, Q3 2026ChangeRank, Q3 2025
    1China334.5337.923.0%+1.0%1
    2Russia251.9256.117.4%+1.6%2
    3Vietnam225.8224.215.3%−0.7%3
    4Norway140.8154.210.5%+9.5%4
    5Peru82.558.34.0%−29.3%5
    6Japan44.045.83.1%+4.0%7
    7United States49.345.63.1%−7.5%6
    8Canada39.139.22.7%+0.4%8
    9Thailand34.929.72.0%−14.8%9
    10Chile24.528.41.9%+16.0%12
    All other origins276.2248.216.9%−10.1%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports by origin, HS 03 and 1603–1605, Q3 2025 and Q3 2026. Shares are of total Q3 2026 import value.

    Grouped bar chart of Korea's seafood import value by origin, Q3 2025 vs Q3 2026, for the top 10 origins, led by China at US$337.9 million in Q3 2026

    Russia’s value rose 1.6% while its weight fell 35.7%, led by 21,294 fewer tonnes of whole frozen Alaska pollock. Peru fell 29.3% but still ranked fifth. Outside the top 10, Türkiye more than doubled to US$20.8 million, of which US$17.5 million was frozen bluefin tuna fillets.

    The ranking of Korea’s seafood suppliers by country has the full list. See also the Vietnam export guide and the Norway export guide.

    Which species groups did Korea import most in Q3 2026?

    Shrimp stayed Korea’s largest seafood import group in Q3 2026 at US$205.5 million, nearly flat on Q3 2025. Squid and cuttlefish stayed second despite a 31.5% fall. The species groups cover 67.0% of Q3 import value.

    Species groupValue (US$ million)Weight (tonnes)US$/kgValue changeLeading origin (share)
    Shrimp205.529,7606.91−0.3%Vietnam (42.3%)
    Squid and cuttlefish158.345,2853.50−31.5%China (33.5%)
    Salmon122.510,14412.07+12.7%Norway (90.3%)
    Long-arm octopus (nakji)67.05,58012.02−4.8%China (88.4%)
    Alaska pollock fillets, surimi and roe57.215,9883.58−3.5%Russia (74.0%)
    Webfoot octopus (jukkumi)55.97,6377.32+1.3%Vietnam (85.7%)
    Tuna47.75,6228.48+44.5%Türkiye (38.2%)
    Mackerel46.68,0435.79+19.2%Norway (86.0%)
    Snow crab, live and fresh45.02,09721.47+15.0%Russia (99.8%)
    Other crab, frozen38.43,9039.83+23.0%Russia (80.6%)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Q3 2026; change is against Q3 2025. Species groups are LINKSUP’s grouping of HSK codes, listed under Sources and method.

    Frozen peeled shrimp (HSK 0306.17.1090) was the largest single code at US$110.2 million, 42.4% from Vietnam. Frozen squid (0307.43.2090, “other squid, frozen”) was second at US$85.3 million, down 39.1%, and fresh Atlantic salmon (0302.14.0000) was third at US$68.6 million, up 14.5%.

    Korea paid 33.0% more for frozen mackerel (0303.54.0000) but took 27.9% less by weight, as the price rose from US$2.78/kg to US$5.14/kg. Norway supplied 90.9%. See the mackerel price analysis, the salmon guide, the shrimp guide and the ranking of what Korea imports most.

    What stood out this quarter?

    Squid explains the whole decline. Korea’s squid and cuttlefish imports fell by US$72.7 million; total seafood imports fell by US$35.8 million. Without squid, Korea’s Q3 seafood imports rose 2.9% to US$1,309.3 million.

    Frozen squid (0307.43.2090) dropped 21.2% in weight and 22.8% in unit price, to US$2.61/kg. Customs data does not show why. For context, Korea’s own squid catch rose 128.5% to 31,006 tonnes in 2025, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF). If you sell squid, check your buyers’ 2026 order sizes before quoting for 2027. The squid import guide covers origins and codes.

    The Trends tab of SEACHING’s page for this code plots Korea’s monthly import value and unit price for the latest year, so you can see whether the two moved together.

    SEACHING Trends tab for other frozen squid (HS 0307432090), data period 2025-10 to 2026-09, with a 12-month chart of Korea's import value and unit price

    Of the 53,838 tonnes Korea’s imports lost in Q3, whole frozen Alaska pollock accounted for 39% (down 58.5% to 14,832 tonnes) and squid and cuttlefish for 20%.

    How should you read these numbers?

    Read the average unit price as a mix figure, not a market price. At each HS code’s Q3 2025 price, Korea’s Q3 2026 imports would have been worth US$1,423.5 million; the actual figure was 3.1% higher. The rest of the 15.1% rise comes from fewer kilos of cheap products, such as whole frozen pollock at US$1.58/kg.

    Notes on method:

    • Unit price is customs value divided by weight. Korea values imports at CIF, so compare it with your CIF price.
    • Scope is narrower than some official totals. The guide to Korea’s seafood market size explains why published totals differ.

    How can you check Q3 imports of your own product?

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, has a page for each 10-digit HSK code. Compare July–September 2026 with the same months of 2025: frozen peeled shrimp import data on SEACHING (free sign-up), frozen squid imports by month (free sign-up), fresh Atlantic salmon imports by origin (free sign-up) and whole frozen Alaska pollock imports (free sign-up).

    You may quote the figures in this report with attribution: “Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, July–September 2026.” For other species, origins or months, query the data on SEACHING (free sign-up).

    FAQ

    Which country supplies the most seafood to South Korea?

    China supplied 23.0% of Korea’s seafood import value in Q3 2026, or US$337.9 million, ahead of Russia (17.4%) and Vietnam (15.3%), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data (HS 03 and 1603–1605).

    Why do different sources give different totals for Korea’s seafood imports?

    Sources use different product scopes and price bases. Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries totals include salt and other non-fish lines, while this report covers HS 03 and 1603–1605 only. Korea’s customs values are CIF, so they include freight and insurance to the Korean port.

    Sources and method

    • SEACHING, Korea Customs Service import data by 10-digit HSK code and origin, monthly, July 2025 to September 2026 and January–September of 2025 and 2026, queried October 15, 2026
    • Korea Customs Service trade statistics, source of the customs data, accessed October 15, 2026
    • Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries press release on 2025 fisheries production, February 26, 2026
    • Scope: HS chapter 03 plus HS 1603, 1604 and 1605 (516 HSK codes). Seaweed (1212), salt (2501) and non-food codes (0511, 1521, 2301) excluded.
    • Origin totals add up each origin’s code-level imports; origins with under US$100,000 of a code in the 12 months to September 2026 are counted in “All other origins”.
    • Species groups (HSK): shrimp 0306.16/17/35/36/95 and 1605.21/29; squid and cuttlefish 0307.42/43/49 and 1605.54; salmon 0302.13/14, 0303.11–13, 0304.41/81, 0305.41; long-arm octopus 0307.51.1000 and 0307.52.2000; Alaska pollock fillets, surimi and roe 0304.75, 0304.94, 0303.91.2010; webfoot octopus 0307.51.2000 and 0307.52.3000; tuna 0302.3x, 0303.4x, 0304.87; mackerel 0302.44, 0303.54, 0304.89.5000; snow crab 0306.33.2000; other frozen crab 0306.14.9090. Nineteen groups in total cover 67.0% of Q3 2026 value.
    • Unit price is customs value (CIF, US$) divided by weight (kg).
  • Korea’s Cod Imports: Origins, Prices and Frozen vs Fillet

    Korea’s Cod Imports: Origins, Prices and Frozen vs Fillet

    Data as of: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026. Tariff rates from the Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule, checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea’s cod imports are mostly frozen whole fish, not fillets. In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea imported 6,589 tonnes of frozen cod worth US$35.2 million, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Russia supplied 75.2% at US$6.16/kg and the US 19.8% at US$3.95/kg. Volume fell 23.5% from a year earlier.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported 6,589 tonnes of frozen cod (HSK 0303.63.0000) worth US$35.2 million in Jan–Sep 2026: value up 3.0% and volume down 23.5% on Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Russia supplied 75.2% of Korea’s frozen cod imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$6.16/kg, up from US$4.13/kg a year earlier, while its volume fell 36.1% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • US frozen cod cleared Korean customs at US$3.95/kg in Jan–Sep 2026, up 13.4% on Jan–Sep 2025, with volume flat at 1,764 tonnes (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Frozen cod fillets (HSK 0304.71.0000) were a US$4.6 million market in Jan–Sep 2026, at an average of US$9.79/kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • In 2026, frozen cod pays 0% duty in Korea from the US, Canada and Norway, and the 10% base rate from Russia, which has no FTA with Korea (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    Cod in Korea at a glance

    ItemJan–Sep 2026
    SizeUS$41.0 million across four cod codes; frozen whole cod is 85.8% of that value
    Top origins (frozen whole)Russia 75.2%, US 19.8%, Japan 4.4%
    Price band (customs value)Frozen whole US$3.25–6.16/kg (Russia, US, Japan); frozen fillets US$8.22–15.25/kg (top five origins)
    Main HS codes0303.63.0000 frozen cod; 0304.71.0000 frozen cod fillets
    Tariff, frozen cod (2026)10% base and Russia; 0% US, Canada, EFTA, Chile; 5% ASEAN

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule.

    How much cod does Korea import, and from where?

    Korea imported US$41.0 million and 7,211 tonnes of cod across four HS codes in Jan–Sep 2026. Frozen whole cod made up 85.8% of the value, fillets 11.2%, dried cod 2.7% and fresh cod 0.3%. Cod is a small line in Korea’s seafood trade: 0.93% of Korea’s seafood imports in the same months. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    Frozen whole cod is where the volume is, and two origins dominate it.

    OriginJan–Sep 2025 (US$ million)Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)Share of value, 2026Tonnes, 2026US$/kg, 2025 → 2026
    Russia27.7626.4675.2%4,2974.13 → 6.16
    United States6.196.9719.8%1,7643.48 → 3.95
    Japan0.0031.544.4%4733.25 (2026)
    Canada0.130.200.6%501.85 → 4.00
    All origins34.1335.17100%6,5893.96 → 5.34

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, HSK 0303.63.0000, imports, Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Three things stand out. First, Korea paid slightly more for much less fish: value rose 3.0% while tonnage fell 23.5%. Second, Russia’s share slipped from 81.3% to 75.2%: its tonnage dropped 36.1% and its value 4.7%, while US value rose 12.7%. Third, Japan went from almost nothing (3 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2025) to 473 tonnes.

    The longer view gives the same order of origins. In full-year 2024, Russia shipped 9,027 tonnes of frozen cod to Korea worth US$27.1 million, and the US 2,284 tonnes worth US$7.4 million. In 2025, Korea’s frozen cod imports reached US$44.0 million and 11,022 tonnes, with Russia at 79.6% of the value. The 2024 figures cover origins with at least US$100,000 of trade in the 12 months to September 2026, so very small origins may be missing from the 2024 totals.

    For a US or Canadian seller, this data means US cod already holds about a fifth of Korea’s frozen cod imports by value, and Russian cod is the largest line a buyer can compare an offer with. The guide to what US and Canadian exporters sell to Korea covers the other species on that route.

    Why does Russian cod cost more per kg than US cod in Korea?

    Russian frozen cod averaged US$6.16/kg at Korean customs in Jan–Sep 2026, against US$3.95/kg for US cod. This gap is new. In 2024, Russian cod averaged US$3.00/kg and US cod US$3.24/kg, so Russian fish was the cheaper of the two.

    The change came from Russia’s side. Russia’s monthly customs price ran between US$2.26 and US$3.47/kg from October 2023 to December 2024. It reached US$7.05/kg in July 2026 and US$7.35/kg in September 2026, against US$3.72/kg in September 2025. In Q3 (Jul–Sep), Russian cod averaged US$7.02/kg in 2026 against US$4.32/kg in 2025, while Korea took 1,918 tonnes instead of 3,103. US cod rose more slowly, from US$3.55/kg to US$4.29/kg over the same quarters.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly import price for frozen cod from Russia and the US, October 2023 to September 2026, with Russian cod rising from about US$3/kg to US$7.35/kg in September 2026 against US$4.17/kg for US cod

    Korean news reports point the same way. Herald Business reported in July 2026 that imported frozen cod cost KRW 8,120/kg in June 2026, 40.8% more than a year earlier. That is a market price in won, not a customs value, so do not compare it directly with the US$/kg figures above.

    Customs data does not say why Russian cod became dearer. A customs price is the declared value divided by net weight, valued on a CIF basis, so several things move it. Before you read the gap as “Korea will pay more for my cod”, check these variables:

    VariableWhy it moves the customs priceWhat to check
    SpeciesAtlantic and Pacific cod share one code, so the average mixes themAsk the buyer which species they compare with
    Product formHeaded and gutted and round fish share one codeYour form against the buyer’s specification
    Size gradeAll grades share one codeGrade breakdown in the offer
    TimingCustoms data is counted by month of import, not by contract dateMonths in which the shipments landed
    FreightCIF value includes freight to KoreaYour CIF, not FOB, price

    The guide to benchmarking your price against Korean customs prices explains how to compare an offer with these averages without mixing forms or terms.

    When does Korea import the most frozen cod?

    Korea imports frozen cod all year, but arrivals bunch up. In the 12 months to September 2026, November 2025 took 15.2% of the volume, July 2026 12.2% and February 2026 11.0%. October 2025 and April 2026 each took less than 4%.

    The six months from October to March took 54.4% of the 12-month volume. This is one year of monthly data, so treat it as a pattern rather than a fixed calendar. The 2025 data shows similar peaks in February, July and November.

    Because arrivals cluster in a few months, ask a Korean buyer when they plan to book before you plan your production. The Trends tab for the frozen cod code on SEACHING shows Korea’s monthly import value and unit price, so you can check whether the pattern holds when new months are added.

    Frozen whole cod vs fillets: why is Korea’s fillet market so small?

    Korea’s frozen cod fillet imports were US$4.6 million and 469 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, against US$35.2 million for whole frozen cod. The fillet line is not growing: value fell 3.6% and volume 27.1% from Jan–Sep 2025.

    OriginShare of fillet value, Jan–Sep 2026US$/kg, Jan–Sep 2026
    Russia61.0%9.24
    United States22.3%11.94
    China5.6%8.22
    Vietnam5.4%8.63
    Norway2.4%15.25
    All origins100%9.79

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, HSK 0304.71.0000, imports, Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Here the price order flips. US fillets cost more per kg than Russian fillets, and Norway’s small volume came in at US$15.25/kg. China and Vietnam each supplied just over 5% of the fillet value in 2026, against 0.1% and nothing in Jan–Sep 2025.

    The data shows what Korea buys, not why. Read as a seller, it means a fillet offer competes for a pool about one-eighth the value of whole frozen cod, while a whole-cod offer enters the bigger pool, where Russian supply is the main comparison. The article on why Korean buyers search by species, state and form explains how to describe your product for them.

    Bar chart of Korea's import price per kg for frozen whole cod and frozen cod fillets from Russia and the US, Jan–Sep 2026

    Which HS codes cover cod in Korea?

    Korea classifies cod under four 10-digit codes (HSK), one for each form. All four cover the Gadus species: Atlantic cod (G. morhua), Greenland cod (G. ogac) and Pacific cod (G. macrocephalus).

    HSKProductJan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)Main origin, 2026Base duty, 2026
    0303.63.0000Cod, frozen (other than fillets)35.17Russia10%
    0304.71.0000Cod fillets, frozen4.59Russia10%
    0305.51.0000Cod, dried, salted or not (not smoked)1.12China (100%)20%
    0302.51.0000Cod, fresh or chilled0.13China (97.8%)20%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule.

    Pacific and Atlantic cod share the same code, so customs data cannot split them. Fresh cod imports fell from US$0.56 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$0.13 million in Jan–Sep 2026. Dried cod comes only from China, at US$12.04/kg. The guide to Korea’s seafood import duty explains how to look up any other code.

    Hake, sablefish or cod: which “cod” are you actually selling?

    Hake and sablefish are separate markets in Korea with their own codes, origins and prices. Adding them to cod makes Korea’s cod market look bigger than it is. Korea’s own HS descriptions use three different names: daegu for cod, mindaegu for hake and eundaegu for sablefish.

    CodHakeSablefish (black cod)
    Korean name in the HSKdaegumindaegueundaegu
    GenusGadusMerluccius, UrophycisAnoplopoma
    HSK, frozen whole0303.63.00000303.66.00000303.89.1000
    Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)35.179.351.16
    US$/kg, Jan–Sep 20265.341.649.14
    Main originsRussia, USVanuatu, MexicoUS

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Frozen hake is a fast-growing, low-price line. Korea imported US$9.35 million and 5,685 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, up 34.3% in value, with Vanuatu at 47.6% and Mexico at 45.2%. In 2024 it was a US$1.47 million line, almost all from Mexico (origins with at least US$100,000 of trade in the 12 months to September 2026). Frozen hake fillets (HSK 0304.74.0000) came only from China, at US$3.31/kg.

    Sablefish is a small, high-price line. Korea imported US$1.16 million in Jan–Sep 2026, 87.7% from the US at US$10.86/kg and the rest from Russia at US$4.30/kg. If you sell sablefish as “black cod”, put the HSK and the Latin name on the offer so the buyer can match it to the right code.

    What tariff does cod pay in Korea by origin?

    As of October 2026, frozen whole cod pays a 10% base duty in Korea, and FTAs cut it to 0% for the US, Canada, Norway (EFTA), Chile, Australia and Peru. Russia has no FTA with Korea, so Russian cod pays the 10% base rate.

    OriginFrozen cod 0303.63Frozen cod fillets 0304.71Fresh cod 0302.51Dried cod 0305.51
    No FTA (e.g., Russia)10%10%20%20%
    United States0%0%0%0%
    Canada0%0%0%0%
    Norway, Iceland (EFTA)0%0%0%0%
    EU, UK (Jan–Jun 2026)0%0%0%0%
    Japan10% (no RCEP cut listed)6.7% (RCEP)20%20%
    China10%0%18%20%
    ASEAN (Korea–ASEAN FTA)5%0%5%0%
    New Zealand2%2%0%0%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff rates by item 2026 (data.go.kr file dated February 11, 2026), rates for January 1–December 31, 2026; EU and UK rates listed through June 30, 2026. Checked October 15, 2026.

    Two points matter for pricing. A US or Canadian seller starts 10 percentage points ahead of Russian cod on duty, if the importer claims the FTA rate with valid proof of origin before customs clears the goods. And Japan’s 2026 file lists no RCEP rate for whole frozen cod, so Japanese cod appears to pay the 10% base rate; confirm it on UNIPASS.

    The file does not list EU and UK rates after June 30, 2026, so check them on UNIPASS before you quote. Tariff rates change each January, and FTA rates follow each agreement’s schedule. Confirm the rate for your shipment with a licensed customs broker before you price it.

    What do you need before shipping cod to Korea?

    Before the first shipment, your processing plant has to be registered with Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as a foreign food manufacturer. Registration is valid for two years. Russia is one of 11 countries whose seafood plants register through a government-to-government agreement, not online, according to MFDS’s October 2024 registration guide. For those origins, each shipment also needs the exporting government’s health certificate.

    The Korean importer files the import declaration and pays the duty; your job is the registration, the documents and the proof of origin. The step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea covers each step, and the guide to Russian crab in Korea shows how another Russian species is traded into Korea.

    How to check this yourself in SEACHING

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code, origin and month. Open the frozen cod code and the “By Country” table lists each origin’s import value, unit price and volume for the latest 12 months.

    SEACHING By Country table for Korea's frozen cod imports (HS 0303630000), listing Russia, the United States, Japan, Canada and Portugal with value, unit price and volume for October 2025 to September 2026

    In the screenshot, you can compare Russia, the US and Japan side by side on value, US$/kg and tonnes. The table covers the latest 12 months, so its figures differ from the Jan–Sep totals above. Each origin also has its own SEACHING page with month-by-month import prices; the Russian and US monthly series in this article come from those pages.

    Related guides:

    • South Korea seafood imports: Q3 2026 report
    • What seafood Korea imports the most, by species
    • Korea’s pollock imports from Russia and the US

    Before you quote a Korean buyer, check how much frozen cod Korea imported last month, from which origins and at what customs value per kg. SEACHING shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code and month, built on Korea Customs Service data. Look up cod on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Is Pacific cod the same HS code as Atlantic cod in Korea?

    Yes. Korea classifies frozen Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) under the same code, HSK 0303.63.0000, with fillets under 0304.71.0000. Korea’s customs data therefore cannot show the two species separately. Name the species on your offer and invoice so the buyer can compare like with like.

    Does Korea import salted or dried cod?

    Only a little. Korea imported US$1.12 million of dried cod, salted or not (HSK 0305.51.0000), in Jan–Sep 2026, all of it from China at US$12.04/kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). The base duty on this code is 20% in 2026.

    What price should I expect for frozen cod in Korea?

    There is no single price. The average customs value for frozen whole cod was US$5.34/kg in Jan–Sep 2026, but US$6.16/kg for Russian and US$3.95/kg for US cod (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). These are CIF customs values, not wholesale or retail prices, so compare them with your CIF offer.

    Sources and method

  • Why Korean Seafood Buyers Search by Species, State and Form, Not HS Code

    Why Korean Seafood Buyers Search by Species, State and Form, Not HS Code

    Data as of October 2026: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data through September 2026; Codex and other definitions checked October 15, 2026.

    A Korean seafood product specification names the species, state, processing, form and size, and Korean buyers compare offers on those terms. The HS code is for customs. One code, “other frozen squid”, covered US$235.3 million of Korea’s imports in Jan–Sep 2026, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s “other frozen squid” code (HSK 0307.43.2090) was the second-largest seafood import code in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$235.3 million or 5.3% of Korea’s seafood imports (HS chapter 03 and 1603–1605), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • Korea’s Alaska pollock imports split across five main HS codes in Jan–Sep 2026, priced from US$1.28/kg for frozen whole fish to US$4.36/kg for frozen roe (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Codex standards for quick frozen fillets and shrimp declare net content without the glaze; agree the net weight basis with your Korean buyer in writing.

    Definition: HS code vs buyer specification
    An HS code classifies a product for customs duty and trade statistics. A buyer specification describes what the buyer will receive: species, state (live, fresh or frozen), processing, form, size and packing. The buyer prices the specification; the importer needs the code for the import declaration.

    Why isn’t an HS code enough for a Korean buyer?

    An HS code is too coarse to price a product. LINKSUP, the Busan importer that built SEACHING, describes HS codes as an administrative classification with many “other” lines.

    Squid shows the gap. In Jan–Sep 2026, the “other frozen squid” code held 95.0% of the US$247.7 million Korea paid under its two frozen squid codes. The code that names its genera took only US$12.4 million. Inside the “other” line, the average price fell from US$3.53/kg in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$2.49/kg in Jan–Sep 2026 while volume rose 4.5%. The code cannot tell a buyer whether squid got cheaper or the mix of species and sizes changed.

    The reverse also happens: one species sits in several codes. Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus; Korea’s tariff schedule still uses Theragra chalcogramma) is myeongtae in Korean, and frozen pollock is often called dongtae.

    Pollock productHSK codeKorea’s imports, Jan–Sep 2026VolumeUS$/kg
    Frozen whole or headed and gutted0303.67.0000US$93.9M73,204 t1.28
    Frozen surimi (yeonyuk)0304.94.1000US$66.2M22,896 t2.89
    Frozen roe (myeongnan)0303.91.2010US$57.2M13,131 t4.36
    Frozen fillets0304.75.0000US$46.9M14,838 t3.16
    Fresh or chilled0302.55.0000US$2.3M643 t3.56

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026. Unit price is declared customs value divided by weight.

    Frozen roe cleared at 3.4 times the price per kg of frozen whole fish in Jan–Sep 2026. On this data, the species name alone does not set the price; the product form does. Frozen pollock import data on SEACHING (free sign-up) shows each line by month and origin, and the page header shows where the code sits in the tariff tree, so you can check the neighbouring codes.

    SEACHING page header for HS 0303670000, titled Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), with the classification path Ch. 03, Hdg. 03, Sub. 67, 0000 and the data period 2025-10 to 2026-09

    How do Korean buyers describe a seafood product?

    LINKSUP’s product classification, described below, sorts Korea’s seafood imports by species, state, processing and form, among other attributes. An offer needs those four plus a size grade. The pollock table above shows how much processing alone moves the customs value per kg.

    Diagram of five attributes for describing a seafood product: species, state, processing, form and size, with frozen Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), headed and gutted, block frozen, graded by fish weight as the example

    AxisWhat the buyer wants to knowExample (pollock)
    SpeciesCommon, scientific and Korean nameAlaska pollock, Gadus chalcogrammus, myeongtae
    StateLive, fresh or chilled, frozenFrozen
    ProcessingWhole, headed and gutted, filleted, minced, roeHeaded and gutted
    FormIQF pieces, block, retail packBlock
    SizeWeight or length grade, or count per kgGrade by fish weight

    Example layout. Values are illustrative, not a buyer requirement.

    The species line matters most when your product falls into an “other” code. Whiteleg shrimp has its own frozen code, which cleared US$66.8 million at US$6.39/kg in Jan–Sep 2026. The “other frozen shrimp” code cleared US$34.4 million at US$9.65/kg, and its name does not say which species is inside.

    What do HG, HGT, block, IQF and glaze mean on a Korean request?

    If your offer uses English trade abbreviations, define them on the sheet.

    TermMeaningReference
    WR (whole round)The whole fish, not headed or guttedUS 50 CFR 679 product code 01
    HGHeaded and gutted. Western cut: head removed just in front of the collar bone; Eastern cut: just behind it50 CFR 679 codes 07, 08
    HGTHeaded, gutted, tail removed50 CFR 679 code 10
    Fillet, bonelessMeat from the sides of the body; “boneless” only if pin bones are removedCodex CXS 190, 2.3
    BlockA uniformly shaped mass of fillets, minced flesh or both, frozen together, usually for further processingCodex CXS 165, 2.1
    IQFIndividually quick frozen: pieces frozen separately, not as one block. Codex does not define IQF as a termCodex quick frozen standards
    GlazeA thin ice layer that protects frozen product. Codex net content excludes itCodex CXS 190 and CXS 92, 6.2
    CountPieces per unit of weight or per packageCodex CXS 92, 2.3
    PD, PUD (shrimp)Trade shorthand; write “peeled, deveined” or “peeled, undeveined” in fullNot defined in Codex

    Sources: US eCFR 50 CFR Part 679 Table 1a (October 1, 2026 edition); Codex CXS 165, CXS 190 and CXS 92 (2014 amendments), checked October 15, 2026.

    Glaze changes the weight the buyer pays for. Codex declares net content without the glaze, and the UK’s Seafish guidance adds that size grades should also exclude it. Put the glaze percentage, net weight basis and size basis in writing before you quote. The label itself is covered in Korean food labeling for seafood.

    What should an offer sheet for a Korean buyer include?

    An offer sheet should answer the five axes first, then the trade terms. Every value below is an example.

    FieldExample entry
    SpeciesAlaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), Korean: myeongtae
    StateFrozen at sea
    Processing and formHG, Western cut, block frozen
    Size gradeLength or weight per fish, in cm or g
    Glaze and weight basisGlaze % stated; price per kg net weight, glaze excluded
    PackingCarton weight, blocks per carton, inner bag
    DatesCatch or production month; shelf life
    OriginCatch area, vessel flag or plant country, plant registration number
    HSK code (10-digit)0303.67.0000
    Price and IncotermUS$ per kg, CFR Busan
    Payment termsAs agreed, e.g. L/C at sight or T/T
    Quantity and shipmentContainers or tonnes; shipment month

    Example layout. Values are illustrative and are not a quote or a buyer requirement.

    Keep the HSK code on the sheet for duty, as the guide to Korea’s seafood import duty explains. Before your first offer, read what Korean seafood importers check before a first order. If the sheet goes with your first email, read why Korean buyers ignore cold emails too. SEACHING Quote Check (free sign-up) compares a priced commercial invoice with Korean customs prices; a price list without amounts is not analyzed.

    Common misconceptions

    “The HS code is not needed on an offer.” It is. Put it next to the buyer terms, not instead of them.

    “The English species name is enough.” Add the scientific name, as the pollock example shows, and ask the buyer which Korean name they use.

    “Product specification means the Korean food standard.” Korea’s Food Code (Sikpum Gongjeon) sets legal food standards, a separate layer. This article covers the commercial specification a buyer uses to compare offers.

    How SEACHING maps HS codes to the products buyers trade

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code, origin and month from Korea Customs Service data. Because many HS lines are “other” lines, SEACHING matches Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) import declarations (product name, type, country of manufacture, exporter) to the customs data by HS code. It then reclassifies products by species, representative product, item, state, processing and form, using a patented classification system.

    Start with what sits inside Korea’s “other frozen squid” code (free sign-up), then read how Korea’s seafood importers are structured, how to find seafood buyers in Korea and why octopus, long-arm and webfoot octopus have separate codes.

    Check Korea’s imports of your product

    Before you contact a Korean buyer, look up how much of your product Korea already imports, from which origins and at what customs value per kg. SEACHING shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code and month, built on Korea Customs Service data. Look up your product on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Should I put the HS code on my offer sheet to a Korean buyer?

    Yes. Put the 10-digit Korean HSK code next to the product description. The importer needs it for duty and the import declaration. Confirm the code with the importer or a licensed Korean customs broker.

    Do Korean buyers quote prices on net weight or gross weight with glaze?

    Agree it in writing for each contract. Codex standards for quick frozen fillets and shrimp declare net content without the glaze, so price per kg net weight, glaze excluded, is the clearest basis.

    Do Korean buyers prefer IQF or block frozen seafood?

    It depends on the use. Codex describes blocks as usually intended for further processing. Ask the buyer what their customer does with the product before you choose a freezing form.

    Sources and method