SEACHING｜Bridging Korea and the global seafood market.

Category: Species Guides

  • Korea’s Surimi Imports: Origins and Prices for Fish Cake Makers

    Korea’s Surimi Imports: Origins and Prices for Fish Cake Makers

    Data as of: Korea Customs Service data through September 2026 (SEACHING, queried October 15, 2026). Tariffs checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea imported US$184.0 million of frozen surimi in Jan–Sep 2026, up 3.4% from Jan–Sep 2025, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Vietnam (29.2%), China (26.1%), the United States (20.8%) and Russia (15.2%) led by value. Pollock surimi averaged US$2.89 per kg and other surimi US$1.60.

    The number that matters: US$2.89 vs US$1.60 per kg
    Korea’s average customs price, pollock surimi against other surimi, Jan–Sep 2026. In pollock surimi, US suppliers shipped more tonnes than Russia again, after Russia led in Jan–Sep 2025.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported US$184.0 million and 96,383 tonnes of frozen surimi in Jan–Sep 2026, 4.2% of its seafood imports (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • US suppliers shipped 11,888 tonnes of pollock surimi to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026 against Russia’s 11,007, reversing Russia’s lead in Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • China’s share of Korea’s other surimi imports (HSK 0304.99.1000) rose from 34.9% in Jan–Sep 2025 to 40.9% in Jan–Sep 2026; Vietnam’s fell from 50.7% to 45.4% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Where does Korea import surimi from?

    Vietnam was the largest supplier of surimi to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026 by value, and China the largest by weight. Two HSK codes carry almost all the trade: pollock surimi (0304.94.1000) and other surimi (0304.99.1000).

    OriginJan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)ShareTonnesUS$/kgShare, Jan–Sep 2025
    Vietnam53.6429.2%28,9911.8533.0%
    China48.0226.1%37,1961.2922.8%
    United States38.2220.8%11,8883.2117.6%
    Russia27.9815.2%11,0072.5417.3%
    India12.026.5%5,4882.195.1%
    Pakistan1.640.9%8162.011.3%
    Thailand1.090.6%4082.670.8%
    Indonesia0.750.4%3262.311.6%
    All origins183.9896,3831.91

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HSK 0304.94.1000, 0304.99.1000, 0304.93.1000 and 0304.95.1000, Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Surimi was 4.2% of Korea’s US$4,415.6 million seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    Value rose 3.4% and weight fell 2.8%, lifting the average price 6.3% to US$1.91 per kg.

    Why is pollock surimi a different market from other surimi?

    Pollock surimi cost 1.8 times as much per kg as other surimi in Jan–Sep 2026, and only two countries, the US and Russia, supplied it.

    Pollock surimi (0304.94.1000)Other surimi (0304.99.1000)
    Value, Jan–Sep 2026US$66.20 million (+6.7%)US$117.43 million (+1.4%)
    Tonnes22,896 (−3.2%)73,346 (−2.8%)
    Average price (Jan–Sep 2025)US$2.89/kg (US$2.62)US$1.60/kg (US$1.54)
    Origins and value shareUS 57.7%, Russia 42.3%Vietnam 45.4%, China 40.9%, India 10.2%, Pakistan 1.4%, Thailand 0.9%, Indonesia 0.6%

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

    Other surimi prices ranged from US$1.29 per kg (China) to US$2.67 (Thailand) in Jan–Sep 2026. Korea’s customs statistics do not split 0304.99.1000 by species or grade, so a price gap can reflect either.

    Bar chart, Pollock surimi costs Korea far more per kg than other-fish surimi: Korea's surimi import price by origin, Jan–Sep 2026, US$/kg. Pollock: US 3.21, Russia 2.54. Other fish: Thailand 2.67, Indonesia 2.31, India 2.19, Pakistan 2.01, Vietnam 1.85, China 1.29

    China gained most between Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026: its surimi tonnes rose 15.6% while Vietnam’s fell 17.9%. Indonesia fell from US$2.90 million to US$0.75 million.

    Is Russian pollock surimi overtaking US surimi in Korea?

    Not in 2026. US suppliers shipped 11,888 tonnes of pollock surimi to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026 and Russia 11,007, after Russia led in Jan–Sep 2025 (12,364 against 11,291).

    Bar chart, US pollock surimi took back the lead in 2026: Korea's pollock surimi imports in tonnes, Jan–Sep 2024, 2025 and 2026. US 12,356, 11,291, 11,888; Russia 7,811, 12,364, 11,007

    By weight, the US held 60.3% of Korea’s pollock surimi imports in full-year 2024 (17,605 of 29,181 tonnes); in 2025 the two were level at 50.1% and 49.9%.

    The price gap widened in 2026. US surimi averaged US$3.21 per kg in Jan–Sep 2026, up from US$2.77, while Russian surimi moved from US$2.49 to US$2.54. Russian product also pays a 10% duty that US product does not. The Korea pollock imports guide covers whole pollock, fillets and roe.

    What duty does Korea charge on surimi from each origin?

    Korea’s basic duty on frozen surimi is 10%, and as of October 2026 US, Vietnamese and ASEAN surimi pays 0% under free trade agreements (FTAs). The 2026 schedule has no agreement rate for Russia or Pakistan, so both pay the basic 10%.

    OriginPollock surimi 0304.94.1000Other surimi 0304.99.1000Agreement
    Basic rate10%10%
    United States0%0%Korea–US FTA
    Vietnam0%0%Korea–Vietnam FTA
    Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar0%0%Korea–ASEAN FTA
    Indonesia0%0%Korea–ASEAN FTA, Korea–Indonesia CEPA
    China0%4%Korea–China FTA
    India0%5%Korea–India CEPA
    Russia, Pakistan10%10%No agreement rate

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff rates by item 2026, rates for January 1–December 31, 2026, checked October 15, 2026.

    The 2026 schedule has no adjustment-tariff or quota line for either surimi code. The Korean importer claims the FTA rate before clearance, so send origin documents with the shipping papers. Confirm the rate for your shipment on UNIPASS or with a Korean customs broker, especially for India. See the guide to Korea’s seafood import duties.

    Does Korea import finished fish cake too?

    Yes, but far less than surimi: Korea imported US$14.15 million of fish cake and crab sticks (HSK 1604.20.40) in Jan–Sep 2026, down 10.3% from Jan–Sep 2025. Korea’s surimi imports were 13.0 times larger by value in the same period.

    Thailand led Korea’s fish cake imports with 39.9% of value in Jan–Sep 2026, ahead of China (19.4%) and Japan (12.2%). The basic duty on fish cake is 20%; Thai product pays 5% and Vietnamese 0% (2026 schedule, checked October 15, 2026).

    Is there room for a new surimi origin in Korea?

    India’s surimi sales to Korea grew 31.4% in value to US$12.02 million in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$2.19 per kg, above Vietnam (US$1.85) and China (US$1.29). Pakistan, Thailand and Indonesia together held under 2% of Korea’s surimi imports by value.

    • Count the duty in the landed price. Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian surimi enters duty-free, while Chinese pays 4%, Indian 5% and Pakistani 10% (2026 schedule).
    • Plan around January. Over October 2023–September 2026, January volume of other surimi averaged 177% of an average month, June 65%. The Korea seafood demand calendar shows other peaks.

    Country guides: exporting Vietnamese seafood to Korea, exporting from Thailand and Indonesia, exporting Chinese seafood to Korea and US and Canadian seafood in Korea.

    Check your surimi’s competition in Korea

    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. Its “By Country” table for HS 0304991000 (“Frozen fish surimi”) ranks the origins of other surimi by value, with price per kg and volume for the latest twelve months.

    SEACHING By Country table for Frozen fish surimi (HS 0304991000): Korea's imports from 9 origins, led by Vietnam, China and India, with value, unit price, volume and trend for October 2025 to September 2026

    SEACHING’s price forecast models import unit prices by origin and product using Korea Customs Service prices, exchange-rate indices and sea-surface temperature data. See the forecast for pollock surimi (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Why is Chinese surimi so much cheaper per kg than US surimi in Korea’s customs data?

    In Jan–Sep 2026, Chinese surimi (US$1.29 per kg) was other surimi and US surimi (US$3.21) was pollock surimi, a separate code; customs data does not record the species or grade of Chinese product (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Sources and method

  • Korea Pollock Imports: Russian Frozen Pollock and Alaska Roe

    Korea Pollock Imports: Russian Frozen Pollock and Alaska Roe

    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 and fishing rules from Korea’s National Law Information Center, checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea’s pollock imports reached US$266.7 million in Jan–Sep 2026, up 2.5% on a year earlier, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Alaska pollock is the species, and Russia supplies most of it: 93.9% of Korea’s frozen whole pollock and 92.0% of its pollock roe. The US led pollock surimi with 57.7%.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported US$266.7 million and 124,790 tonnes of Alaska pollock products in Jan–Sep 2026: value up 2.5% and volume down 14.2% on Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Russia supplied 80.0% of Korea’s pollock imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026 and the US 18.4%, up from 15.9% a year earlier (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s frozen whole pollock imports fell 22.5% by volume to 73,204 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, while the average customs value rose from US$1.08/kg to US$1.28/kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • US pollock surimi took 57.7% of Korea’s pollock surimi imports in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 50.4% in Jan–Sep 2025, at US$3.21/kg against US$2.54/kg for Russian surimi (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • In 2026, frozen whole pollock pays a 22% adjustment tariff in Korea from Russia and 0% from the US and Canada; pollock surimi, fillets and roe pay 10% from Russia (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    Pollock in Korea at a glance

    ItemJan–Sep 2026
    SizeUS$266.7 million, 124,790 tonnes; 6.0% of Korea’s seafood imports by value
    Top originsRussia 80.0%, US 18.4%, Japan 1.4% (all pollock codes)
    Price band (customs value)US$1.28/kg frozen whole, US$2.89/kg surimi, US$3.16/kg fillets, US$4.36/kg roe
    Main HS codes0303.67.0000 frozen pollock; 0304.94.1000 frozen pollock surimi; 0303.91.2010 frozen pollock roe; 0304.75.0000 frozen pollock fillets
    Tariff (2026)Frozen whole: 10% base, 22% adjustment tariff, 0% US and Canada. Surimi, roe, fillets: 10% base, 0% US and Canada, 5% Japan for surimi and roe

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

    Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded. On that basis, pollock was Korea’s sixth-largest imported species group in Jan–Sep 2026, as the ranking of what seafood Korea imports most shows.

    How much pollock does Korea import, and in what form?

    Korea buys pollock in four main forms, and each has its own HS code, origin mix and price. Frozen whole pollock is the largest by value at 35.2% of the total, followed by surimi at 24.8%, roe at 21.5% and fillets at 17.6%. Fresh pollock is less than 1%.

    HSK codeFormUS$ millionTonnesUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025Top origin
    0303.67.0000Frozen whole pollock93.973,2041.28−7.6%Russia 93.9%
    0304.94.1000Frozen pollock surimi66.222,8962.89+6.7%US 57.7%
    0303.91.2010Frozen pollock roe (myeongnan)57.213,1314.36−3.3%Russia 92.0%
    0304.75.0000Frozen pollock fillets46.914,8383.16+35.1%Russia 95.0%
    0302.55.0000Fresh or chilled pollock2.36433.56+9.2%Japan 99.9%

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

    The price gap between forms is wide. Frozen roe cleared customs at 3.4 times the price per kg of frozen whole fish. A seller who offers several forms is in four different markets, not one. The guide to how Korean buyers specify species, state and form explains how buyers describe each product when they ask for an offer.

    The longer view shows how the mix has shifted. Frozen whole pollock has shrunk each year. Surimi grew in 2025 and again in Jan–Sep 2026, and fillets jumped in 2026 after a weaker 2025.

    Form20242025Jan–Sep 2026
    Frozen whole, US$ million (tonnes)139.0 (138,932)131.6 (119,479)93.9 (73,204)
    Surimi, US$ million (tonnes)69.1 (29,181)88.1 (33,165)66.2 (22,896)
    Roe, US$ million (tonnes)87.2 (17,191)74.4 (16,423)57.2 (13,131)
    Fillets, US$ million (tonnes)50.5 (21,391)44.9 (17,264)46.9 (14,838)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports. 2024 sums origins with at least US$100,000 of imports in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Why does Russia supply almost all of Korea’s frozen whole pollock?

    Russia shipped 69,859 tonnes of frozen whole pollock to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026, worth US$88.1 million and 93.9% of the value. The US supplied 4.4% and Japan 1.5%. Russian fish is also much cheaper than US fish: it averaged US$1.26/kg at customs, against US$2.00/kg for US pollock. Japan’s small volume averaged US$1.22/kg.

    Korea cannot supply this fish itself: as of October 2026, Korean law bans catching pollock in Korean waters all year (see the FAQ). Frozen pollock, sold in Korea as dongtae, comes from imports.

    Russia’s lead holds even though it has no free trade agreement with Korea. Russian pollock stays cheaper after duty: US$1.26/kg plus the 22% duty described below comes to about US$1.54/kg, against US$2.00/kg for duty-free US pollock, before freight inside Korea and other costs. Three changes in 2026 matter for sellers:

    • Less volume. Korea’s frozen whole pollock imports fell 22.5% by volume in Jan–Sep 2026. Russian volume fell 24.0%.
    • A weak third quarter. In Jul–Sep 2026, Korea imported 14,832 tonnes, down 58.5% from 35,757 tonnes in Jul–Sep 2025. June and July 2026 were the lowest months: 1,088 and 770 tonnes, against 2,743 and 7,936 tonnes a year earlier.
    • More from Japan. Japan shipped 1,184 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 47 tonnes a year earlier.

    Two other facts sit alongside the third-quarter drop. Korea’s government released 15,700 tonnes of stockpiled pollock between August 24 and September 27, 2026, ahead of the Chuseok holiday. And in the three years to September 2026, Korea’s frozen pollock arrivals were seasonal: the March volume index averaged 176 and the June index 17, where 100 is an average month. The data do not show which of these caused the 2026 drop. The seasonal demand calendar for Korea’s seafood imports covers the timing of holiday orders.

    Other Russian lines are covered in the report on Russian king crab and snow crab and the guide to Korea’s cod imports. The Q3 2026 report on Korea’s seafood imports puts the pollock drop next to other species.

    What is Korea’s 22% adjustment tariff on frozen pollock?

    Adjustment tariff (jojeong gwanse). A tariff Korea sets above the base rate to protect domestic industry, under Article 69 of the Customs Act. A presidential decree sets the products, rates and dates each year. For import declarations from January 1 to December 31, 2026, frozen pollock pays 22%.

    The adjustment tariff replaces the 10% base rate. An FTA rate applies only when it is lower than the Customs Act rate. So the rate depends on origin and form:

    Form (HSK)RussiaUS and CanadaJapanBase rate
    Frozen whole (0303.67.0000)22%0%22% (no RCEP rate listed)10%, adjustment 22%
    Fillets (0304.75.0000)10%0%10% (no RCEP rate listed)10%
    Surimi (0304.94.1000)10%0%5% (RCEP)10%
    Roe (0303.91.2010)10%0%5% (RCEP)10%
    Fresh or chilled (0302.55.0000)20%0%20% (no RCEP rate listed)20%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff schedule by HSK code, 2026 rates (January 1 to December 31, 2026), checked October 15, 2026. Russia has no FTA rate line, so it pays the base, WTO or adjustment rate.

    For US sellers, 2026 brought one change. Until 2025, US frozen pollock entered duty-free only within a quota of 12,263 tonnes. From 2026, it enters at 0% with no quota under the Korea–US FTA (KORUS). US volume did not jump in response: US frozen whole pollock fell 11.8% to 2,081 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026. Most US pollock reaches Korea as surimi, not as whole fish.

    The importer must claim an FTA rate before customs accepts the declaration and must hold proof of origin. These rates are from the 2026 schedule as of October 2026. Adjustment tariffs are reset each year, so check the 2027 list when it is published. Confirm the rate for your code with a licensed Korean customs broker or on Korea Customs Service UNIPASS. The guide to Korea’s seafood import duty explains each rate type.

    Who supplies Korea’s pollock surimi, fillets and roe?

    Each processed form has a different leader. The US leads surimi, while Russia leads fillets and roe.

    FormOriginShare 2026 (2025)US$/kg 2026 (2025)Tonnes 2026
    SurimiUnited States57.7% (50.4%)3.21 (2.77)11,888
    SurimiRussia42.3% (49.6%)2.54 (2.49)11,007
    FilletsRussia95.0% (93.6%)3.14 (2.55)14,187
    FilletsUnited States4.5% (5.0%)3.68 (3.08)576
    RoeRussia92.0% (92.9%)4.43 (4.67)11,886
    RoeUnited States8.0% (7.1%)3.69 (4.09)1,245

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026 (Jan–Sep 2025 in brackets), share of value.

    Stacked bar chart titled Russia leads every pollock form in Korea except surimi: Korea's pollock imports by form and origin, share of value, Jan–Sep 2026. Russia 93.9% of frozen whole pollock (US$93.9M), 92.0% of roe (US$57.2M) and 95.0% of fillets (US$46.9M); the US 57.7% of surimi (US$66.2M) and Russia 42.3%

    Surimi is a two-country market. US surimi held 65.5% of Korea’s pollock surimi imports in 2024 and 53.5% in 2025, then rose to 57.7% in Jan–Sep 2026. US surimi cleared customs at US$0.67/kg above Russian surimi in Jan–Sep 2026. Russian surimi pays 10% duty and US surimi 0%, which narrows that gap after duty. Korea’s fish cake industry also buys surimi made from other fish, led by Vietnam and China. The guide to Korea’s surimi imports covers that wider market.

    Fillets grew fastest. Korea’s frozen pollock fillet imports rose 35.1% by value and 9.8% by volume in Jan–Sep 2026. Russia supplied 95.0%, and its average price rose from US$2.55/kg to US$3.14/kg.

    Roe is Russian, and the US is cheaper. Russia supplied 92.0% of Korea’s frozen pollock roe in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$4.43/kg. US roe averaged US$3.69/kg and grew 22.0% in volume, to 1,245 tonnes. Customs data do not record roe grade or size, so the averages show the direction of the market, not the price for a given grade. Korea’s roe volume fell from 17,191 tonnes in 2024 to 16,423 tonnes in 2025, then rose to 13,131 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026 from 12,803 tonnes a year earlier.

    The title of this article mentions Alaska roe because “Alaska pollock” is the species name for both Russian and US fish; Korea’s customs data separate them only by declared origin. Most of that roe comes from Russia, not Alaska. The guide for US and Canadian exporters looks at where US pollock products actually sell in Korea.

    How have pollock import prices moved in 2026?

    Prices rose for every form except roe. In Jan–Sep 2026, the average customs value was up 19.2% for frozen whole pollock, 10.2% for surimi and 23.1% for fillets, and down 5.7% for roe, compared with Jan–Sep 2025.

    Line chart titled Whole frozen pollock is by far Korea's cheapest pollock form: Korea's monthly pollock import price by form, customs value per kg, all origins, October 2024 to September 2026. Frozen whole pollock stayed lowest, peaking at US$2.08/kg in June 2026 and ending at US$1.49; in September 2026 surimi was US$3.19, fillets US$3.59 and roe US$4.36

    Frozen whole pollock shows the sharpest move. Its monthly customs value stayed between US$1.01 and US$1.24/kg in most months from October 2024 to April 2026; the exception was June 2025 at US$1.55/kg. It rose to US$1.36/kg in May 2026, jumped to US$2.08/kg in June 2026, a month of very low volume, and eased to US$1.49/kg in September 2026. Korean media reported the same trend: Herald Business reported a June 2026 price for imported frozen pollock of ₩3,674 per kg, up 51.6% on a year earlier.

    Fillets and surimi rose more steadily. Fillets reached US$3.59/kg in September 2026, the highest month in the two-year series, and surimi peaked at US$3.39/kg in August 2026. Customs values are CIF values, not wholesale prices. Compare them with your CIF offer, as the guide to benchmarking against Korean customs import prices explains.

    What else applies to pollock shipments to Korea?

    Three rules reach pollock sellers in 2026. Most of the paperwork sits with the Korean importer.

    • Imported seafood distribution history. From June 29, 2026, Korea added frozen pollock to the products covered by imported seafood distribution history reporting. The Korean importer and each distributor report every transfer within 5 days. The exporter files nothing.
    • Restaurant origin labeling. Pollock is one of 20 seafood species that Korean restaurants must label by country of origin.
    • Plant registration and certificates. Russia is one of 11 countries that register processing plants with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) through their own government, not online. Seafood from these countries also needs the exporting government’s health certificate.

    Rules are as of October 2026. Confirm the final requirements with your Korean importer, a licensed customs broker or the agency concerned before you ship. The step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea covers each stage.

    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 pollock code and choose Russia to see the page below.

    SEACHING page titled Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), Russia (HS 0303670000/RU), with summary cards and a Unit Price Trend and Forecast chart: Korea's monthly import unit price from Russia, March to September 2026, and a dashed AI forecast line to February 2027

    The chart shows the monthly unit price of Korea’s frozen pollock imports from Russia, and the dashed line is the model forecast for the next five months. The prices are for Russia only and the summary cards cover a different period, so they differ from the all-origin figures above. Each form has its own code page:

    Related guides:

    SEACHING’s price forecast models import unit prices by origin and product using Korea Customs Service prices, exchange-rate indices and sea-surface temperature data. See the forecast for frozen pollock (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Why does Korea not catch its own pollock?

    Korea bans catching pollock in its own waters all year, from January 1 to December 31, under Annex 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Resources Management Act, as of October 2026. Korean media reported that the ban was introduced in 2019. Korea’s frozen pollock therefore comes from imports, 93.9% of it from Russia by value in Jan–Sep 2026.

    What HS code does Korea use for pollock roe?

    Korea classifies frozen pollock roe (myeongnan) under HSK 0303.91.2010. Korea imported US$57.2 million and 13,131 tonnes under this code in Jan–Sep 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). Salted pollock roe has a separate code, 0305.20.4010, with almost no imports in Jan–Sep 2026.

    Do US pollock products still face a quota in Korea in 2026?

    No. The KORUS quota for US frozen pollock, 12,263 tonnes in 2025, ended, and US frozen pollock enters Korea at 0% with no quota limit from 2026. US surimi, fillets and roe also pay 0% in the 2026 tariff schedule.

    Sources and method

  • Korea Squid Imports: How Imports Replaced a Shrinking Catch

    Korea Squid Imports: How Imports Replaced a Shrinking Catch

    Data as of October 15, 2026: Korea Customs Service import data through September 2026, via SEACHING. Tariffs and import rules checked October 15, 2026. Updated quarterly.

    Korea’s squid imports reached US$449.7 million in Jan–Sep 2026, or 131,330 tonnes, according to SEACHING’s analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Volume rose 1.8% from a year earlier, but value fell 21.8% as prices dropped. China supplied 35.0% of the value, Peru 25.7% and Vietnam 14.2%.

    Korea’s squid imports at a glanceJan–Sep 2026
    SizeUS$449.7 million, 131,330 tonnes, 10.2% of Korea’s seafood imports
    Top origins (share of value)China 35.0% · Peru 25.7% · Vietnam 14.2% · Chile 7.3% · Ecuador 3.4%
    Customs price per kgAll squid US$3.42 · frozen “other” squid US$2.49 · other prepared squid US$4.26 · seasoned squid US$5.69 · frozen cuttlefish US$7.81
    Main HS codes0307.43.2090 · 1605.54.2099 · 1605.54.2091 · 0307.43.1090 · 0307.43.2010
    Duty, 2026 (frozen “other” squid)Adjustment tariff 22% without an FTA rate · Peru, Chile, US, Vietnam 0% · ASEAN 5% · China 8%
    Korea’s own catchCoastal squid 31,006 t in 2025, after a record low of 13,568 t in 2024
    SourceSEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data; Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule

    Prices are customs values (CIF) per kg, not wholesale prices.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported US$449.7 million of squid and cuttlefish in Jan–Sep 2026, down 21.8% from Jan–Sep 2025, while volume rose 1.8% to 131,330 tonnes (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Peru’s frozen squid cleared Korean customs at US$2.15 per kg in Jan–Sep 2026, down from US$3.34 a year earlier, while its volume rose 74.2% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Squid caught by Korean vessels on the high seas counts as Korean goods under Article 2 of Korea’s Customs Act, so 52,122 tonnes of Korean distant-water squid in 2025 do not appear in import statistics (as of October 2026).
    • Under Korea’s 2026 tariff schedule, frozen “other” squid (HSK 0307.43.2090) pays a 22% adjustment tariff unless an FTA rate applies: 0% for Peru and Chile, 8% for China (checked October 15, 2026).

    How much squid does Korea import, and from where?

    China and Peru supply three-fifths of Korea’s squid imports, and four origins supply 82.2%. In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea imported US$157.3 million of squid from China and US$115.6 million from Peru. SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, compiles these figures from Korea Customs Service (KCS) data.

    In this guide, squid means squid and cuttlefish under HS 0307.42 (live, fresh or chilled), 0307.43 (frozen), 0307.49 (dried, salted or smoked) and 1605.54 (prepared or preserved). Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    OriginValue, Jan–Sep 2026Share of valueVolumeUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025Volume vs Jan–Sep 2025
    ChinaUS$157.3M35.0%44,825 t3.51−15.8%−1.6%
    PeruUS$115.6M25.7%40,255 t2.87−19.6%+46.3%
    VietnamUS$63.9M14.2%6,061 t10.54+11.6%+3.7%
    ChileUS$33.0M7.3%17,232 t1.91−48.2%+6.2%
    EcuadorUS$15.5M3.4%10,042 t1.54−0.4%+35.9%
    ArgentinaUS$13.9M3.1%3,062 t4.54−27.2%−32.4%
    SpainUS$10.3M2.3%2,393 t4.32+28.8%+29.9%
    TaiwanUS$8.6M1.9%1,508 t5.72−66.2%−72.6%
    IndonesiaUS$6.2M1.4%906 t6.88−10.8%−25.2%
    ThailandUS$6.1M1.4%651 t9.34−12.2%−13.8%
    All originsUS$449.7M100%131,330 t3.42−21.8%+1.8%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025, imports, squid HS codes listed above.

    Squid was Korea’s largest seafood import group in Jan–Sep 2025 and fell to second place, behind shrimp, in Jan–Sep 2026 (see the ranking of Korea’s top seafood imports). In July–September 2026 alone it fell 31.5%, as the Q3 2026 import report shows.

    How have the origins changed over three years?

    Peru’s share swung the most. It held 15.2% of Korea’s squid import value in 2024, 26.4% in 2025 and 25.7% in Jan–Sep 2026. China’s share went the other way, from 46.2% in 2024 to 35.0%.

    Share of Korea’s squid import value20242025Jan–Sep 2025Jan–Sep 2026
    China46.2%32.4%32.5%35.0%
    Peru15.2%26.4%25.0%25.7%
    Vietnam12.9%10.8%10.0%14.2%
    Chile6.3%9.1%11.1%7.3%
    Ecuador0.0%3.6%2.7%3.4%
    Argentina4.7%3.5%3.3%3.1%
    Taiwan4.3%3.7%4.4%1.9%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. The 2024 column covers origins with at least US$100,000 of squid sales to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Peru’s frozen squid shipments to Korea dropped to 24 tonnes in January 2025 before recovering later that year. USDA, using Korean data, reported that Korea’s imports of Peruvian molluscs, mainly jumbo squid, fell from 39,005 tonnes in 2023 to 14,906 tonnes in 2024. Customs data does not show why.

    Why does Korea import so much more squid than it catches?

    Korea’s own squid catch is small next to its imports. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) reported a coastal squid catch of 13,568 tonnes in 2024, a record low, and 31,006 tonnes in 2025. The 2025 catch was still 18.9% below the five-year average of 38,278 tonnes.

    MOF linked the 2025 recovery to lower water temperatures, which formed fishing grounds in the East Sea in spring and the West Sea in summer. The release gives no cause for the long-term decline.

    Imports did not fall back when the catch recovered. Korea imported 172,451 tonnes of squid by customs weight in 2025, 16.8% more than in 2024. That was 5.6 times the 2025 coastal catch and 3.3 times the 52,122 tonnes caught by Korea’s distant-water fleet. The units differ, so treat the ratios as rough: imports are customs net weight and include dried and prepared products, while catch figures are live weight.

    Grouped bar chart of Korea's squid supply in 2024 and 2025: imports by customs weight 147,661 tonnes and 172,451 tonnes, distant-water catch 63,156 and 52,122 tonnes, coastal catch 13,568 and 31,006 tonnes, with the coastal five-year average of 38,278 tonnes as a reference line; imports and catch are measured differently

    Does squid caught by Korean distant-water vessels count as an import?

    No. Under Article 2 of Korea’s Customs Act, fish and other marine products caught on the high seas by Korean vessels are Korean goods, not foreign goods. The same article treats marine products caught on the high seas by foreign vessels as foreign goods, so bringing them into Korea is an import (Customs Act, in force October 2, 2026).

    Korea’s distant-water fleet caught 52,122 tonnes of squid in 2025, down 17.4% from 63,156 tonnes in 2024. MOF linked the drop to weaker squid grounds around the Falkland Islands. As Korean goods, none of it appears in the import tables above or pays import duty.

    Which squid does each origin sell to Korea?

    Each origin sells a different product. Frozen squid under HS 0307.43.2 made up 55.1% of Korea’s squid import value in Jan–Sep 2026, prepared squid under 1605.54 made up 30.9% and frozen cuttlefish 9.0%.

    HSK codeProductValue, Jan–Sep 2026Share of squidVolumeUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025Main origin (share of value)
    0307.43.2090Other squid, frozenUS$235.3M52.3%94,336 t2.49−26.2%China 35.1%
    1605.54.2099Other squid, prepared or preservedUS$77.6M17.3%18,207 t4.26−33.5%Peru 72.7%
    1605.54.2091Seasoned squidUS$61.0M13.6%10,730 t5.69−5.1%China 80.1%
    0307.43.1090Other cuttlefish, frozenUS$40.1M8.9%5,129 t7.81+17.6%Vietnam 70.9%
    0307.43.2010Squid of four named genera, frozenUS$12.4M2.8%1,842 t6.73−41.9%Vietnam 42.7%
    0307.49.3010Cuttlefish and squid of named species, driedUS$12.1M2.7%337 t35.85−5.4%Vietnam 98.3%
    0307.49.3090Other squid and cuttlefish, driedUS$10.8M2.4%678 t15.89+59.1%China 96.2%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025, imports, all origins. Product names follow the Korean tariff schedule (HSK).

    The 10-digit line decides your duty and your price comparison. Frozen “other” squid (0307.43.2090) was Korea’s second-largest single seafood import code in Jan–Sep 2026, at 5.3% of all seafood imports. In 2025 it was the largest, at US$413.3 million.

    • Peru sells frozen and prepared squid in about equal parts. Frozen “other” squid made up 50% of Peru’s squid sales to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026 and prepared squid 49%. Peru supplied 72.7% of Korea’s imports of other prepared squid (1605.54.2099). The line 0307.43.2010 names four genera (Ommastrephes, Loligo, Nototodarus and Sepioteuthis). Jumbo flying squid (Dosidicus gigas) is not among them, and Korea’s frozen squid imports from Peru were declared under “other” (0307.43.2090). More in the guide to exporting seafood from Chile, Peru and Ecuador.
    • China sells frozen squid and seasoned squid. Frozen “other” squid made up 52% of China’s squid sales to Korea and seasoned squid 31%. China supplied 80.1% of Korea’s seasoned squid imports. See the guide to exporting Chinese seafood to Korea.
    • Vietnam sells cuttlefish and dried products. Frozen cuttlefish made up 44% of Vietnam’s squid sales to Korea, dried cuttlefish and squid 19% and seasoned squid 17%. The guide to Thai and Indonesian seafood exports to Korea compares the Southeast Asian suppliers.
    • Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Spain and Taiwan sold almost only frozen “other” squid to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026.

    What prices does Korea pay per kg for squid?

    Korea’s squid import prices fell sharply in 2026. The all-squid average was US$3.42 per kg in Jan–Sep 2026, down 23.2% from US$4.46 a year earlier.

    OriginFrozen “other” squid, 0307.43.2090Other prepared squid, 1605.54.2099Seasoned squid, 1605.54.2091Frozen cuttlefish, 0307.43.1090
    Peru2.15 (3.34)4.30 (7.67)11.45 (4.00)n/a
    China2.76 (3.44)3.34 (3.60)5.01 (6.13)n/a
    Chile1.91 (3.92)n/an/an/a
    Ecuador1.54 (2.11)n/an/an/a
    Argentina4.54 (4.22)n/an/an/a
    Spain4.32 (4.36)n/an/an/a
    Vietnam3.98 (2.92)10.10 (9.87)12.73 (12.56)7.99 (7.12)
    Thailandn/an/an/a9.24 (8.82)
    All origins2.49 (3.53)4.26 (6.56)5.69 (6.60)7.81 (7.24)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026 (Jan–Sep 2025 in brackets), imports, US$ per kg (customs value, CIF). n/a = less than US$1 million of sales in Jan–Sep 2026.

    In frozen “other” squid, Ecuador, Chile and Peru cleared at the lowest prices in Jan–Sep 2026. Argentina and Spain cleared above China.

    Dot chart of Korea's squid import prices by origin and product, US$ per kg, Jan–Sep 2026 with Jan–Sep 2025 as hollow dots: frozen squid from Ecuador 1.54 (2.11), Chile 1.91 (3.92), Peru 2.15 (3.34), China 2.76 (3.44), Spain 4.32 (4.36) and Argentina 4.54 (4.22); Peru's other prepared squid 4.30 (7.67); China's seasoned squid 5.01 (6.13); Vietnam's frozen cuttlefish 7.99 (7.12)

    Under Article 30 of Korea’s Customs Act, the customs value includes freight and insurance to the Korean port, so these are CIF values, not wholesale prices (in force October 2, 2026). The guide to benchmarking your price against Korean customs import prices shows how to compare an FOB offer.

    Frozen “other” squid peaked at US$3.75 per kg in May 2025, fell to US$2.11 in March 2026 and stood at US$2.50 in September 2026. Peru’s price for the same code fell from US$3.84 in April 2025 to US$1.85 in April 2026, and was US$2.07 in September 2026.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly import price for frozen other squid (HSK 0307.43.2090), October 2024 to September 2026: all origins peaked at US$3.75 per kg in May 2025 and fell to US$2.11 in March 2026; and stood at US$2.50 in September 2026; Peru, shown only for months above 100 tonnes, moved from US$3.84 in April 2025 to US$1.85 in April 2026

    SEACHING’s page for frozen “other” squid from Peru charts the same monthly customs price per kg, with 6-month, 1-year and 3-year views and a dashed AI forecast line, so you can check the latest months against your offer.

    SEACHING page for Other squid, frozen, from Peru (HS 0307432090 / PE), with summary cards and a Unit Price Trend & Forecast chart showing monthly prices from March to September 2026 and a dashed AI forecast line to February 2027

    What import duty does Korea charge on squid?

    Frozen “other” squid pays a 22% adjustment tariff in 2026 unless the origin has a lower FTA rate. Korea’s basic rate for that code is 20%, but the 2026 adjustment tariff on frozen squid, excluding some small species and surimi, is 22% and takes priority over the basic rate. An FTA rate applies only when it is lower.

    Origin (agreement)Frozen “other” squid, 0307.43.2090Frozen squid, named genera, 0307.43.2010Frozen cuttlefish, 0307.43.1090Other prepared squid, 1605.54.2099Seasoned squid, 1605.54.2091
    No FTA rate (e.g., Argentina, Ecuador, Taiwan)22%22%20%20%20%
    Peru, Chile, United States0%0%0%0%0%
    China (Korea–China FTA)8%22%8%20% (other China lines 8% and 0%)20% (other China lines 8% and 0%)
    Vietnam (Korea–Vietnam FTA)0%21.6%0%0%16% (another line 0%)
    ASEAN members (Korea–ASEAN FTA)5%21.6%5%5%16% (another line 5%)
    Spain and other EU (Korea–EU FTA)0% (Jan–Jun 2026 rows)22%0% (Jan–Jun 2026 rows)0% (Jan–Jun 2026 rows)0% (Jan–Jun 2026 rows)

    Source: Korea Customs Service, 2026 tariff schedule (Public Data Portal), rates for January 1–December 31, 2026; EU rows in the file cover January 1–June 30, 2026. The 22% for origins without an FTA rate, such as Ecuador, is the adjustment tariff listed in the 2026 schedule; confirm it with a customs broker. Checked October 15, 2026.

    Four points matter:

    • The adjustment tariff is set each year. The 22% rate covers declarations made in calendar 2026.
    • Ecuador has no FTA in force. Korea and Ecuador signed a trade agreement (SECA) in September 2025, but it was not in force as of October 15, 2026. The guide to the Korea–Ecuador SECA explains the schedule.
    • China, Vietnam and ASEAN have extra rate lines. For prepared and seasoned squid the file lists extra Korea–China lines, including a 0% line coded FCN6, and extra Vietnam and ASEAN lines for seasoned squid, without stating their conditions. Ask a broker before you price on them.
    • Prepared squid also pays VAT. Unprocessed squid in HS 0307 is exempt from import VAT, but prepared squid in HS 1605 pays 10% (VAT Act, as of October 2026).

    The importer claims the FTA rate and needs proof of origin. Check the rate on KCS UNIPASS for the date of import and confirm it with a licensed Korean customs broker. The Korea seafood import duty guide explains how the rate types fit together.

    What else should squid exporters know before shipping?

    Since June 29, 2026, frozen and chilled squid have been on Korea’s list of imported seafood that needs traceability reports. The list grew from 22 to 27 items. The importer and each distributor report every transfer within five days. The reports are the Korean side’s job, but they draw on the product name and origin on your documents.

    Squid is also one of 20 seafood species that Korean restaurants must label by country of origin, according to the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS).

    Before the first shipment, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) requires the foreign manufacturing facility to be registered, for two years at a time. The step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea covers registration, documents and inspection. The importer, not the exporter, files the import declaration.

    SEACHING estimates that 422 Korean companies imported frozen “other” squid in the 12 months to September 2026, and that the top 10 held 20.0% of import records, an estimate based on record counts, not value. The guide to seafood importers in Korea explains who they are.

    More on squid and Korea

    Check Korea’s imports of your squid product

    The same monthly data by origin exists for other prepared squid imports into Korea (free sign-up), seasoned squid import data (free sign-up) and frozen cuttlefish import data (free sign-up).

    Before you contact a Korean buyer, look up how much frozen or prepared squid 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 squid product on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Why is squid so expensive in Korea?

    Korea’s own coastal squid catch fell to a record low of 13,568 tonnes in 2024 and was 31,006 tonnes in 2025, below the five-year average of 38,278 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Import prices, however, fell in 2026: Korea paid an average of US$3.42 per kg at customs for squid in Jan–Sep 2026, against US$4.46 a year earlier (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). Customs values are not retail prices, and this data does not show what Korean shoppers pay.

    What is the import duty on frozen squid in Korea in 2026?

    Frozen “other” squid (HSK 0307.43.2090) carries a 22% adjustment tariff in 2026. FTA rates are lower for many origins: 0% for Peru, Chile, the United States and Vietnam, 5% for ASEAN members and 8% for China (2026 tariff schedule, checked October 15, 2026).

    Which squid does Korea buy from Peru?

    In Jan–Sep 2026, Peru sold Korea US$58.1 million of frozen “other” squid (HSK 0307.43.2090) and US$56.4 million of other prepared squid (1605.54.2099), according to SEACHING’s analysis of Korea Customs Service data.

    Sources and method

    Method: squid = HS subheadings 0307.42, 0307.43, 0307.49 and 1605.54, all 10-digit HSK lines under them. Price = customs value (US$, CIF) ÷ net weight; multi-month prices divide total value by total weight. Months with no imports from an origin count as zero. Origin figures cover origins with at least US$100,000 of sales to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026, 99.93% of the value in Jan–Sep 2026. Catch figures are MOF provisional figures in live weight; import figures are customs net weight. Company counts and record shares are SEACHING estimates. Figures for 2026 may be revised when Korea Customs Service publishes final data. Customs rules and tariffs change; confirm with a licensed Korean customs broker and the agencies named above.

  • Korea’s Hairtail and Croaker Imports: Origins, Prices and Naming

    Korea’s Hairtail and Croaker Imports: Origins, Prices and Naming

    Data as of: Korea’s imports by 10-digit HS code and origin, January to September 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Korea imports frozen hairtail (ribbonfish) mainly from Oman, which supplied 46.3% of the US$29.8 million Korea imported in Jan–Sep 2026, ahead of South Africa and Senegal, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Frozen small and large yellow croaker came only from China. West African croaker clears Korean customs as mineo, a separate code.

    The number that matters: US$41.2 million
    Korea’s frozen mineo croaker imports (HS 0303.89-9091), Jan–Sep 2026, up 18.8% on a year earlier; 84.3% came from West Africa. Korea’s frozen yellow croaker imports, almost all from China, fell 17.1% to US$42.9 million.

    The finding: in Korea’s customs data, West African croaker sits under mineo, not yellow croaker, and that code is now almost as large.

    Key takeaways

    • Oman supplied 46.3% of Korea’s frozen hairtail imports in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 27.4% a year earlier (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • China supplied 100% of Korea’s frozen small and large yellow croaker imports in Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Guinea supplied 48.3% of Korea’s frozen mineo croaker imports in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$5.71 per kg; India’s cleared at US$1.81 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Where does Korea import hairtail (ribbonfish) from?

    Oman leads, and its lead widened in 2026. Korea’s frozen hairtail imports (HS 0303.89-2000) fell 14.1% to US$29.8 million and 7,956 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026. Senegal dropped from 26.6% of the code a year earlier to 11.2%.

    OriginUS$ millionShareTonnesUS$/kg
    Oman13.8046.3%3,3944.07
    South Africa4.8716.4%1,8392.65
    Senegal3.3411.2%9923.36
    Japan1.775.9%2078.52
    China1.705.7%2776.16
    Morocco0.963.2%2773.46
    All origins29.80100%7,9563.75

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, frozen hairtail (HS 0303.89-2000), Jan–Sep 2026.

    Korea's frozen hairtail imports by origin, Jan–Sep 2026: Oman leads with US$13.80 million; unit prices run from US$2.65 per kg (South Africa) to US$8.52 (Japan), all-origins average US$3.75

    Japanese hairtail cleared at more than three times the South African value per kg. Compare your offer with your own origin’s line, not the average (how to use import price benchmarks). Fresh hairtail (HS 0302.89-2000) was only US$1.06 million in Jan–Sep 2026, 96.8% from Japan.

    Korean fisheries landed 44,480 tonnes of hairtail in 2025, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF). Korea imported 13,391 tonnes that year, about 30% of the domestic catch (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Yellow croaker or mineo: which croaker is yours?

    Korean customs splits “croaker” by species. Three frozen codes sit under jogi (yellow croaker); a separate code, 0303.89-9091, is “Croakers” in English and mineo in Korean.

    Korean HS code (HSK)Customs nameKorean nameMain origin, Jan–Sep 2026US$ millionUS$/kg
    0303.89-5010Small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis)jogiChina 100%8.514.32
    0303.89-5020Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)jogiChina 100%34.145.94
    0303.89-5090Other croakersjogiSmall volumes0.20–
    0303.89-9091CroakersmineoGuinea 48.3%41.254.34
    0301.99-9095Croakers, livemineoChina 100%20.285.82

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026; names as listed for each HSK code.

    In the data, frozen croaker from West Africa, India, Brazil and Mexico clears as mineo, not yellow croaker. The exception is small: in Jan–Sep 2025, Guinea and The Gambia shipped about 95% of the “other croakers” code, worth US$1.03 million. The importer’s customs broker declares the code, so agree on it before you quote.

    Under Korea’s Labeling Standards for Food, fish of the croaker family (Sciaenidae) must carry the name listed in Korea’s Food Code, while other fish may use a common market name. The guide to how Korean buyers describe seafood products covers the rest of the offer.

    Who supplies Korea’s frozen croaker, and at what price?

    Yellow croaker comes from China; mineo mostly from West Africa. Korea’s frozen mineo imports rose 18.8% to US$41.2 million in Jan–Sep 2026, with 84.3% from seven West African origins. Small yellow croaker fell 43.3% to US$8.51 million.

    OriginUS$ millionShareTonnesUS$/kg
    Guinea19.9148.3%3,4855.71
    Sierra Leone5.7413.9%1,1085.18
    The Gambia5.0712.3%9085.59
    Senegal3.869.4%7465.17
    India2.295.6%1,2671.81
    Brazil1.493.6%3294.53
    Mexico1.303.2%1,0931.19

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, frozen croakers (HS 0303.89-9091), Jan–Sep 2026.

    Korea's frozen jogi (yellow croaker) imports fell from US$51.7 million to US$42.9 million, Jan–Sep 2025 to Jan–Sep 2026, while mineo croaker rose from US$34.7 million to US$41.2 million, mostly from West Africa

    West African mineo cleared at US$5.17 to US$5.71 per kg; Indian and Mexican below US$2. The code does not show species or size.

    For some origins one code is almost the whole trade: in Jan–Sep 2026, frozen mineo was 90% of Korea’s seafood imports from Guinea, and frozen hairtail 88% of those from Oman. Live mineo came only from China; the China export guide covers it.

    What tariff do hairtail and croaker pay in Korea?

    Oman, South Africa and the West African origins pay Korea’s basic 10% on frozen hairtail and frozen mineo, as of October 2026, because none has a free trade agreement in force with Korea.

    Product (HSK)Basic rateChina FTAUS, Canada, ChileEU, Peru
    Frozen hairtail (0303.89-2000)10%10%0%0%
    Fresh hairtail (0302.89-2000)20%20%0%0%
    Frozen yellow croaker (0303.89-5010/5020)10%10%0%0%
    Frozen mineo (0303.89-9091)10%43% listed, 10% applies0%57% and 53% listed, 10% applies

    Source: Korea Customs Service, 2026 tariff schedule (data.go.kr), checked October 15, 2026; EU column valid to June 30, 2026 in the file.

    Where an FTA column lists 40% to 57% for frozen mineo, Korean law applies the lower basic rate. The 2026 file has no least-developed-country preference row for frozen mineo or frozen hairtail. Check your code in UNIPASS and confirm with a licensed customs broker; the guide to Korea’s seafood import duties explains each rate.

    What should your offer say, and what does the importer handle?

    Give the trade name, the scientific name if known and the Korean code you expect, for example “frozen croaker, mineo, HSK 0303.89-9091″ or “hairtail (ribbonfish, cutlassfish), HSK 0303.89-2000”. On timing, the Korea seafood demand calendar shows frozen hairtail imports rose before Chuseok in 2024 and 2025, but not in 2026.

    After customs, two Korean rules apply, as of October 2026. Frozen hairtail joined Korea’s imported seafood distribution history (traceability) list on June 29, 2026; frozen yellow croaker was already on it. Importers and distributors report each transfer within five days to the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS). Restaurants must show the origin of hairtail and both yellow croakers.

    How these figures were compiled

    The figures come from SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, built on Korea Customs Service import data by 10-digit HS code and origin. Customs value per kg is declared value divided by net weight, not a market price. With live and dried codes, the ranking of Korea’s top seafood imports puts mineo at US$61.5 million and yellow croaker at US$43.0 million, Jan–Sep 2026.

    SEACHING’s By Country table for frozen hairtail lists each origin’s value, unit price, volume and trend for October 2025 to September 2026.

    SEACHING By Country table for Korea's frozen hairtail imports (HS 0303892000), October 2025 to September 2026: top 10 of 25 origins, led by Oman

    Check your code before you quote

    Open frozen hairtail import data on SEACHING (free sign-up), frozen croaker (mineo) imports by origin (free sign-up), frozen large yellow croaker imports (free sign-up) or Oman’s seafood trade with Korea (free sign-up).

    Before you quote hairtail or croaker to a Korean buyer, check which code your fish clears under and what Korea paid per kg from your origin. 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

    Can West African countries without a sanitary arrangement export fish to Korea?

    Yes. Guinea, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Senegal shipped frozen croaker to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026, though none is on the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) list of 11 seafood sanitary-arrangement countries (October 2024 guide). The foreign plant must be registered with MFDS before the import declaration; see the MFDS facility registration guide.

    Sources and method

  • Korea’s Lobster Imports: Live vs Frozen, and Canada’s 99% Share

    Korea’s Lobster Imports: Live vs Frozen, and Canada’s 99% Share

    Data as of: Korea Customs Service data through September 2026 (SEACHING, queried October 15, 2026). Tariffs and quarantine rules checked October 15, 2026.

    Canada supplied 98.9% of Korea’s lobster imports in Jan–Sep 2026, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Korea imported US$53.8 million of lobster, down 4.3% from Jan–Sep 2025. Volume fell 17.0% to 1,913 tonnes, while the average customs price rose 15.2% to US$28.14 per kg.

    The number that matters: 98.9%
    Canada’s share of Korea’s lobster import value in Jan–Sep 2026. Korea buys less lobster by weight, at a higher price per kilo.

    Key takeaways

    • Canada supplied 98.9% of Korea’s lobster imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 95.5% in Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea imported US$32.1 million of frozen lobster (up 6.9%) and US$20.9 million of live lobster (down 12.8%) in Jan–Sep 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • August and September brought 72.4% of Korea’s Jan–Sep 2026 frozen lobster import value (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s imports of US lobster fell from US$4.76 million in 2024 to US$0.05 million in Jan–Sep 2026, although US lobster enters Korea duty-free as of October 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data; 2026 Korea tariff schedule).

    Where does Korea import lobster from?

    Canada shipped US$53.2 million of Korea’s US$53.8 million in lobster imports, Jan–Sep 2026.

    OriginJan–Sep 2025 (US$ million)ShareJan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)ShareMain product, 2026
    Canada53.7195.5%53.2398.9%Frozen and live lobster
    Australia0.561.0%0.320.6%Live rock lobster
    Ireland0.070.1%0.130.2%Frozen lobster
    United States0.781.4%0.050.1%Live lobster
    Mauritania1.051.9%00%(frozen, 2025 only)
    All origins56.2453.82

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

    Lobster was 1.22% of Korea’s seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    Live or frozen: how do Korea’s two lobster markets differ?

    Frozen lobster was 59.6% of Korea’s lobster import value in Jan–Sep 2026, and live lobster 38.9%.

    FormHSKJan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)Change vs Jan–Sep 2025Tonnes, 2026US$/kg, 2026US$/kg, 2025
    Frozen lobster (Homarus)0306.1232.09+6.9%1,03830.9224.97
    Live, fresh or chilled lobster (Homarus)0306.3220.92−12.8%75127.8526.53
    Prepared lobster1605.300.41−74.7%1173.498.88
    Rock lobster, live and frozen0306.31, 0306.110.33−43.4%562.0641.04

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

    Frozen value rose 6.9% on 13.7% less volume, so the frozen price rose 23.8%. Live volume fell 16.9% with a 5.0% price rise. The customs code does not separate cooked from raw frozen lobster, so frozen price changes may partly reflect product mix.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly lobster imports in tonnes, October 2023 to September 2026: frozen lobster peaks at 579 tonnes (September 2024), 479 (August 2025) and 476 (September 2026); live lobster stays between 57 and 251 tonnes a month

    December was the largest live month in 2024 and 2025. May and June bring cheaper lobster: in 2025 they took 26.0% of live volume at US$20.89 per kg, against a full-year US$26.25.

    When does frozen lobster arrive in Korea?

    Frozen lobster arrives in a late-summer wave. July to October took 62.9% of Korea’s frozen lobster import value in 2024 and 77.3% in 2025. In 2026, August and September alone brought 72.4% of the Jan–Sep value.

    Arrivals between waves have shrunk: 329 tonnes of frozen lobster in April–July 2024, 180 tonnes in 2025 and 104 tonnes in 2026. The frozen price averaged US$34.64 per kg in Jan–Jul 2026, then US$29.70 when the new wave landed. In 2025 the order was reversed: US$22.20 in Jan–Jul, US$26.16 in Aug–Sep.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly import price for frozen and live lobster, January 2024 to September 2026, in US dollars per kg, months under 10 tonnes not plotted; dashed lines show frozen averaging US$34.64 in Jan–Jul 2026 and US$29.70 in Aug–Sep 2026

    From LINKSUP’s trading desk
    When frozen cooked lobster stocks ran out in Korea, new customers came to us with urgent orders. We had been watching the import trend in SEACHING data and had already imported more than we first planned. Because the stock was in place, we could supply those orders right away.

    LINKSUP imports seafood into Korea from its base in Busan and built SEACHING from that work. If you want to discuss a specific product, you can reach the team through seaching.co.kr.

    Are Korea’s lobster imports falling?

    Yes. Korea’s lobster imports fell 19.8% in value from US$100.1 million in 2024 to US$80.3 million in 2025.

    PeriodFrozen (US$ million)Live (US$ million)All lobster (US$ million)Tonnes
    202456.8441.15100.123,409
    202545.2132.3580.343,298
    Jan–Sep 202530.0223.9756.242,304
    Jan–Sep 202632.0920.9253.821,913

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, queried October 15, 2026. Jan–Sep 2024 sums origins with at least US$100,000 of imports in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Jan–Sep figures miss part of the July–October frozen season; October 2026 data will show whether this year’s wave matched 2025.

    What happened to US lobster in Korea?

    US lobster has nearly vanished from Korea’s imports. Korea imported US$4.76 million of US lobster in 2024 (4.76% of its lobster imports), US$0.78 million in 2025 and US$0.05 million in Jan–Sep 2026.

    The tariff is the same: as of October 2026, US and Canadian lobster both enter Korea at 0% under free trade agreements (FTAs).

    HSKProductBasic rateCanadaUnited StatesAustraliaChina
    0306.32.0000Live, fresh or chilled lobster20%0%0%0%4%
    0306.12.9000Frozen lobster20%0%0%0%8%
    0306.31.0000Rock lobster, live, fresh or chilled20%0%0%0%4%
    1605.30.9000Prepared lobster20%0%0%0%8%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff rates by item 2026, rates for January 1–December 31, 2026, checked October 15, 2026.

    The Korean importer claims the FTA rate before clearance and must hold the origin documents, so send them with the shipping papers. Confirm the final rate on UNIPASS or with a Korean customs broker.

    What does this mean for lobster exporters?

    • Plan frozen shipments around the wave. Most frozen lobster reaches Korea from July to October.
    • Quote live lobster for December, the largest live month in 2024 and 2025. The Korea seafood demand calendar shows other holiday peaks.
    • Allow for lead time. Order to shipment for frozen seafood typically takes about three months, varying by product (LINKSUP estimate). See the guide to lead times and container loads.
    • Ask about quarantine before shipping live lobster. As of October 2026, live crustaceans for food are designated quarantine items of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS). Its frozen list names uncooked rock and slipper lobster (dak-saeu, buchae-saeu) but not Homarus lobster, so confirm frozen raw lobster with NFQS.

    Related: what the US and Canada sell to Korea, the king crab and snow crab report, the Q3 2026 seafood imports report and the step-by-step export guide.

    Track Korea’s lobster imports month by month

    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.

    Its “By Country” table for frozen lobster lists each origin’s value, price per kg and volume for October 2025–September 2026.

    SEACHING By Country table for Korea's frozen lobster imports (HS 0306129000), October 2025 to September 2026: value, unit price, volume and trend for five origins led by Canada

    SEACHING’s price forecast models import unit prices by origin and product using Korea Customs Service prices, exchange-rate indices and sea-surface temperature data. See the live lobster price forecast by origin (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Is Canadian and US lobster duty-free in Korea?

    Yes. As of October 2026, live (HSK 0306.32) and frozen lobster (HSK 0306.12.9000) from Canada and the United States pay 0% under their FTAs with Korea, against a 20% basic rate (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    Does Korea import much cooked or canned lobster?

    No. Prepared lobster (HSK 1605.30) was US$0.41 million in Jan–Sep 2026, under 1% of Korea’s lobster imports (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Sources and method

  • Korea Shrimp Imports: Vietnam, China, Peru and Thailand Compared

    Korea Shrimp Imports: Vietnam, China, Peru and Thailand Compared

    Data as of October 15, 2026: Korea Customs Service import data through September 2026, via SEACHING. Tariffs and import rules checked October 15, 2026. Updated quarterly.

    Korea’s shrimp imports reached US$587.1 million in Jan–Sep 2026, up 2.2% from a year earlier, according to SEACHING’s analysis of Korea Customs Service data. That made shrimp Korea’s largest seafood import group in the period. Vietnam supplied 43.1% of the value, China 24.8%, Peru 9.3% and Thailand 7.4%. More than half was frozen peeled shrimp.

    Korea’s shrimp imports at a glanceJan–Sep 2026
    SizeUS$587.1 million, 82,169 tonnes, 13.3% of Korea’s seafood imports
    Top origins (share of value)Vietnam 43.1% · China 24.8% · Peru 9.3% · Thailand 7.4% · Malaysia 4.1%
    Customs price per kgFrozen peeled US$8.08 · frozen whole whiteleg US$6.39 · breaded US$6.19 · other prepared US$11.51
    Main HS codes0306.17.1090 · 1605.21.1000 · 0306.17.9091 · 1605.21.9000 · 0306.17.9099
    Duty, 2026Basic 20% · Peru, Chile, Colombia, US, Canada 0% · Vietnam 0% within a 15,000-tonne quota · ASEAN 0% within a 5,000-tonne yearly quota · China 8%
    Also noteFrozen or chilled shrimp that is not heat-treated or cut needs NFQS quarantine as well as MFDS inspection
    SourceSEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule

    Prices are customs values (CIF) per kg, not wholesale prices.

    Key takeaways

    • Shrimp was Korea’s largest seafood import group in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$587.1 million and 13.3% of Korea’s seafood imports, according to SEACHING’s analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • China’s share of Korea’s shrimp import value rose from 14.8% in 2024 to 24.8% in Jan–Sep 2026, while Vietnam’s fell from 49.3% to 43.1% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Frozen peeled shrimp (HSK 0306.17.1090) made up 53.5% of Korea’s shrimp imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026, and Vietnam and China supplied 83.1% of it (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • In Jan–Sep 2026, Ecuador’s frozen whole whiteleg shrimp cleared Korean customs at US$5.11 per kg, the lowest of the main origins, against US$6.59 for Peru (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Under Korea’s 2026 tariff schedule, frozen shrimp pays a 20% basic duty, 8% from China and 0% from Peru, Chile, Colombia, the US and Canada; Vietnam’s 0% FTA rate applies only within a 15,000-tonne quota (checked October 15, 2026).

    Where does South Korea import its shrimp from?

    Vietnam and China supply two-thirds of Korea’s shrimp imports. In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea imported US$253.3 million of shrimp from Vietnam and US$145.4 million from China, 67.9% of the total between them. SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, compiles these figures from Korea Customs Service (KCS) data.

    In this guide, shrimp means frozen, live, fresh, dried and salted shrimp and prawns (HS 0306.16, 0306.17, 0306.35, 0306.36 and 0306.95) and prepared shrimp (HS 1605.21 and 1605.29). Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    OriginValue, Jan–Sep 2026Share of valueVolumeUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025
    VietnamUS$253.3M43.1%40,073 t6.32−0.3%
    ChinaUS$145.4M24.8%19,670 t7.39+17.3%
    PeruUS$54.8M9.3%7,500 t7.30+26.1%
    ThailandUS$43.7M7.4%3,729 t11.71−5.8%
    MalaysiaUS$24.2M4.1%2,549 t9.51−3.8%
    ArgentinaUS$22.7M3.9%1,788 t12.71+1.1%
    IndiaUS$18.2M3.1%2,794 t6.51+13.0%
    EcuadorUS$10.3M1.8%2,018 t5.11−18.0%
    CanadaUS$5.8M1.0%336 t17.15+30.2%
    United StatesUS$2.5M0.4%808 t3.11+5.9%
    All originsUS$587.1M100%82,169 t7.15+2.2%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025, imports, shrimp HS codes listed above.

    Average prices by origin partly reflect product mix. Vietnam’s US$6.32 per kg includes breaded shrimp, which made up 25% of its value. Thailand’s US$11.71 reflects prepared shrimp, which made up 70% of its sales to Korea.

    How have the origins changed over three years?

    China has gained share every year since 2024. Its shrimp sales to Korea rose from US$103.4 million in 2024 to US$161.3 million in 2025. In Jan–Sep 2026, 88% of China’s value was frozen peeled shrimp, and its share of that code rose from 36.0% to 40.7% against Jan–Sep 2025.

    Share of Korea’s shrimp import value20242025Jan–Sep 2025Jan–Sep 2026
    Vietnam49.3%45.1%44.2%43.1%
    China14.8%20.9%21.6%24.8%
    Peru8.6%7.6%7.6%9.3%
    Thailand8.8%7.9%8.1%7.4%
    Malaysia5.1%4.7%4.4%4.1%
    Argentina3.7%3.9%3.9%3.9%
    India4.0%2.8%2.8%3.1%
    Ecuador2.8%1.9%2.2%1.8%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. The 2024 column covers origins with at least US$100,000 of shrimp sales to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Stacked bar chart titled China's share of Korea's shrimp imports keeps rising: share of import value in 2024, 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026, Vietnam 49.3%, 45.1% and 43.1%; China 14.8%, 20.9% and 24.8%; Peru, Thailand and other origins make up the rest

    Vietnam’s sales were flat in Jan–Sep 2026, down 0.3%, while China’s rose 17.3% and Peru’s 26.1%. Frozen whole whiteleg shrimp made up 72% of Peru’s value.

    Which shrimp products does Korea buy, and under which HS codes?

    Korea buys most of its shrimp frozen and peeled. In Jan–Sep 2026, frozen shrimp under HS 0306.17 made up 70.7% of the value and prepared shrimp under HS 1605.21 and 1605.29 made up 23.9%.

    HSK codeProductValue, Jan–Sep 2026Share of shrimpVolumeUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025Main origin (share of value)
    0306.17.1090Shrimp meat (peeled), frozenUS$313.9M53.5%38,864 t8.08+4.9%Vietnam 42.4%
    1605.21.1000Prepared shrimp, breaded or battered, not airtightUS$75.9M12.9%12,276 t6.19−3.6%Vietnam 82.2%
    0306.17.9091Whiteleg shrimp (L. vannamei), frozen, shell-onUS$66.8M11.4%10,452 t6.39−10.1%Peru 59.4%
    1605.21.9000Other prepared shrimp, not airtightUS$63.5M10.8%5,518 t11.51+16.6%Vietnam 69.4%
    0306.17.9099Other shrimp, frozen, shell-onUS$34.4M5.9%3,563 t9.65−5.1%Malaysia 53.7%
    0306.95.9020Dried shrimpUS$15.7M2.7%1,365 t11.46+5.8%China 98.5%
    0306.95.9030Salted or brined shrimpUS$7.3M1.2%8,828 t0.83+6.2%Vietnam 98.7%
    0306.16.1090Cold-water shrimp meat, frozenUS$4.9M0.8%182 t26.65+16.4%Canada 98.8%
    0306.16.9090Other cold-water shrimp, frozenUS$3.3M0.6%968 t3.40−21.9%United States 63.1%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025, imports, all origins. Product names follow the Korean tariff schedule (HSK).

    Bar chart titled Peeled frozen shrimp is over half of Korea's shrimp imports: top 7 HSK codes by value, Jan–Sep 2026, frozen peeled US$313.9 million, breaded US$75.9 million, frozen whole whiteleg US$66.8 million, other prepared US$63.5 million, other frozen shell-on US$34.4 million, dried US$15.7 million and salted US$7.3 million

    The six-digit HS code for frozen shrimp is 0306.17 for warm-water species and 0306.16 for cold-water species. Korea splits 0306.17 into 10-digit lines, and they matter:

    • Peeled or shell-on decides the code. Peeled frozen shrimp goes under 0306.17.1090. Shell-on whiteleg shrimp goes under 0306.17.9091, and other shell-on species under 0306.17.9099.
    • Cooking or coating moves shrimp to chapter 16. Breaded or battered shrimp goes under 1605.21.1000, and other prepared shrimp, such as cooked shrimp, under 1605.21.9000. Shrimp in airtight containers goes under 1605.29.
    • Each line has different main origins. Peru supplied 59.4% of the whiteleg line, while Malaysia and Argentina supplied 94.1% of other shell-on shrimp.
    • Salted shrimp is a separate market. Salted shrimp for saeujeot (fermented shrimp sauce) cleared at US$0.83 per kg and came almost entirely from Vietnam. The 2026 tariff file lists both a 32% adjustment tariff and a 0% Korea–Vietnam FTA rate for it; ask a customs broker which applies.

    The 10-digit code decides your duty rate and the statistics a Korean buyer compares you with. The guide to finding Korean buyers with import data shows how to look up each line, and Korea’s seafood import duty guide explains how HSK codes and rates fit together.

    How do shrimp import prices compare by origin?

    Prices differ by origin even within one code. In frozen peeled shrimp (0306.17.1090), China’s average in Jan–Sep 2026 was US$7.18 per kg and Vietnam’s US$8.45. Thailand’s was US$12.96 and Argentina’s US$15.79.

    OriginFrozen peeled, 0306.17.1090Frozen whole whiteleg, 0306.17.9091Breaded, 1605.21.1000Other prepared, 1605.21.9000
    Vietnam8.457.375.8710.88
    China7.18n/an/a4.84
    India7.236.93n/a7.41
    Peru10.176.59n/an/a
    Thailand12.968.008.5216.01
    Argentina15.79n/an/an/a
    Ecuadorn/a5.11n/an/a
    Malaysian/a7.07n/an/a
    Colombian/a5.63n/an/a
    All origins8.086.396.1911.51

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026, imports, US$ per kg (customs value, CIF). n/a = less than US$200,000 of sales or none in the period.

    A code average mixes sizes, counts, glaze levels and, in 0306.17.1090, several species. Under Article 30 of Korea’s Customs Act, the customs value includes freight and insurance to the Korean port, so these are CIF values, not wholesale prices (Customs Act, in force October 2, 2026). The guide to benchmarking your price against Korean customs import prices shows how to convert your offer before you compare.

    Dot chart titled Ecuador is the lowest-priced origin of frozen whiteleg shrimp: Korea's import price for HSK 0306.17.9091 by origin, Jan–Sep 2026 as filled dots against Jan–Sep 2025 as hollow dots; Ecuador US$5.11/kg, Colombia US$5.63, Saudi Arabia US$5.86, Peru US$6.59, India US$6.93, Malaysia US$7.07, Vietnam US$7.37, Thailand US$8.00, all-origin average US$6.39

    Whiteleg prices fell for six of the eight origins in the chart. Peru’s average dropped from US$7.22 per kg in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$6.59 in Jan–Sep 2026, and Ecuador’s from US$5.46 to US$5.11. The Compare tab of SEACHING’s page for whiteleg shrimp ranks origins by unit price, lowest first, next to their import volume. It covers October 2025 to September 2026, so its order differs slightly from the Jan–Sep figures above.

    SEACHING Compare tab for Korea's white leg shrimp imports (HS 0306179091), October 2025 to September 2026: unit price by origin, lowest first from Ecuador to Thailand, and import volume by origin, highest first, led by Peru

    What import duty does Korea charge on shrimp from each country?

    Korea’s basic duty on frozen and prepared shrimp is 20%. Most large origins pay less under a free trade agreement (FTA), but Vietnam and ASEAN members pay 0% only within a quota.

    Origin (agreement)Frozen peeled, 0306.17.1090Frozen shell-on, 0306.17.9091 and 9099Breaded, 1605.21.1000Other prepared, 1605.21.9000
    Vietnam (Korea–Vietnam FTA)0% within 15,000 t, then 20%0% within 15,000 t, then 20%0%0% within 15,000 t, then 20%
    China (Korea–China FTA)8%8%8%8%
    Peru, Chile, Colombia, US, Canada0%0%0%0%
    Thailand, Malaysia, other ASEAN (Korea–ASEAN FTA)0% within 5,000 t a year0% within 5,000 t a year0%0% within 2,000 t, then 16%
    Indonesia (Korea–Indonesia CEPA)no CEPA line; ASEAN quota or 20%no CEPA line; ASEAN quota or 20%0%ASEAN rate
    India (Korea–India CEPA)no CEPA line; 20%no CEPA line; 20%10%no CEPA line; 20%
    Ecuador, Argentina, Saudi Arabia (no FTA in force)20%20%20%20%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, 2026 tariff schedule (Public Data Portal), rates for January 1–December 31, 2026; quotas from the FTA Customs Act Enforcement Decree, Annexes 4 and 16. Checked October 15, 2026.

    Two points change the real rate:

    • Each quota is one pool for several codes. Vietnam’s 15,000 tonnes cover frozen shrimp, live and fresh shrimp, and other prepared shrimp (1605.21.9000) together. Korea imported 28,627 tonnes of Vietnamese shrimp in these codes in 2025 and 20,603 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar together shipped 6,356 tonnes in the ASEAN 5,000-tonne codes in 2025. Customs data cannot show which duty rate applied to each shipment; confirm quota rules with a customs broker.
    • The importer claims the rate. To use an FTA rate, the importer applies before the import declaration is accepted and must hold proof of origin. Quota rates need either a recommendation from the ministry in charge or first-come allocation by KCS, depending on the product.

    Ecuador and Korea signed a trade agreement (SECA) in September 2025, but it was not in force as of October 14, 2026. The guide to the Korea–Ecuador SECA and shrimp tariffs explains what would change. Import VAT is another cost for your buyer: frozen shrimp is exempt, but prepared shrimp in HS 1605 pays 10% (VAT Act, as of October 2026).

    Check the rate on KCS UNIPASS for the date of import, and confirm it with a licensed Korean customs broker.

    What does a shrimp exporter need before shipping to Korea?

    Shrimp needs two government checks in Korea: food safety inspection and quarantine. As of October 2026, the exporter’s main steps are:

    • Register your plant with MFDS. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) requires the foreign manufacturing facility to be registered before the import declaration, for two years at a time. MFDS lists 11 countries with seafood sanitary arrangements, including China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Ecuador, Peru and Argentina. In those countries the exporting government registers the plant. India and Malaysia are not on that list. See the guide to MFDS foreign facility registration.
    • Prepare for NFQS quarantine. The National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS) quarantines frozen or chilled shrimp that is not heat-treated or cut. Frozen and chilled shrimp from all origins has needed quarantine since April 1, 2018. The importer needs an original quarantine certificate from your government. Ask NFQS whether your peeled product counts as cut.
    • Check inspection orders. As of October 14, 2026, MFDS had an inspection order for doxycycline on processed products with at least 30% shrimp from four Vietnamese manufacturers, running to June 29, 2027. The guide to why seafood fails Korean import inspection covers residue testing.
    • Send the Korean label content. The importer submits it with the import declaration.

    The importer, not the exporter, files the import declaration and holds the Korean business licenses. The full sequence is in the step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea.

    Where is there room for other origins, such as Ecuador and India?

    Ecuador and India each compete on price in one product line.

    Ecuador. Ecuador sold US$10.3 million of shrimp to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026, 1.8% of the total and down 18.0%. All of it was frozen whole whiteleg shrimp. At US$5.11 per kg, it was the cheapest of the main whiteleg origins, but it pays the 20% basic duty while Peru pays 0%.

    India. India sold US$18.2 million, 3.1% of the total and up 13.0%. Peeled shrimp made up 89% of that. India’s peeled shrimp cleared at US$7.23 per kg, close to China’s US$7.18. India pays 20% on frozen shrimp, against 8% for China. The guide to exporting shrimp from India, Indonesia and Thailand covers the details.

    Thailand and Indonesia. Thailand sells mostly prepared shrimp. Korea’s imports of Indonesian shrimp fell 65.2% to US$1.4 million in Jan–Sep 2026. See the Thailand and Indonesia export guide.

    Argentina. Argentina has no FTA with Korea and still held 3.9% of Korea’s shrimp imports in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$15.79 per kg for peeled shrimp.

    Who imports shrimp in Korea?

    In frozen peeled shrimp, the largest code, no small group of buyers dominates the records. SEACHING estimates that 195 Korean companies imported frozen peeled shrimp in the 12 months to September 2026. The top 10 held 33.3% of import records, an estimate based on record counts, not value. SEACHING estimates that 134 of them bought from Vietnam, and 24 had a single import record. Company-level data is available only for this one code.

    The guide to Korea’s seafood importers explains the types of buyers, and the guide to verifying a Korean importer shows how to check one before you ship.

    More on shrimp and Korea

    Check Korea’s shrimp imports in your form

    The same monthly data by origin exists for frozen whole whiteleg shrimp imports by origin (free sign-up), breaded shrimp import data (free sign-up) and other prepared shrimp import data (free sign-up).

    Before you contact a Korean buyer, check how much shrimp Korea already imports in your exact form, peeled, shell-on or breaded, 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 frozen shrimp on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    How much shrimp does Korea import per year?

    Korea imported US$771.5 million of shrimp in 2025, or 109,035 tonnes, under the shrimp codes in this guide (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Does Korea import live or fresh shrimp?

    Very little. Korea imported US$0.66 million of live, fresh or chilled shrimp (HS 0306.35 and 0306.36) in Jan–Sep 2026, about 0.1% of its shrimp imports (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    What is the price of vannamei shrimp in Korea?

    Korean customs data gives an import price, not a market price. Frozen whole whiteleg (vannamei) shrimp cleared at an average of US$6.39 per kg in Jan–Sep 2026, CIF, across all origins (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Is breaded shrimp from Thailand duty-free in Korea?

    Yes, under the Korea–ASEAN FTA, breaded shrimp (HSK 1605.21.1000) from ASEAN members is listed at 0% for 2026, with no quota. Other prepared shrimp (1605.21.9000) is 0% only up to 2,000 tonnes, then 16% (tariff schedule and FTA decree, checked October 15, 2026).

    Sources and method

    Method: shrimp = HS subheadings 0306.16, 0306.17, 0306.35, 0306.36, 0306.95, 1605.21 and 1605.29, all 10-digit HSK lines under them. Price = customs value (US$, CIF) ÷ net weight; multi-month prices divide total value by total weight. Months with no imports from an origin count as zero. Origin figures cover origins with at least US$100,000 of sales to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026, 99.95% of the value in Jan–Sep 2026. Company counts and record shares are SEACHING estimates. Figures for 2026 may be revised when Korea Customs Service publishes final data. Customs rules and tariffs change; confirm with a licensed Korean customs broker and the agencies named above.

  • Korea Salmon Imports: Origins, HS Codes and Prices

    Korea Salmon Imports: Origins, HS Codes and Prices

    Data as of October 15, 2026: Korea Customs Service import data through September 2026, via SEACHING. Tariffs and import rules checked October 15, 2026. Updated quarterly.

    Korea’s salmon imports reached US$420.2 million in Jan–Sep 2026, up 14.8% from Jan–Sep 2025, according to SEACHING’s analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Norway supplied 79.0% of the value, almost all of it fresh. Chile supplied 17.6%, mostly frozen. Salmon from both countries enters Korea at 0% duty under free trade agreements.

    Korea’s salmon imports at a glanceJan–Sep 2026
    SizeUS$420.2 million, 37,947 tonnes, up 14.8% in value
    Top origins (share of value)Norway 79.0% · Chile 17.6% · Russia 1.2% · Canada 1.1% · United States 0.8%
    Customs price per kgFresh whole US$11.31 · fresh fillet US$17.74 · frozen Pacific US$6.34 · frozen fillet US$8.55
    Main HS codes0302.14 · 0304.41 · 0303.12 · 0304.81 · 0303.13
    Duty, 2026Basic 20% fresh, 10% frozen; 0% from Norway, Chile, the US and Canada; 8% on fresh salmon from China
    SourceSEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule

    Prices are customs values (CIF) per kg, not wholesale prices.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s salmon imports were worth US$420.2 million in Jan–Sep 2026, 9.5% of Korea’s seafood imports, according to SEACHING’s analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • Chile’s share of Korea’s salmon imports by value rose from 12.2% in 2024 to 17.6% in Jan–Sep 2026, while Norway’s fell from 82.9% to 79.0% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Fresh whole Atlantic salmon (HS 0302.14) was the third-largest 10-digit HS code in Korea’s seafood imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$207.0 million (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s imports of frozen Pacific salmon (HS 0303.12) rose 72.3% in value in Jan–Sep 2026 from a year earlier, and Chile supplied 90.9% of them (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Under Korea’s 2026 tariff schedule, salmon from Norway, Chile, the United States and Canada enters at 0% under the main salmon codes, against basic rates of 20% for fresh and 10% for frozen whole fish (checked October 15, 2026).

    Where does South Korea get its salmon from?

    Norway and Chile supply about 97% of Korea’s salmon imports by value. In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea imported US$332.0 million of salmon from Norway and US$73.8 million from Chile. SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, compiles these figures from Korea Customs Service (KCS) data.

    In this guide, salmon means eight HS subheadings: fresh, frozen and smoked Atlantic and Pacific salmon, and their fillets. Trout and canned or prepared salmon are not included. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    OriginValue, Jan–Sep 2026Share of valueVolumeUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025
    NorwayUS$332.0M79.0%25,271 t13.14+11.5%
    ChileUS$73.8M17.6%10,166 t7.26+23.8%
    RussiaUS$5.1M1.2%1,082 t4.72+183.9%
    CanadaUS$4.7M1.1%490 t9.50+67.1%
    United StatesUS$3.4M0.8%815 t4.18+79.3%
    All originsUS$420.2M100%37,947 t11.07+14.8%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025, imports, eight salmon HS subheadings.

    The price gap between Norway and Chile is mostly a gap in product form. Norway’s average of US$13.14 per kg reflects fresh fish and fillets, which made up 97.6% of its value. Chile’s US$7.26 reflects frozen salmon, which made up 91.2% of its value.

    Smaller origins are growing from a low base. Russia’s sales rose 183.9% to US$5.1 million, all of it frozen. In Jan–Sep 2026, Canada sold only fresh whole fish to Korea, at US$9.50 per kg. Korea’s salmon imports from China were US$0.05 million in Jan–Sep 2026, and there were none from Japan.

    How have the origins changed over three years?

    Norway still dominates, but Chile has gained share for two years running. Chile’s value share rose from 12.2% in 2024 to 13.9% in 2025 and 17.6% in Jan–Sep 2026. Norway’s moved from 82.9% to 83.0%, then 79.0%.

    Share of Korea’s salmon import value20242025Jan–Sep 2025Jan–Sep 2026
    Norway82.9%83.0%81.3%79.0%
    Chile12.2%13.9%16.3%17.6%
    All other origins4.9%3.0%2.4%3.4%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. The 2024 column covers origins with at least US$100,000 of salmon sales to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Stacked bar chart of Korea's salmon imports by origin, share of value: Norway 82.9% in 2024, 83.0% in 2025 and 79.0% in Jan–Sep 2026; Chile 12.2%, 13.9% and 17.6%

    Norway did not shrink. Its salmon sales to Korea rose 11.5% in Jan–Sep 2026. Chile grew faster: its volume rose 36.4%, mostly in frozen Pacific salmon.

    Norway supplied 96.5% of Korea’s fresh whole salmon imports (HS 0302.14) by value in Jan–Sep 2026. Read from that share, a Norwegian exporter of fresh salmon competes in Korea mainly with other Norwegian suppliers. This is an interpretation of customs data, not a buyer survey. For a Chilean, Russian or North American exporter, frozen salmon is where the growth is: Korea’s frozen salmon imports rose 34.8% by volume in Jan–Sep 2026.

    Why does Norway claim 89% when customs data shows 79%?

    The two figures measure different things. The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) estimates Korea’s salmon market at 45,800 tonnes in 2025, with Norway holding 89%. It is NSC’s own estimate, by volume, not a customs total.

    Customs data for 2025 gives different shares depending on the measure. Across all eight salmon codes, Norway held 83.0% of Korea’s import value and 74.4% of the volume. Across the four HS codes that can hold Atlantic salmon, Norway supplied 88.5% of the 36,872 tonnes Korea imported, close to NSC’s figure. The two fillet codes in that set also include Pacific salmon, so this is an approximation.

    The 79.0% figure is a value share for Jan–Sep 2026 across all salmon, including Chile’s frozen Pacific salmon. Neither figure is wrong. Quote the one that matches your product and period.

    What forms of salmon does Korea import, and under which HS codes?

    Korea mostly imports fresh salmon. Fresh whole fish and fresh fillets made up 79.8% of Korea’s salmon import value in Jan–Sep 2026. The NSC reports that Koreans eat salmon largely raw, that retail accounts for around 40% of sales and that a significant portion is sold through restaurants.

    HSK codeProductValue, Jan–Sep 2026VolumeUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025Main origin (share of value)
    0302.14.0000Atlantic salmon, fresh or chilled, wholeUS$207.0M18,304 t11.31+18.2%Norway 96.5%
    0304.41.0000Salmon fillets, fresh or chilledUS$128.3M7,234 t17.74+8.6%Norway 97.0%
    0303.12.0000Other Pacific salmon, frozenUS$59.5M9,384 t6.34+72.3%Chile 90.9%
    0304.81.0000Salmon fillets, frozenUS$14.2M1,654 t8.55−45.5%Chile 65.4%
    0303.13.0000Atlantic salmon, frozen, wholeUS$9.2M1,215 t7.58−4.1%Norway 56.8%
    0305.41.0000Smoked salmon, including filletsUS$1.2M59 t20.67−40.2%Chile 43.5%
    0303.11.0000Sockeye (red) salmon, frozenUS$0.7M97 t7.59+9.4%Russia 74.6%
    0302.13.0000Pacific salmon, fresh or chillednonenonen/an/an/a

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025, imports, all origins.

    Four points matter when you classify your product:

    • Whole fish and fillets have separate codes. A fresh fillet goes under 0304.41, not 0302.14. In Jan–Sep 2026 it cleared at US$17.74 per kg, against US$11.31 for fresh whole fish.
    • The frozen fillet code mixes species. HS 0304.81 covers frozen fillets of Pacific, Atlantic and Danube salmon in one line, so its US$8.55 average hides a wide spread by origin. The guide to benchmarking against Korean customs prices breaks it down.
    • Frozen Pacific salmon is the fastest-growing line. Korea imported 9,384 tonnes under 0303.12 in Jan–Sep 2026, up 82.7%.
    • Frozen fillets fell. Korea’s imports under 0304.81 fell 45.5% in value.

    The full 10-digit code decides your duty rate and the statistics your buyer compares you with. If you are unsure of the code, ask your Korean buyer’s customs broker before you ship. Korea’s seafood import duty guide explains how HSK codes and rates fit together.

    How much does imported salmon cost in Korea?

    Korea’s customs data shows what Korean importers declared per kg, on a CIF basis. Under Article 30 of Korea’s Customs Act, the customs value includes freight and insurance to the Korean port, so these are not wholesale or retail prices (Customs Act, in force October 2, 2026).

    Bar chart of Korea's salmon import prices by form, Jan–Sep 2026: fresh fillets US$17.74/kg, fresh whole Atlantic salmon US$11.31/kg, frozen fillets US$8.55/kg, frozen whole Atlantic salmon US$7.58/kg, frozen Pacific salmon US$6.34/kg

    In each of the four main codes Norway ships to Korea (0302.14, 0304.41, 0303.13 and 0304.81), Norway’s price was the highest in Jan–Sep 2026. Fresh whole Norwegian salmon cleared at US$11.37 per kg, against US$10.62 from Chile and US$9.50 from Canada. In frozen Pacific salmon, where Norway does not compete, Chile’s price was US$6.62 per kg, Russia’s US$4.76 and the US’s US$3.81. The full price table by origin and form, and how to convert your own offer to CIF before you compare, are in the guide to benchmarking your price against Korean customs import prices.

    Fresh Norwegian salmon has been steadier in 2026 than in earlier years, without a January spike. The monthly trend, the effect of the won and SEACHING’s price model are covered in the salmon import price trend and forecast for Korea.

    For frozen Pacific salmon, Chile is the reference origin. The top of SEACHING’s page for Chilean frozen Pacific salmon shows summary cards and Korea’s monthly import unit price for that product and origin, with the model forecast as a dashed line.

    SEACHING page for frozen Pacific salmon (HS 0303120000) from Chile, with summary cards and Korea's monthly import unit price, plus a dashed model forecast to February 2027

    As of October 15, 2026, SEACHING’s price model projected US$6.53 per kg for Chilean frozen Pacific salmon in January 2027.

    What import duty does Korea charge on salmon?

    Most salmon enters Korea at 0% under a free trade agreement (FTA). The basic rate is 20% for fresh salmon and fresh fillets and 10% for frozen whole salmon and frozen fillets.

    HSK codeBasic rateNorway (Korea–EFTA)ChileUnited StatesCanadaChina (Korea–China FTA)EU, UK
    0302.14 fresh whole20%0%0%0%0%8%0%*
    0304.41 fresh fillets20%0%0%0%0%8%0%*
    0303.12 frozen Pacific10%0%0%0%0%0%0%*
    0303.13 frozen Atlantic10%0%0%0%0%0%0%*
    0304.81 frozen fillets10%0%0%0%0%4%0%*
    0305.41 smoked20%0%0%0%0%4%0%*

    Source: Korea Customs Service, 2026 tariff schedule (Public Data Portal), rates for 2026, checked October 15, 2026. *The file lists EU and UK rates only through June 30, 2026; check the current rate.

    The schedule lists no FTA rate for Russia, so Russian salmon pays the basic rate, for example 10% on frozen Pacific salmon. Under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), fresh salmon from China is listed at 13.3%, higher than the 8% under the Korea–China FTA.

    An FTA rate is not automatic. The importer must apply for it before the import declaration is accepted and must hold proof of origin. Send your buyer the origin document with the shipping papers. Rates can change during the year; the EU and UK rows in the 2026 file run only to June 30. Check the rate on KCS UNIPASS for the date of import, and confirm it with a licensed Korean customs broker. All seafood rates are in Korea’s seafood import duty guide.

    What does a salmon exporter need before shipping to Korea?

    Most of the work is registration and documents, and it starts before the first shipment. As of October 2026, the main steps are these:

    • Register your plant with MFDS. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) requires the foreign manufacturing facility to be registered before the import declaration. Registration is valid for two years. See the guide to MFDS foreign facility registration.
    • Go through your government if you are in Norway or Chile. MFDS lists 11 countries with seafood sanitary arrangements, including Norway and Chile. For these countries, the exporting government registers the facility; online registration is not possible. Under the Norway arrangement, only producers notified by the Norwegian authority can export, and each shipment needs a health certificate.
    • Check quarantine. The National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS) quarantines live fish. Its list of chilled or frozen products that need quarantine names abalone, oysters and shrimp; salmon is not on it (checked October 15, 2026). Confirm with NFQS for your product.
    • Prepare the Korean label. The importer submits Korean label content with the import declaration. The rules are in the guide to Korean labeling for seafood.

    The importer, not the exporter, files the import declaration and holds the Korean business licenses. The full sequence, with who does what, is in the step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea.

    Do certification and origin labeling matter for salmon in Korea?

    They matter to part of the market. ASC Korea listed 69 sites with ASC chain-of-custody certification as of October 17, 2025, and 27 of them named salmon among the products they handle. That is a count of certified handlers, not a share of buyers. Read the guide to ASC and MSC certified seafood in Korea before you decide whether to certify.

    Origin is visible to consumers. The NSC reports that 78% of Korean salmon consumers recognize Norway as the origin of their salmon. A Chilean or Canadian exporter is selling against a known name, and the prices above show that Korean importers paid less for other origins in Jan–Sep 2026.

    To find ASC-certified salmon suppliers by country, search SEACHING BlueCert, which is built on ASC and MSC Find a Supplier data.

    More on salmon and Korea

    Check Korea’s salmon imports in your form

    The same monthly data by origin exists for fresh salmon fillet imports by origin (free sign-up) and frozen Pacific salmon import data (free sign-up).

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

    FAQ

    What is the HS code for frozen salmon fillet in Korea?

    Korea classifies frozen salmon fillets under HSK 0304.81.0000, which covers Pacific, Atlantic and Danube salmon. Fresh or chilled fillets go under 0304.41.0000. Korea imported US$14.2 million under 0304.81 in Jan–Sep 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Is smoked salmon imported under a different HS code?

    Yes. Smoked salmon, including fillets, goes under HSK 0305.41.0000. Korea imported US$1.2 million of it in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$20.67 per kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). The basic duty is 20%, with 0% for Norway, Chile, the US and Canada in 2026 (tariff schedule checked October 15, 2026).

    How much salmon does Korea consume a year?

    The Norwegian Seafood Council estimates Korea’s salmon market at 45,800 tonnes in 2025. Korea’s customs data shows imports of 43,867 tonnes of salmon products in 2025 under eight salmon codes (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). The two are different measures and should not be compared directly.

    Sources and method

    Method: salmon = HS subheadings 0302.13, 0302.14, 0303.11, 0303.12, 0303.13, 0304.41, 0304.81 and 0305.41 (eight 10-digit HSK codes). The salmon price trend and forecast uses the five largest of these codes, which made up 99.5% of the value in Jan–Sep 2026. Price = customs value (US$, CIF) ÷ net weight; multi-month prices divide total value by total weight. Months with no imports from an origin count as zero. Origin figures cover origins with at least US$100,000 of sales to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026, 99.98% of the value in Jan–Sep 2026. Figures for 2026 may be revised when Korea Customs Service publishes final data. Customs rules and tariffs change; confirm with a licensed Korean customs broker and the agencies named above.

  • Korea’s Eel Imports: Glass Eels, Live Eel and Prepared Eel by Origin

    Korea’s Eel Imports: Glass Eels, Live Eel and Prepared Eel by Origin

    Data as of: Korea Customs Service data through September 2026 (SEACHING, queried October 15, 2026). Tariffs and CITES status checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea’s eel imports fell 66.6% to US$45.5 million in Jan–Sep 2026, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Glass eels for farms dropped from US$94.7 million to US$16.3 million, and live table eel from US$15.9 million to US$2.7 million. Prepared eel, 98.1% from China, rose 8.7% to US$24.1 million.

    The number that matters: 53.0%
    Prepared eel’s share of Korea’s eel import value in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 16.3% a year earlier.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported US$45.5 million of eel in Jan–Sep 2026, down 66.6% from US$136.3 million in Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s glass eel imports fell from US$94.7 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$16.3 million in Jan–Sep 2026; Hong Kong was the declared origin of 78.5% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • China supplied 92.8% of Korea’s live table eel imports in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$9.43/kg, down from US$13.04/kg in Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • As of October 2026, live eel pays a 20% adjustment tariff in Korea, glass eels 0%, and prepared eel 20% from China but 0% from Vietnam (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    What does Korea actually import when it imports eel?

    Korea buys eel in three markets, each with its own HS code, origins and price: seed eels for farms, live eel for eating, and prepared eel.

    MarketHSKJan–Sep 2025 (US$ million)Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)Volume, 2026US$/kg, 2026Main origin, 2026
    Glass eels (seed, up to 0.3 g)0301.92.100094.7216.285.6 t2,920Hong Kong 78.5%
    Young eels (seed, 0.3–50 g)0301.92.20003.542.329.0 t258Taiwan 100%
    Live eel for eating0301.92.909015.872.74284 t9.66China 92.8%
    Prepared eel1604.17.1000, 1604.17.900022.2024.122,179 t11.07China 98.1%
    Fresh or frozen eel0302.74, 0303.260.0030.0006 kg––
    All eel136.3245.472,478 t

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

    Eel was 1.03% of Korea’s seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026 (the Q3 2026 seafood imports report covers the rest). Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    Stacked bar chart of Korea's eel imports by market, Jan–Sep 2025 vs Jan–Sep 2026: total US$136.3 million to US$45.5 million; seed eels US$98.3 million to US$18.6 million; live eel US$15.9 million to US$2.7 million; prepared eel US$22.2 million to US$24.1 million

    Where do Korea’s glass eels come from, and when do they arrive?

    Hong Kong was the declared origin of 78.5% of Korea’s glass eel imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026, followed by Japan at 14.5%, Taiwan at 4.1% and Vietnam at 2.8%. The data does not show where the eels were caught.

    Hong Kong’s shipments fell from US$87.2 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$12.8 million. The average customs price across all origins fell from US$7,698/kg to US$2,920/kg. Customs data records the fall but not its cause.

    February to April took 95.8% of the Jan–Sep 2026 value, and Korea recorded no glass eel imports from June 2025 to January 2026. Young eels, the larger seed fish, came only from Taiwan in 2026, at US$258/kg.

    SEACHING’s “By Country” table for glass eels lists each declared origin with value, price per kg and volume for October 2025 to September 2026. With no imports from October 2025 to January 2026, that window holds the same shipments as Jan–Sep 2026.

    SEACHING By Country table for Korea's glass eel imports (HS 0301921000), October 2025 to September 2026: five declared origins, from Hong Kong SAR China to the Philippines, with value, unit price and volume

    Who sells live eel to Korea, and at what price?

    China supplies almost all of Korea’s live table eel, but far less than before: 3,388 tonnes in 2024, 1,170 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2025 and 270 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026.

    OriginShare of value, Jan–Sep 2026Tonnes, 2025 → 2026 (Jan–Sep)US$/kg, 2025 → 2026 (Jan–Sep)
    China92.8%1,170 → 27013.04 → 9.43
    Morocco5.8%39.5 → 11.414.24 → 14.04
    Australia1.4%3.8 → 2.712.74 → 14.11
    All origins100%1,214 → 28413.08 → 9.66

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, HSK 0301.92.9090, queried October 15, 2026.

    China’s monthly customs price fell from US$12.73/kg in September 2025 to US$8.64/kg in September 2026. Moroccan and Australian eel averaged about US$14/kg in Jan–Sep 2026, more than US$4.50/kg above Chinese eel.

    Chart of Korea's monthly live eel import price, January 2024 to September 2026: China as a line falling to US$8.64/kg in September 2026, with Moroccan and Australian dots above it since October 2025

    Prepared eel: is China the only supplier?

    China supplied 98.2% of Korea’s prepared eel imports (HSK 1604.17.9000) in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$11.08/kg, down from US$12.22/kg in Jan–Sep 2025. It is the only eel line whose value grew: imports under this code rose 13.6% in value and 24.7% in volume. Vietnam (US$7.24/kg), Thailand (US$12.73/kg) and Türkiye (US$23.30/kg) each had under 1%. See also China’s seafood exports to Korea and Korean buyer specifications.

    What tariffs apply to eel shipped to Korea?

    As of October 2026, glass eels enter Korea duty-free, live eel pays a 20% adjustment tariff through December 31, 2026, and prepared eel pays 20% unless an FTA rate is lower.

    Origin (agreement)Glass eels 0301.92.1000Young eels 0301.92.2000Live eel 0301.92.9090Prepared eel 1604.17.9000
    No FTA (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Morocco)0%5%20% (10% base + 2026 adjustment)20%
    China (Korea–China FTA)0%27% or KRW 1,879/kg listed27% or KRW 1,879/kg listed20%
    Japan (RCEP rate listed for glass eels only)0%5%20%20%
    Vietnam (Korea–Vietnam FTA, RCEP)0%5% (RCEP)24% or KRW 1,526/kg listed0%
    Thailand (Korea–ASEAN FTA, RCEP)0%5% (RCEP)24% or KRW 1,526/kg listed5%
    Australia (Korea–Australia FTA, RCEP)0%5% (RCEP)27% or KRW 1,879/kg listed0%
    Türkiye (Korea–Türkiye FTA)0%0%0% listed (see note)0%

    Source: Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule (data.go.kr, February 11, 2026) and 2026 adjustment tariff decree, checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea applies an FTA rate only when it is lower than the regular rate. For live eel, the FTA rates listed for China, Vietnam, Thailand and Australia are not lower, so plan around 20%. Where an FTA lists 0%, as for Türkiye, check whether the adjustment tariff still applies. Confirm your rate with a licensed customs broker or on UNIPASS before you quote; see the guide to Korea’s seafood import duty.

    What other rules apply? CITES and origin labeling

    European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has been in CITES Appendix II since March 13, 2009. From December 2010 the EU stopped European eel trade into and out of the EU. In November 2025, CITES Committee I rejected an EU proposal to list all other Anguilla species, with 35 votes for, 100 against and 8 abstentions. Check the current Appendices before each season.

    The Korean importer files the declaration and claims any FTA rate before clearance, and restaurants must show eel’s origin, according to the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS). Before shipping prepared eel, register your plant with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea covers the documents.

    Check Korea’s eel imports by code

    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.

    Before you approach a Korean eel buyer, check which of the three eel markets your product belongs to and Korea’s latest monthly customs price per kg. Look up live eel imports on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Does Korea import frozen eel or eel fillets?

    Hardly any frozen whole eel: 6 kg in Jan–Sep 2026 (HSK 0303.26, SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). Frozen eel fillets share HSK 0304.69 with tilapia, catfish, carp and Nile perch, so customs data cannot separate them.

    When does Korea import the most live eel?

    October to December. By weight, Korea’s live eel imports ran at 140 to 146 in those months and 68 in June, against a monthly average of 100 for October 2023–September 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). See the Korea seafood demand calendar.

    Sources and method

  • 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

  • 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