SEACHING｜Bridging Korea and the global seafood market.

Tag: Squid

  • South Korea Seafood Consumption per Capita: Sorting Out the Conflicting Numbers

    South Korea Seafood Consumption per Capita: Sorting Out the Conflicting Numbers

    Data as of: KREI Food Balance Sheet 2024 edition (2024 values provisional) and Korea’s e-Narajipyo indicator 1317, updated October 13, 2026.

    South Korea’s seafood consumption was 59.9 kg per person in 2024 (provisional), according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), which builds the figure from the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) Food Balance Sheet. That total includes seaweed. Counting fish and shellfish only, KREI puts Korea’s 2024 supply at 35.1 kg per person.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s per-capita seafood consumption was 59.9 kg in 2024 (provisional), down from a peak of 70.2 kg in 2019, according to MOF’s e-Narajipyo indicator based on the KREI Food Balance Sheet.
    • Korea’s fish and shellfish supply was 35.1 kg per person in 2024 (provisional), net of inedible parts, according to KREI’s Food Balance Sheet 2024 edition.
    • On MOF’s e-Narajipyo series, which starts in 1999, Korea’s per-capita meat consumption passed seafood for the first time in 2022, at 67.3 kg against 63.5 kg.

    How much seafood does the average South Korean eat?

    59.9 kg a year on MOF’s headline measure (2024), or 35.1 kg counting fish (19.2 kg) and shellfish (15.9 kg) only. Both come from KREI’s Food Balance Sheet.

    Definition. Korea’s per-capita seafood figures measure food supply: production plus imports and stocks, minus exports, feed, seed and losses, divided by the population. KREI then removes inedible parts such as bones and shells to get net supply per person. KREI states that supply is not the same as intake.

    Why do sources give different per-capita numbers?

    Four things explain most of the spread: what each source counts, inedible parts, the year shown and forecasts.

    FigureYearPublisherFish and shellfish basisSeaweed
    59.9 kg2024, provisionalMOF, e-Narajipyo (from KREI)Net of inedible partsIncluded, full weight
    35.1 kg2024, provisionalKREI, Food Balance Sheet 2024Net of inedible partsExcluded
    38.4 kg2024, provisionalKREI (35.1 + 3.3)Net of inedible partsIncluded, net
    60.9 kg2023, preliminaryUSDA, citing KREI 2023 editionSame basis as MOF; MOF’s series now shows 60.7 kgIncluded, full weight
    66.8 kg2025, estimateKMI outlook, quoted in a January 2026 column“Net edible supply”; method not givenNot stated
    61 kgNot statedNorwegian Seafood CouncilNo definition or source givenNot stated
    58.4 kg2013–2015 averageMOF in 2017, citing FAOFAO apparent consumptionExcluded (FAO basis)
    20.7 kg2022, worldFAO, SOFIA 2024Aquatic animal foods, live weight equivalentExcluded

    Sources: e-Narajipyo indicator 1317 (updated October 13, 2026); KREI Food Balance Sheet 2023 and 2024 editions; USDA GAIN KS2025-0046; Korea Fisheries Economy, January 23, 2026; Norwegian Seafood Council; Metro Seoul, February 12, 2017; FAO SOFIA 2024.

    Dot chart, one country, seven different numbers: per-capita seafood figures for South Korea by source, from 35.1 kg (KREI, fish and shellfish only, 2024) to 66.8 kg (KMI estimate, 2025), colored by what each figure counts, against a line at the FAO world average of 20.7 kg (2022)

    What is inside MOF’s total. MOF’s 59.9 kg equals KREI’s 35.1 kg of fish and shellfish plus about 24.8 kg of seaweed per person at full weight. The same sum reproduces MOF’s 2023 and 2021 values. MOF does not publish the formula, so this is a reconstruction.

    A break in KREI’s series. KREI’s own per-person figure for that group fell from 25.6 kg in 2022 to 3.3 kg in 2023 and 2024, after KREI began applying an 87–90% refuse rate based on moisture loss in drying. The report does not explain the change, so do not compare these years with earlier ones.

    Inedible parts. KREI removed 42.9% of Korea’s fish and shellfish food supply as inedible in 2024, turning 61.5 kg per person into 35.1 kg.

    Old and untraced numbers. The 68.4 kg seen online is MOF’s value for 2018 and 2021; 58.4 kg is FAO data for 2013–2015, cited by MOF in 2017. The Norwegian Seafood Council’s 61 kg has no year or source.

    Common misconception: “Koreans eat three times the world average”

    Setting MOF’s total against FAO’s world average of 20.7 kg for 2022 mixes two bases. FAO counts aquatic animals only, in live weight equivalent.

    On a closer basis the claim roughly holds. Korea’s fish and shellfish supply before removing inedible parts was 66.1 kg per person in 2022, about 3.2 times FAO’s figure. The methods are not identical, so read the multiple as approximate. Setting KREI’s net 37.7 kg for 2022 against FAO’s whole-weight figure errs the other way, giving 1.8 times.

    Is Korean seafood consumption rising or falling?

    Falling since 2019. MOF’s series peaked at 70.2 kg per person in 2019 and reached 59.9 kg in 2024, down 14.7%. Fish and shellfish alone fell 16.4% over the same years, from 42.0 kg to 35.1 kg (KREI).

    Line chart, Korea's seafood consumption per person peaked in 2019: MOF's per-capita seafood total rose from 51.2 kg in 2010 to 70.2 kg in 2019 and fell to 59.9 kg in 2024 (provisional); meat passed it in 2022 at 67.3 kg against 63.5 kg; KREI's fish and shellfish supply fell to 35.1 kg in 2024

    USDA reports that seafood consumption in Korea fell in every age group except people aged 60 and over between 2020 and 2023.

    Is South Korea self-sufficient in seafood?

    No. Korea’s fish and shellfish production equaled 56.2% of its domestic consumption in 2024 (provisional), according to KREI; the low point was 48.9% in 2019. MOF’s fishery products rate, 76.7% in 2024, most likely covers a broader product group. The analysis of Korea’s seafood self-sufficiency covers the 30-year trend.

    What does this mean for exporters selling to Korea?

    In 2024 Korea imported 2.24 million tonnes of fish and shellfish, 1.19 times its own production of 1.88 million tonnes (KREI, live weight basis). Per-person supply has fallen since 2019, so read any growth for a single species against a shrinking national total.

    The species matter more than the national average. USDA names mackerel, squid, Alaska pollock, shrimp, flatfish, hairtail, crab, monkfish, eel, anchovy, oyster and octopus as Korea’s main species, with domestic supply of the top species falling short.

    SEACHING Trends tab for Korea's frozen mackerel imports (HS 0303540000), showing monthly import value and unit price from October 2025 to September 2026 and a Monthly Data table of value, unit price and volume

    The Trends tab for frozen mackerel (HS 0303540000) charts Korea’s monthly import value and unit price, with a monthly table below. See also what seafood Korea imports most, the Korea seafood market size breakdown and the quarterly Korea seafood imports report.

    Which figure should you cite?

    Name the basis with the figure:

    • Total seafood: “South Korea’s seafood consumption was 59.9 kg per person in 2024 (provisional), according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ e-Narajipyo indicator, based on the KREI Food Balance Sheet.”
    • Fish and shellfish only: “South Korea’s fish and shellfish supply was 35.1 kg per person in 2024 (provisional, net of inedible parts), according to the Korea Rural Economic Institute’s Food Balance Sheet 2024.”

    For country comparisons, use FAO data on both sides.

    Look up Korea’s imports for your species

    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, from Korea Customs Service data.

    To see how much of your species Korea imports, month by month and by origin, query the data on SEACHING (free sign-up).

    FAQ

    Do Koreans eat a lot of seafood?

    Yes. Korea’s fish and shellfish supply before removing inedible parts was 66.1 kg per person in 2022, roughly three times FAO’s world average of 20.7 kg (calculated from KREI and FAO data).

    Where does the 60.9 kg figure come from?

    USDA’s 60.9 kg for 2023 is 36.0 kg of fish and shellfish plus 24.9 kg of seaweed, from KREI’s preliminary 2023 data. MOF’s series now shows 60.7 kg for 2023.

    Is South Korea self-sufficient in food?

    No. KREI’s Food Balance Sheet 2024 puts Korea’s self-sufficiency at 56.2% for fish and shellfish and 18.8% for cereals in 2024 (provisional). For the origins of Korea’s seafood imports, see Korea’s fish imports by country.

    Sources and method

  • Labeling and Country-of-Origin Rules for Imported Seafood in Korea

    Labeling and Country-of-Origin Rules for Imported Seafood in Korea

    Data as of: Korean laws and MFDS notices checked on law.go.kr on October 14, 2026.

    Korea food labeling requirements for imported seafood come from three rule sets, as of October 2026: a Korean-language label under the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, an origin mark under the Foreign Trade Act, and post-customs traceability reports for 27 items. The Korean importer is the legal labeler. The exporter prints the origin and supplies label data.

    Key takeaways

    • Under Korea’s Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, the registered Korean importer is the party legally responsible for the Korean label on imported seafood (Enforcement Rule, Article 4, as of October 2026).
    • Korea’s Foreign Trade Management Regulation lists every HS heading from 0301 to 0309, plus 1604 and 1605, as goods that must carry a country-of-origin mark on import (Annex 8, checked October 2026).
    • A Korean sticker on imported seafood is legal if it cannot fall off and does not cover the original product name or dates (MFDS Labeling Standards for Food, as of October 2026).
    • Korea’s net weight rule for glazed seafood requires the weight without the ice glaze (MFDS Labeling Standards for Food, as of October 2026).
    • False origin labeling of seafood in Korea carries up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 100 million (Origin Labeling Act, Article 14, as of October 2026).

    Who does what, and when?

    Most of the work happens before cartons are printed. The importer owns the label in law but needs your product data to write it.

    StepWhoWhatWhen
    1. Agree the Korean label textImporter writes it; exporter supplies product name, species, net weight, dates, storage, plant nameDraft Korean labelBefore production
    2. Print the origin markExporter“Product of [country]” or equivalent on each carton and retail packWhen packaging is printed
    3. Apply the Korean labelExporter at the plant, or importer in a Korean bonded warehouse with customs approvalPrinted Korean text or a firmly attached stickerBefore the MFDS import declaration
    4. Import declaration and inspectionImporter files; MFDS checks the label; customs checks the origin markLabeled packaging or label text, color photosOn arrival
    5. Origin labeling in distribution and traceability reportsImporter and every distributorOrigin shown at sale; transfer reports for 27 listed itemsAfter customs clearance

    Source: Enforcement Rule of the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control, Article 27; Customs Act, Article 230; Notice on Bonded Cargo Management, Articles 20–22; MOF press release, June 2026. Checked October 14, 2026.

    Flow diagram of the five labeling steps for seafood exported to Korea: label text agreed before production, origin printed by the exporter, Korean label applied at the plant or in a Korean bonded warehouse, MFDS and customs checks on arrival, then origin labeling and traceability reports by the importer

    What must a Korean label on imported seafood include?

    The answer depends on whether MFDS treats your product as natural-state seafood or as processed seafood. Whole, gutted, frozen or chilled fish and shellfish fall under the shorter “natural-state” list. Surimi products, salted and fermented seafood, dried seafood and other processed products need the full list.

    Item on the Korean labelNatural-state seafood (e.g., frozen whole mackerel)Processed seafood (e.g., surimi, dried squid)Data the exporter supplies
    Product or content nameYesYesSpecies and product name
    Food typeNoYesProcess description
    Business nameImporter’s nameImporter’s name and address, plus the manufacturerPlant name
    DateProduction (catch) date or packing dateUse-by dateProduction or catch date, shelf life
    Net contentYesYes, with caloriesNet weight without glaze
    IngredientsNoYes, with nutrition factsFull recipe and percentages
    Storage method and cautionsWhere relevantYes, including allergensStorage temperature

    Source: MFDS Labeling Standards for Food, Chapter III.1 (natural-state foods and processed seafood), as published in Notice No. 2026-37, checked October 14, 2026.

    Natural-state seafood does not have to show a use-by date. If your carton already shows one, the Korean label must follow the Korean date format and must not change it. Korea moved processed foods from a sell-by date to a use-by date (sobi gihan) for products shipped from January 1, 2023.

    Four detailed rules cause most of the rework.

    • Names. Seafood names must follow the names in Korea’s Food Code (Sikpum Gongjeon) or a widely used market name. Croakers are the exception: they must use the Food Code name. The Korean product name is a transliteration or translation of your product name. See how Korean buyers name and specify seafood.
    • Net weight. Glazed or ice-packed seafood must state the weight without the ice.
    • Dates. If your date format differs from Korea’s year-month-day order, the label must show an example of the order. If your country does not require a shelf life, the importer sets one from your evidence.
    • Type size. Korean text must be at least 10 point and indelible. For imported food, foreign-language text may be larger than the Korean text.

    Two exceptions help exporters of raw material. Natural-state seafood imported loose, without containers or packaging, can skip the Korean label. A Korean processor importing fish for its own factory needs only a short list, and that list can be in English.

    Who applies the Korean label, and can it be a sticker?

    The importer is responsible, and a sticker is allowed in most seafood cases. Korea’s Enforcement Rule names the import-sales business as the labeling party. The foreign plant is not on that list.

    The MFDS Labeling Standards for Food allow a Korean sticker, label or tag on imported food that is also sold in the exporting country. The sticker must not fall off and must not cover the original product name or dates. Stickers are also allowed on natural-state seafood and on raw material supplied to food factories. If you print Korean directly on the packaging, it must be printed or stamped, not stuck on. For a processed retail product made only for Korea, ask your importer whether a sticker is acceptable.

    The label has to exist by the time the importer files with MFDS. The declaration requires the labeled packaging or a document with the Korean label text, plus color photos showing both the Korean and the original labels. MFDS inspectors also check labeling during on-site inspection (how Korean import inspection works).

    That leaves two places to apply stickers. Your plant can apply them before loading, using the importer’s approved artwork. The importer can apply them in a Korean bonded warehouse as “repair work” approved by customs, which Korea’s Notice on Bonded Cargo Management allows for labeling and origin marking.

    How should country of origin appear on seafood cartons?

    Print the origin on every carton and retail pack, in English or Korean, at the production stage. Two laws apply at two different points.

    Customs stageDistribution stage
    LawForeign Trade Act, Article 33; Foreign Trade Management RegulationAct on the Origin Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products
    Who enforcesKorea Customs Service at clearanceNFQS, local governments, KCS
    Who must markThe importer, on the goods or packagingThe importer, distributors and retailers selling or storing for sale
    What it requiresHS 0301–0309, 1604 and 1605 carry an origin markOrigin stays visible through sale; imported seafood uses the Foreign Trade Act origin
    PenaltyClearance refused; penalty surcharge of up to KRW 300 millionUp to 7 years or KRW 100 million for false labeling; fine of up to KRW 10 million for no label

    Source: Foreign Trade Act, Articles 33 and 33-2; Foreign Trade Management Regulation, Articles 75–76 and Annex 8; Origin Labeling Act, Articles 5, 14 and 18; Customs Act, Article 230. Checked October 14, 2026.

    The two laws connect. Imported seafood must show the origin as defined by the Foreign Trade Act, and a correct Foreign Trade Act mark counts as an origin mark under the Origin Labeling Act. One mark, done right, covers both.

    Accepted forms include “Product of [country]”, “Made in [country]” and “Country of Origin: [country]”. The mark must be legible, easy to find and hard to remove. The regulation prefers marks printed during manufacture; stickers and tags are for packaging where printing is impractical.

    Origin for fish follows the catch. Fish caught in a country’s waters takes that country’s origin; fish caught on the high seas takes the flag of the vessel. Freezing, cleaning, sorting and simple cutting in another country do not change the origin.

    If a brand name or language on your pack points to another country, put the origin on the front panel. When the importer repacks into retail units, the repacker must mark the origin again on the new pack.

    Fish imported directly by a Korean factory for substantial processing can be exempt from the origin mark. Do not assume it applies; customs can check how the goods were used. If you are unsure how to mark a product, the importer can ask Korea Customs Service to confirm the method before import, and KCS answers within 30 days.

    Which seafood falls under Korea’s traceability reporting?

    Traceability reporting is the importer’s job, but it starts from your documents. Since June 29, 2026, Korea’s imported seafood distribution-history system covers 27 items. The five added items are frozen mackerel, frozen hairtail, frozen pollock, frozen squid and chilled squid.

    Each importer and distributor must report the transfer within 5 days. Missing or false reports carry fines of up to KRW 5 million, under the Act on the Management and Support of Fishery Product Distribution, according to NFQS.

    You file nothing. Your product name, origin and lot data on the invoice and carton become the importer’s report data, so keep them identical across documents. Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has also announced a catch certification scheme for imported seafood; no start date was confirmed as of October 2026.

    What labeling mistakes cause problems at the Korean border?

    Most labeling problems are mismatches, not missing items. Customs refuses clearance when the origin mark is missing, wrong or not in the required form. Minor errors can be corrected before clearance, usually in the bonded warehouse at the importer’s cost.

    MistakeWhat happensPrevention
    No origin on inner retail packsCustoms asks for correction before clearancePrint origin on every pack sold to consumers
    Species name on label differs from the health certificate and invoiceQuestions at document review or on-site inspectionOne product name list shared with the importer
    Net weight includes the glazeLabel breaches the net content ruleDeclare glaze separately, state net weight without ice
    Sticker covers the original name or dateLabel breaches the sticker ruleLeave a blank panel on the carton for the sticker
    Date format unclear (e.g., 03/04/26)Inspector cannot read the dateUse year-month-day or print an example

    Source: Customs Act, Article 230; MFDS Labeling Standards for Food, Chapter II.1 and Annex 1. Checked October 14, 2026.

    Health certificate and plant registration issues are covered in MFDS foreign food facility registration, and the full export sequence is in how to export seafood to Korea. Origin also decides your tariff; see Korea’s seafood import duty by species and FTA.

    Pre-shipment labeling checklist

    • The importer has sent you approved Korean label text or artwork.
    • The Korean product name and species name match the health certificate, invoice and packing list.
    • “Product of [country]” is printed on every carton and every retail pack.
    • Net weight on the carton excludes the ice glaze.
    • Production or catch date and any shelf life use an unambiguous format.
    • Each carton has a blank panel for a Korean sticker that will not cover your own name or date.
    • You and the importer have agreed who applies the sticker: your plant or a Korean bonded warehouse.
    • Lot numbers on cartons match the invoice, for the importer’s traceability reports.

    These rules were checked on October 14, 2026. Labeling notices change often, so confirm the final label with your Korean importer, a licensed Korean customs broker or MFDS before you print packaging. A first-time buyer will check how well you handle these details (what Korean importers look for).

    Check which origins already supply your product to Korea

    A correct label gets your cartons through inspection; it does not tell you whether Korea buys your product. SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s imports by 10-digit HS code, including the newly listed traceability items: frozen mackerel imports into Korea, frozen pollock imports and frozen squid imports (free sign-up).

    Labels get your cartons through inspection; data gets you the order. Check which origins already supply your product to Korea and at what price range. Start with SEACHING’s product data (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Can I ship seafood to Korea with an English-only label?

    Yes, if a Korean label is applied before the importer files the MFDS import declaration. The importer can apply a Korean sticker in a Korean bonded warehouse with customs approval. The origin mark itself can be in English, such as “Product of Norway”, as of October 2026.

    Does frozen fish sold to a Korean food factory need a consumer label?

    Not the full one. Seafood imported by a Korean processor for its own production needs only a short list, which can be in English. Seafood supplied by an importer to a factory as raw material needs a reduced Korean label, under the Enforcement Rule of the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, Annex 1.

    What happens if the origin on my carton does not match the documents?

    Korea Customs Service will not clear goods whose origin mark is wrong or missing, under Customs Act Article 230. Minor errors can be fixed in the bonded warehouse before clearance. A deliberately false origin is a criminal offense under the Origin Labeling Act.

    Is a catch certificate required for seafood imports to Korea?

    Not yet, as of October 2026. Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has announced a catch certification scheme for imported seafood, but no start date or species list was confirmed. Check with your importer before each season.

    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.

  • South Korea Seafood Market Size: What the Trade Statistics Show

    South Korea Seafood Market Size: What the Trade Statistics Show

    Data as of: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026; Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries production data for 2025 (preliminary); KREI Food Balance Sheet for 2023.

    South Korea’s seafood market has no single official size. The clearest measure for exporters is imports: Korea imported US$5.97 billion of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and prepared seafood in 2025, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Domestic production was 3.93 million tonnes, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, preliminary).

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported US$5,974.9 million of seafood (HS 03 and 1603–1605) in 2025, 1.37 million tonnes, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • Korea’s official indicator portal, e-Narajipyo, puts Korea’s 2025 seafood imports at US$6.44 billion, up 7.5% from 2024, because it counts a wider product list, including salt.
    • Korea produced 3,934,971 tonnes of seafood in 2025, worth KRW 10.24 trillion, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (preliminary).
    • In 2023, Korea’s fish and shellfish imports of 2.28 million tonnes equaled 67.2% of its domestic consumption of 3.39 million tonnes, according to the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) Food Balance Sheet.

    How big is the South Korean seafood market?

    It depends on what you measure. For a supplier, the most useful number is Korea’s import value, the part of the market foreign sellers compete for.

    Definition: “seafood market size” in Korea
    Korea’s official statistics measure production (tonnes and Korean won), imports (customs value in US dollars) and apparent consumption (tonnes). None of them is a retail sales figure.

    MeasureLatest figurePeriodPublisher
    Imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605US$5,974.9 million; 1,365,595 tonnes2025SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data
    Imports, MOF product listUS$6.44 billion2025e-Narajipyo (Korea Customs Service data)
    Imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605US$4,415.6 million (+0.7% vs Jan–Sep 2025)Jan–Sep 2026SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data
    Domestic production3,934,971 tonnes; KRW 10.24 trillion2025, preliminaryMinistry of Oceans and Fisheries
    Fish and shellfish consumption3,391.9 thousand tonnes2023, preliminaryKREI Food Balance Sheet

    Sources: as listed in the table; see Sources and method.

    Scope note: in this article, Korea’s seafood imports means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded. The production totals, by contrast, include seaweed aquaculture.

    Why do market size estimates disagree?

    Because they count different products at different points in the supply chain. An import value stops at the border and is a customs value (CIF). A retail figure would also carry importer, wholesale and store margins. A production figure is in tonnes or won.

    Market size figures in paid research reports are not official statistics. If a figure does not state its products, price level and data series, it cannot be checked against official data.

    Even official import figures differ by product list:

    SeriesValueYearWhat it counts
    e-Narajipyo (MOF list, KCS data)US$5.98 billion2024687 HSK lines (2021 list), including salt
    USDA, from KITA dataUS$5.52 billion2024Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and prepared seafood
    SEACHING, HS 03 and 1603–1605US$5,508.0 million2024Origins with at least US$100,000 in a 12-month window
    e-Narajipyo (MOF list, KCS data)US$6.44 billion2025Same as above
    SEACHING, HS 03 and 1603–1605US$5,974.9 million2025All origins

    Sources: e-Narajipyo; USDA FAS GAIN KS2025-0046; SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, queried October 15, 2026.

    Bar chart, Korea's seafood imports: one market, three numbers: e-Narajipyo US$6.44 billion (2025), SEACHING HS 03 + 1603–1605 US$5.97 billion (2025), USDA FAS US$5.52 billion (2024, in grey)

    For 2024, the USDA figure is within 0.2% of SEACHING’s HS 03 and 1603–1605 total, which suggests the two cover nearly the same products. In 2025 the e-Narajipyo series is about US$465 million higher because its product list is wider.

    What do official statistics measure?

    They measure production, imports and consumption, each in its own unit, so the figures cannot be added into one market value. Korea’s 2025 production of 3,934,971 tonnes rose 8.7% from 2024, and its value rose 1.4% to KRW 10.24 trillion, according to the MOF. Aquaculture supplied 2,530,277 tonnes, or 64.3% of the total; coastal and offshore fishing supplied 977,648 tonnes and distant-water fishing 382,660 tonnes.

    For fish and shellfish alone, the KREI Food Balance Sheet gives a like-for-like picture. In 2023, Korea produced 1,932.7 thousand tonnes, imported 2,278.6 thousand tonnes and consumed 3,391.9 thousand tonnes. Production covered 57.0% of consumption.

    Bar chart, Korea imports more fish and shellfish than it produces: 2023 (preliminary) production 1.93 million tonnes, imports 2.28 million tonnes, domestic consumption 3.39 million tonnes, KREI Food Balance Sheet

    For per-person figures, see the guide to Korea’s seafood consumption per capita; for the 57% rate, the analysis of Korea’s seafood self-sufficiency.

    How do you read market size from trade statistics?

    Start from the import total, then break it down by HS code and origin. In 2025, live, fresh, frozen, dried and salted fish, crustaceans and molluscs (HS chapter 03) made up 86.4% of Korea’s imports in this scope, and prepared products (HS 1603–1605) 13.6%.

    The market is spread across many lines. The 10 largest 10-digit codes took 36.4% of Korea’s 2025 import value. Frozen squid (free sign-up), HS 0307.43.2090, led with US$413.3 million, followed by frozen peeled shrimp (free sign-up), HS 0306.17.1090, at US$401.0 million and fresh or chilled Atlantic salmon (free sign-up), HS 0302.14, at US$244.5 million.

    In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea’s frozen peeled shrimp imports reached US$313.9 million, ahead of frozen squid at US$235.3 million. China supplied 23.7% of Korea’s 2025 seafood imports by value.

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows this one product at a time. On an HS code page’s Trends tab, you can see how import value and unit price moved month by month, with the same figures in a table below the chart.

    SEACHING Trends tab for Korea's fresh or chilled Atlantic salmon imports (HS 0302140000): monthly import value and unit price, October 2025 to September 2026, with a Monthly Data table

    For species rankings, see what seafood Korea imports most; for the latest quarter, the Korea seafood imports report for Q3 2026.

    Is Korea a net seafood importer?

    Yes. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that Korea has been a net importer of seafood since 2001, as domestic supply of the main species falls short of demand.

    Common misconception: “the market is smaller than its imports”

    A “market size” figure below US$5.97 billion does not mean Korean demand is smaller than its imports. It means the figure measures something else, such as one channel or product group.

    Nor does every imported kilo stay in Korea: USDA calls Korea one of the largest intermediary seafood hubs in Asia. Import value shows what crossed the border, not what consumers ate.

    Which number should you cite?

    Pick the measure that matches your question and quote its source and period.

    Your questionNumber to citeSource
    How much seafood does Korea buy from abroad?US$5,974.9 million (2025), HS 03 and 1603–1605SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data
    What does the official headline say?US$6.44 billion (2025)e-Narajipyo, Korea Customs Service data
    How much does Korea produce?3,934,971 tonnes (2025, preliminary)Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
    How much fish and shellfish does Korea consume?3,391.9 thousand tonnes (2023, preliminary)KREI Food Balance Sheet

    Sources: see Sources and method.

    To compare the data sources themselves, see Korea seafood import data sources compared.

    Quote these figures, then check your own product

    You may quote the official figures in this article with their original sources. For Korea’s imports of a specific species or origin, month by month, query the data on SEACHING (free sign-up) and cite “Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, {period}.”

    FAQ

    How much seafood does South Korea import each year?

    South Korea imported US$5,974.9 million of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and prepared seafood (HS 03 and 1603–1605) in 2025, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. The e-Narajipyo series, which counts a wider product list including salt, gives US$6.44 billion.

    Why is Korea’s seafood import figure different in USDA reports?

    USDA counts fewer products than the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries series. For 2024, USDA reported US$5.52 billion, close to the HS 03 and 1603–1605 scope; e-Narajipyo reported US$5.98 billion.

    Are Korea’s seafood imports growing in 2026?

    Only slightly by value. Korea imported US$4,415.6 million of seafood (HS 03 and 1603–1605) in Jan–Sep 2026, up 0.7% from Jan–Sep 2025, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Import weight fell 4.6% over the same period.

    Sources and method

  • Where to Find South Korea Seafood Import Data: 7 Sources Compared

    Where to Find South Korea Seafood Import Data: 7 Sources Compared

    Data as of: source terms checked October 14, 2026; Korean import figures Jan–Sep 2026, except figures from the MOF files (through July 2026).

    The best free source of Korea seafood import data is the Korea Customs Service (KCS). It publishes Korea’s imports by 10-digit HS code, country and month, with final figures around the 15th of the following month. UN Comtrade suits cross-country work but stops at 6 digits. Shipment databases show few Korean importers because Korean customs law protects declaration details.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea Customs Service publishes Korea’s imports free of charge by 10-digit HS code, country and month, updating the previous month’s data around the 15th of each month (KCS, checked October 14, 2026).
    • UN Comtrade reports Korea’s trade only to 6 digits: HS 030743 combines frozen squid and cuttlefish, which Korea splits into four 10-digit lines (UN Comtrade, checked October 14, 2026; SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • In UN Comtrade’s free preview API, Korea’s newest monthly import data was December 2025 when checked on October 14, 2026.
    • Korea’s 2024 seafood imports were US$5.98 billion in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) series and US$5.52 billion in the USDA series, because the two count different products.
    • Company-level figures for Korean importers are estimates on every platform that offers them, including SEACHING, because Korea does not publish importer names in its trade statistics.

    Which source should you use for Korea’s seafood import data?

    Pick the source by your question. Official Korean statistics answer how much, from where and at what customs value. Other sources add reach or commentary but lose detail.

    Your questionStart withWhy
    A figure to quote in a report or articleKorea Customs Service trade statisticsPrimary source, 10-digit detail, monthly
    How Korea compares with Japan, China or the US as a marketUN Comtrade or ITC Trade MapSame 6-digit codes for every reporting country
    Which origins compete with you in one productKCS, MOF files on data.go.kr, or SEACHINGCountry split at 10 digits
    A yearly overview written for exportersUSDA FAS GAIN “Korea Seafood Market Update”Free annual report with commentary
    Which Korean companies import a productSEACHING (estimated)Built from Korean declaration data, not bills of lading

    How do the seven sources compare?

    The table compares each source on the same five points, from each provider’s public pages on the check date.

    SourceCoverageUpdate cycleDetailPriceMain limitsChecked
    1. Korea Customs Service trade statistics (tradedata.go.kr, data.go.kr API)All of Korea’s imports and exportsMonthly; previous month updated around the 15thHS 2, 4, 6 and 10 digits × country × month; imports at CIF valueFreeNo company names; Korean-first interface (English menu exists); API queries limited to 1 year at a timeOct 14, 2026
    2. MOF seafood trade files (data.go.kr)Korea’s seafood trade as MOF defines itMonthly file; July 2026 data posted September 15, 2026HSK 10 digits × country × month, plus year-to-dateFree, no use restrictionIncludes sea salt, fishmeal and other non-fish lines; CSV only, no commentaryOct 14, 2026
    3. UN ComtradeTrade reported by each countryAnnual and monthly; Korea monthly data through Dec 2025 in the preview APIHS 6 digitsFree account (500 API calls a day); Premium from US$2,000 a yearNo 10-digit split; months of delay; no companiesOct 14, 2026
    4. ITC Trade MapTrade reported by each countryAnnual; monthly statistics in the paid MAT Pro tier6 digits; national tariff lines in MAT ProFree core features; MAT Pro free to registered users during the 2026 beta, paid after launchKorean 10-digit detail only through MAT Pro; no companiesOct 14, 2026
    5. TridgeSelected product × country pagesMonthly market updatesTridge’s own product names; no HS code shownSummary free; full view behind Tridge’s market toolsCompany names hidden; transaction source not namedOct 14, 2026
    6. Bill-of-lading databases (Volza, ImportGenius, Panjiva)Countries that release shipment recordsNot stated on public pagesShipment and company levelImportGenius US$229 a month on monthly billing (US data); Volza free sign-up and 7-day trial; Panjiva not listedKorea not in ImportGenius country list; Volza’s Korea page describes shipments traced back to their origin countries; no public Panjiva Korea pageOct 14, 2026
    7. SEACHINGSeafood trade with Korea as one partyKCS data monthly; Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) declarations dailyHSK 10 digits × country × month, plus estimated company figuresFree account with AI tokens; Smart US$20 a month; Custom quoteKorea-side trade only; company figures are estimates; login required; BetaOct 14, 2026

    Sources: each provider’s public pages, checked on the dates shown. See Sources and method.

    Two report-style sources outside the matrix
    The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service publishes a free annual report, “Korea Seafood Market Update”, for US exporters. KATI, run by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), offers monthly trade queries in Korean. Both give context; neither replaces the customs tables.

    What do Korea’s official statistics show, and where do they stop?

    Korea’s official statistics show every import by product, origin and month at 10-digit detail, for free. They stop at the company level.

    Korea Customs Service publishes trade statistics through tradedata.go.kr, which has an English menu with a “By H.S Code and Country” query. The same data is a free API on data.go.kr, with imports valued at CIF. Each month KCS updates the previous month’s figures around the 15th, after corrections and withdrawals of declarations. Preliminary totals come out earlier, on the 1st of the following month.

    The MOF publishes its own seafood files on data.go.kr, built from KCS data. The country file has the 10-digit HSK code, the country and monthly and year-to-date values. It runs later: the file with July 2026 data was posted on September 15, 2026. Its scope is also wider than fish. In Jan–Jul 2026, sea salt made up 2.39 million of the 3.37 million tonnes in the MOF import file, so weight totals need care.

    Company names are missing by law. Article 116 of the Customs Act bars customs officials from disclosing information that taxpayers submit, with narrow exceptions such as court orders (version in force from October 2, 2026). Article 322 lets KCS publish statistics, but even the National Assembly, government agencies and state research institutes that analyze customs data inside a customs office may only see data that cannot identify individual taxpayers.

    When are UN Comtrade and ITC Trade Map the better choice?

    Use UN Comtrade or ITC Trade Map when you compare Korea with other markets. Every reporting country uses the same 6-digit HS codes there, so Korea, Japan and China line up in one table.

    Frozen squid shows the gap. In UN Comtrade, Korea’s 2025 imports from Peru under HS 030743 were 26,695 tonnes worth US$85.4 million at CIF value. A query at 8 digits returns nothing, because Comtrade stops at 6. That one 6-digit line mixes cuttlefish and squid.

    Korea’s own tariff splits HS 030743 into four 10-digit lines. In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea imported US$288.0 million under these four lines. “Other frozen squid” (HSK 0307.43.2090) took 81.7% and “other frozen cuttlefish” (0307.43.1090) took 13.9%. All of Peru’s shipments sat in the squid line: 27,042 tonnes worth US$58.0 million. A cuttlefish seller who reads only the 6-digit total would overstate their market about sevenfold.

    HSK codeProduct (Korean tariff)Share of Korea’s imports under HS 030743, Jan–Sep 2026
    0307.43.1010Frozen cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis, Rossia macrosoma, Sepiola)0.07%
    0307.43.1090Other frozen cuttlefish13.9%
    0307.43.2010Frozen squid (Ommastrephes, Loligo, Nototodarus, Sepioteuthis)4.3%
    0307.43.2090Other frozen squid81.7%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; share of US$288.0 million by value.

    Bar chart of Korea's imports under HS 030743 by 10-digit HSK line, Jan–Sep 2026: other frozen squid 81.7% and other frozen cuttlefish 13.9% of US$288.0 million. Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data

    Timing is the second gap. When checked on October 14, 2026, the newest monthly Korea import data in UN Comtrade’s free preview API was December 2025. KCS already had August 2026. A free registered Comtrade account allows 500 API calls a day and 100,000 records per call. Premium starts at US$2,000 a year for one person.

    ITC Trade Map was in beta on October 14, 2026: registered users could use its MAT Pro features, including monthly data and national tariff lines, free until launch. After that, those features move to paid MAT Pro plans.

    What do commercial platforms add, and what do they miss for Korea?

    Commercial platforms add interpretation and, sometimes, company names. For Korea’s imports, both have limits.

    Tridge publishes monthly product pages for Korea. Its July 2026 page for frozen shrimp listed 14 exporting countries and 1,842 transactions, as checked on October 14, 2026. It uses Tridge’s own product names, with no HS code. Exporter and importer names appear only as “Exporter Co.” and “Importer Co.”, and some price ranges are masked.

    Bill-of-lading databases build company records from shipment documents that some countries release, and Korea does not release them for its imports. ImportGenius lists US plans at US$229 a month on monthly billing, and South Korea does not appear in its country selector (checked October 14, 2026). Volza’s South Korea import page advertised 99.34 million shipments and 140,048 buyers on October 14, 2026, and describes its records as shipments traced back to their origin across 96 countries. That description suggests the records are matched from other countries’ shipment data rather than released by Korean customs. Panjiva had no public Korea data page; its Korea URL redirected to S&P Global press releases. The guide to why bill-of-lading databases show so few Korean importers explains where their Korean records come from.

    What does SEACHING cover, and what doesn’t it?

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, covers seafood trade in which Korea is one party. It does not cover trade between other countries.

    The product and country figures come from KCS trade statistics, updated once a month, and MFDS import declarations, updated once a day. Because many products sit in “other” lines like 0307.43.2090, SEACHING matches MFDS declaration details, such as product name, type and country of manufacture, to the customs codes and regroups imports by species, product, state and processing form.

    Company figures and trading relationships on SEACHING are statistical estimates, not confirmed contracts. Product and company pages require a login, and the platform is labeled Beta. The Free plan comes with AI tokens; the Smart plan costs US$20 a month (checked October 14, 2026). How much a free account can view is not stated on the pricing page.

    Why do Korea’s seafood import figures differ between sources?

    Figures differ mainly because sources count different products.

    ReasonExample
    Product scopeKorea’s 2024 seafood imports: US$5.98 billion in the MOF/KCS series, US$5.52 billion in the USDA series
    Non-fish linesKATI’s “seafood” totals include sea salt, which inflates weight from China
    Code depthUN Comtrade’s HS 030743 merges squid and cuttlefish; KCS splits them
    ValuationKorea reports imports at CIF; exporting countries report the same trade at FOB
    RevisionsKCS final figures can differ from the preliminary totals released on the 1st

    Sources: e-Narajipyo (MOF/KCS series), USDA FAS GAIN KS2025-0046, KATI, UN Comtrade, KCS.

    When you quote a figure, name the source, period and code range in the same sentence. For Korea’s market as a whole, the quarterly report on South Korea’s seafood imports uses one series throughout.

    Start with one product and compare

    Before you quote a number, run one 10-digit product and one origin through two sources and compare. If you price against Korean data, the guide to benchmarking your price against Korean customs import prices shows how to turn value and weight into a per-kg figure.

    On SEACHING you can open frozen squid imports by 10-digit HS code (free sign-up), frozen cuttlefish imports (free sign-up) or Peru’s seafood trade with Korea (free sign-up).

    For a single HSK line, SEACHING lays out each origin’s value, customs unit price and volume for the period you choose.

    SEACHING country table for Korea's frozen squid imports (HS 0307432090), with value, unit price and volume by origin for October 2025 to September 2026

    You may quote SEACHING figures with attribution: “Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, {period}.” To compare a specific species, origin or month, query the data on SEACHING (free sign-up).

    FAQ

    How can I get Korea import data for free?

    Use Korea Customs Service statistics on tradedata.go.kr, which has an English menu, or its free API on data.go.kr. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also posts free monthly seafood CSV files on data.go.kr.

    Does Korea publish importer names in its customs data?

    No. Korea’s trade statistics are aggregates by product, country and month. Article 116 of the Customs Act protects information that importers submit to customs, so any company-level figure you see for Korea’s imports is an estimate built from other data.

    How soon after month-end is Korea’s trade data released?

    Preliminary totals come out on the 1st of the following month. KCS updates detailed final figures around the 15th of the following month, as of October 2026. The MOF seafood files appear later; the July 2026 file was posted on September 15, 2026.

    Who are Korea’s main seafood importers?

    Official data cannot answer this, because importer names are not published. The overview of seafood importers in Korea describes the main types of buyers and how goods reach them.

    Sources and method

  • What Seafood Does South Korea Import the Most? Top 20 Species Ranked

    What Seafood Does South Korea Import the Most? Top 20 Species Ranked

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

    What seafood does South Korea import the most? By value, shrimp: US$587.1 million in January–September 2026, ahead of squid and cuttlefish (US$449.7 million) and salmon (US$420.2 million), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data grouped by species. This ranks imports, not what Koreans eat most.

    The number that matters: US$587.1 million
    Korea’s shrimp imports in Jan–Sep 2026, up 2.2%. Shrimp took first place as squid and cuttlefish, the leader in Jan–Sep 2025, fell 21.8%. Shrimp, squid and salmon made up 33.0% of Korea’s seafood import value.

    Key takeaways

    • Shrimp was Korea’s largest seafood import by species group in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$587.1 million, 43.1% of it from Vietnam (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s squid and cuttlefish imports fell 21.8% to US$449.7 million in Jan–Sep 2026 while weight rose 1.8%, so the drop came from price (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Counted as one group each, crab (US$399.0 million) and octopus (US$377.0 million) ranked fourth and fifth among Korea’s seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • The top 20 species groups accounted for 79.3% of Korea’s US$4,415.6 million of seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    What seafood does South Korea import the most?

    Shrimp leads, followed by squid and cuttlefish, salmon, crab and octopus. Korea imported US$4,415.6 million of seafood in Jan–Sep 2026, up 0.7%, and the top five species groups took 50.6% of it.

    Here, Korea’s seafood imports means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded. Each group sums the Korean tariff codes (HSK) listed under Sources and method.

    RankSpecies groupUS$ millionChangeTonnesUS$/kgLeading origin (share)
    1Shrimp587.1+2.2%82,1697.15Vietnam (43.1%)
    2Squid and cuttlefish449.7−21.8%131,3303.42China (35.0%)
    3Salmon420.2+14.8%37,94711.07Norway (79.0%)
    4Crab399.0+11.9%33,91711.76Russia (83.0%)
    5Octopus, including webfoot and small octopus377.0+6.9%44,8368.41China (45.0%)
    6Alaska pollock266.7+2.5%124,7902.14Russia (80.0%)
    7Tuna204.5+33.2%19,19610.65Türkiye (28.2%)
    8Mackerel148.6+3.0%28,7855.16Norway (77.8%)
    9Surimi, other than pollock117.8+1.6%73,4871.60Vietnam (45.5%)
    10Flatfish69.9+18.2%21,6353.23Russia (46.0%)
    11Croaker (mineo)61.5+18.0%12,9964.73China (33.3%)
    12Lobster53.8−4.3%1,91328.14Canada (98.9%)
    13Clams, cockles and ark shells53.7−14.0%35,9531.49China (89.6%)
    14Scallop46.3−12.1%9,0455.12Japan (62.1%)
    15Eel45.5−66.6%2,47818.35China (57.6%)
    16Yellow croaker (jogi)43.0−16.9%8,0185.36China (99.5%)
    17Monkfish42.0−3.5%18,5572.26China (97.6%)
    18Cod41.0+1.5%7,2115.69Russia (71.3%)
    19Seabream39.0−5.0%4,7128.28Japan (93.1%)
    20Filefish35.3+7.8%4,1778.45Vietnam (92.2%)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; change is value against Jan–Sep 2025. US$/kg is customs value divided by weight. Groups are LINKSUP’s grouping of HSK codes.

    Horizontal bar chart of Korea's top 20 seafood import species groups by value, January–September 2026, led by shrimp at US$587.1 million, squid and cuttlefish at US$449.7 million and salmon at US$420.2 million, with the leading origin labeled on each bar

    US$/kg here is a CIF customs value, not a market price, so compare it with your CIF offer.

    What changed from 2025?

    The top two swapped places. In Jan–Sep 2025, squid and cuttlefish led at US$575.2 million, ahead of shrimp at US$574.4 million. In Jan–Sep 2026 shrimp led by US$137.4 million.

    Squid lost value on price, not volume: weight rose 1.8%, but value per kilo fell 23.2%. See the squid import guide and the Q3 2026 report.

    SEACHING’s By Country table for seasoned squid, part of this group, shows which origins supply it and how far their unit prices differ.

    SEACHING By Country table for Korea's seasoned squid imports (HS 1605542091), data period 2025-10 to 2026-09, listing origins with import value, unit price and volume

    Other moves:

    • Tuna rose 33.2% to US$204.5 million, the fastest growth in the top 20, though it stayed seventh. Frozen bluefin tuna fillets from Türkiye were US$56.8 million, up 26.4%.
    • Eel fell 66.6% to US$45.5 million, dropping from ninth to 15th. Glass eels for farming fell from US$94.7 million to US$16.3 million (see the eel import guide).

    Why rank by species instead of HS code?

    Because one species can sit under many codes. Alaska pollock enters Korea under five HSK codes worth more than US$2 million each in Jan–Sep 2026, at prices from US$1.28/kg to US$4.36/kg.

    Pollock productHSKUS$ millionUS$/kgLeading origin
    Frozen whole0303.67.000093.91.28Russia (94%)
    Frozen surimi0304.94.100066.22.89United States (58%)
    Frozen roe0303.91.201057.24.36Russia (92%)
    Frozen fillets0304.75.000046.93.16Russia (95%)
    Fresh or chilled0302.55.00002.33.56Japan (100%)

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

    No single pollock code reaches Korea’s top 10, but the species ranks sixth. Code 0305.53.1000 (dried fish, US$62.1 million) is labeled Alaska pollock on SEACHING, but Korean customs statistics name it only “other fish, dried”, so it stays in “other”.

    The opposite problem is the “other” code. HSK 0306.33.9000, “other crab, live”, was worth US$98.4 million without naming the crab. The largest code left outside every species group, 0307.92.9000 “other molluscs, frozen”, was US$73.2 million. In total, 16.2% of Korea’s seafood import value sits in codes outside the 27 groups.

    Crab and octopus each hold products that Korean buyers trade separately. Live snow crab was US$129.6 million and frozen king crab US$40.8 million, up 214.2%. Long-arm octopus (nakji) was US$181.6 million, 84.0% from China; webfoot octopus (jukkumi) US$157.5 million, 75.9% from Vietnam.

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, matches Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) import declarations to customs data and reclassifies items by species, state and processing, using a patented classification system. The figures here use HSK codes only. For how buyers name products, see the guide to Korean buyer specifications.

    How is the single-HS-code ranking different?

    By single code, frozen peeled shrimp is still first, and frozen webfoot octopus and bluefin tuna fillets take fourth and fifth. No crab or pollock code makes the top five.

    RankHSKProductUS$ millionChangeLeading origin
    10306.17.1090Peeled shrimp, frozen313.9+4.9%Vietnam (42.4%)
    20307.43.2090Other squid, frozen235.3−26.2%China (35.1%)
    30302.14.0000Atlantic salmon, fresh or chilled207.0+18.2%Norway (96.5%)
    40307.52.3000Webfoot octopus, frozen145.1+9.0%Vietnam (82.4%)
    50304.87.1000Bluefin tuna fillets, frozen144.4+32.2%Türkiye (39.3%)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; change against Jan–Sep 2025.

    Is this the same as what Koreans eat most?

    No. Import rankings leave out Korea’s own catch. A USDA report lists 12 species Koreans eat most, from mackerel and squid to anchovy and oyster. Hairtail, anchovy and oyster are missing from the import top 20.

    Korea’s coastal and offshore fleets caught 202,554 tonnes of mackerel and 31,006 tonnes of squid in 2025, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF). See also how much seafood Koreans eat and Korea’s seafood self-sufficiency.

    Look up your species in Korea’s import data

    Each HSK code has its own SEACHING page. Start with frozen peeled shrimp, Korea’s largest single seafood import (free sign-up), frozen squid import data (free sign-up), fresh Atlantic salmon import data (free sign-up) or whole frozen Alaska pollock imports (free sign-up). Origins are ranked in Korea’s seafood suppliers by country.

    Your species may sit inside one of Korea’s “other” HS codes. Look up how much of it Korea imports, from which origins and at what customs value per kg. Look up your product on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    What is the most imported fish in South Korea?

    Salmon is Korea’s most imported fish by value: US$420.2 million in Jan–Sep 2026, 79.0% of it from Norway, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Alaska pollock was second at US$266.7 million and tuna third at US$204.5 million. The salmon guide and the pollock guide cover each species.

    Which seafood has the highest import price per kg in Korea?

    Lobster had the highest customs value per kilo among Korea’s top 20 seafood import groups in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$28.14/kg, ahead of eel (US$18.35/kg) and crab (US$11.76/kg), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.

    Which country supplies most of Korea’s shrimp?

    Vietnam supplied 43.1% of Korea’s shrimp imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026, out of US$587.1 million, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. The shrimp import guide ranks the other origins.

    Sources and method

    Species groupHSK codes included
    Shrimp0306.16, 0306.17, 0306.35, 0306.36, 0306.95, 1605.21, 1605.29
    Squid and cuttlefish0307.42, 0307.43, 0307.49, 1605.54
    Salmon0302.13, 0302.14, 0303.11, 0303.12, 0303.13, 0304.41, 0304.81, 0305.41
    Crab0306.14, 0306.33, 0306.93, 1605.10
    Octopus, including webfoot and small octopus0307.51, 0307.52, 0307.59
    Alaska pollock0302.55, 0303.67, 0304.75, 0304.94, 0303.91.2010, 0305.20.4010, 0305.49.2000
    Tuna0302.31–0302.39, 0303.41–0303.49, 0304.87
    Mackerel0302.44, 0303.54, 0304.89.5000
    Surimi, other than pollock0304.93.1000, 0304.95.1000, 0304.99.1000
    Flatfish0301.99.8000, 0302.21–0302.29, 0303.31–0303.39, 0304.83
    Croaker (mineo)0303.89.9091, 0301.99.9095
    Lobster0306.11, 0306.12, 0306.15, 0306.31, 0306.32, 0306.34, 0306.91, 0306.92, 0306.94, 1605.30
    Clams, cockles and ark shells0307.71, 0307.72, 0307.79, 1605.56
    Scallop0307.21, 0307.22, 0307.29, 1605.52
    Eel0301.92, 0302.74, 0303.26, 1604.17
    Yellow croaker (jogi)0303.89.5010, 0303.89.5020, 0303.89.5090, 0305.20.4020, 0305.59.4000, 0305.69.6000
    Monkfish0303.89.9060, 0302.89.9040
    Cod0302.51, 0303.63, 0304.71, 0305.51
    Seabream0301.99.40xx, 0302.85, 0302.89.6000
    Filefish0304.89.4000, 1604.19.9010
    Groups ranked 21st–27thAtka mackerel (0303.89.9040); yellowtail (0301.99.2000, 0302.89.1000); hairtail (0302.89.2000, 0303.89.2000); rockfish (0301.99.9040, 0303.89.9050); swordfish (0302.47, 0303.57, 0304.45, 0304.54, 0304.84, 0304.91.9000); Pacific saury (0302.49.3000, 0303.59.2000, 0305.69.8000); herring (0302.41, 0303.51, 0304.86, 0305.42, 0305.61, 0305.20.4030, 1604.12)
  • How to Verify a Korean Seafood Importer Before You Ship

    How to Verify a Korean Seafood Importer Before You Ship

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

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

    Key takeaways

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

    What can you check about a Korean importer from abroad?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Many past importers have no recent record:

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

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

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

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

    What red flags should stop a shipment?

    Stop and ask questions if:

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

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

    Which payment terms reduce your risk on a first shipment?

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Check an importer’s record on SEACHING

    See who imports your product before you approve a buyer:

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

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

    FAQ

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

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

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

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

    What should I get in writing before the first container?

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

    Sources and method

  • South Korea Seafood Imports: Q3 2026 Report

    South Korea Seafood Imports: Q3 2026 Report

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

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

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

    Key takeaways

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

    How much seafood did South Korea import in Q3 2026?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Which species groups did Korea import most in Q3 2026?

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

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

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

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

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

    What stood out this quarter?

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

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

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

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

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

    How should you read these numbers?

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

    Notes on method:

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

    How can you check Q3 imports of your own product?

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

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

    FAQ

    Which country supplies the most seafood to South Korea?

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

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

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

    Sources and method

    • SEACHING, Korea Customs Service import data by 10-digit HSK code and origin, monthly, July 2025 to September 2026 and January–September of 2025 and 2026, queried October 15, 2026
    • Korea Customs Service trade statistics, source of the customs data, accessed October 15, 2026
    • Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries press release on 2025 fisheries production, February 26, 2026
    • Scope: HS chapter 03 plus HS 1603, 1604 and 1605 (516 HSK codes). Seaweed (1212), salt (2501) and non-food codes (0511, 1521, 2301) excluded.
    • Origin totals add up each origin’s code-level imports; origins with under US$100,000 of a code in the 12 months to September 2026 are counted in “All other origins”.
    • Species groups (HSK): shrimp 0306.16/17/35/36/95 and 1605.21/29; squid and cuttlefish 0307.42/43/49 and 1605.54; salmon 0302.13/14, 0303.11–13, 0304.41/81, 0305.41; long-arm octopus 0307.51.1000 and 0307.52.2000; Alaska pollock fillets, surimi and roe 0304.75, 0304.94, 0303.91.2010; webfoot octopus 0307.51.2000 and 0307.52.3000; tuna 0302.3x, 0303.4x, 0304.87; mackerel 0302.44, 0303.54, 0304.89.5000; snow crab 0306.33.2000; other frozen crab 0306.14.9090. Nineteen groups in total cover 67.0% of Q3 2026 value.
    • Unit price is customs value (CIF, US$) divided by weight (kg).
  • Why Korean Seafood Buyers Search by Species, State and Form, Not HS Code

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

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

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

    Key takeaways

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    How do Korean buyers describe a seafood product?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    What should an offer sheet for a Korean buyer include?

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

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

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

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

    Common misconceptions

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

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

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

    How SEACHING maps HS codes to the products buyers trade

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

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

    Check Korea’s imports of your product

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

    FAQ

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

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

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

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

    Do Korean buyers prefer IQF or block frozen seafood?

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

    Sources and method

  • Korea’s Seafood Self-Sufficiency: From 100% in 1995 to 57% in 2023

    Korea’s Seafood Self-Sufficiency: From 100% in 1995 to 57% in 2023

    Data as of: KREI Food Balance Sheet 2023 edition (2023 values preliminary); Korea’s imports by HS code Jan–Sep 2026, data through September 2026.

    Korea’s seafood self-sufficiency rate for fish and shellfish was 57.0% in 2023: domestic production of 1.93 million tonnes covered 57% of domestic consumption of 3.39 million tonnes, according to the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) Food Balance Sheet. The rate was 100.4% in 1995, fell to a low of 48.9% in 2019 and has risen every year since.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s fish and shellfish self-sufficiency rate was 57.0% in 2023 (preliminary), against 100.4% in 1995, according to the KREI Food Balance Sheet 2023 edition.
    • The low point was 48.9% in 2019. The rate rose in each of the four years to 2023, reaching 49.8%, 51.0%, 52.1% and 57.0% (KREI).
    • Between 2019 and 2023, Korea’s fish and shellfish production fell 3.8% while domestic consumption fell 17.5%, so the recovery came from lower consumption, not from a larger catch (KREI data).
    • Korea imported 2.28 million tonnes of fish and shellfish in 2023, equal to 67.2% of domestic consumption, and 2.4 times the 1995 volume (KREI data).

    What is Korea’s seafood self-sufficiency rate?

    It is the share of the fish and shellfish Korea consumes that Korea also produces: 57.0% in 2023. KREI compiles the Food Balance Sheet each year on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) method, with fish and shellfish figures from the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI).

    Definition. Self-sufficiency rate = domestic production ÷ domestic consumption × 100. In KREI’s Food Balance Sheet, domestic consumption is food use plus processing, feed and seed use and losses. It is a volume ratio for a whole year, not the share of Korean-caught fish on a Korean plate.

    The 2023 figures are preliminary and may be revised.

    How has the rate changed since 1995?

    Korea moved from producing more fish and shellfish than it consumed to producing about half. The rate was above 100% in five of the seven years from 1993 to 1999, peaking at 112.5% in 1998. It fell to 55.7% by 2004, recovered to 74.4% in 2011 and then slid to its low of 48.9% in 2019.

    Line chart, Korea now produces just over half the fish and shellfish it eats: Korea's fish and shellfish self-sufficiency rate, 1993–2023, from 110.7% in 1993 to a low of 48.9% in 2019 and 57.0% in 2023 (preliminary), KREI

    YearSelf-sufficiency rate (fish and shellfish)
    1995100.4%
    1998112.5%
    200087.7%
    200560.0%
    201068.1%
    201557.9%
    201948.9% (lowest)
    202049.8%
    202151.0%
    202252.1%
    202357.0% (preliminary)

    Source: KREI, Food Balance Sheet 2023 edition, annual self-sufficiency rates.

    From 1995 to 2019, Korea’s fish and shellfish production fell 24.9%, from 2.68 to 2.01 million tonnes, while consumption rose 54.2%, from 2.67 to 4.11 million tonnes. Imports nearly tripled, from 0.93 to 2.79 million tonnes.

    Why do other sources say 77%?

    They most likely measure a broader product group. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) publishes a “fishery products” self-sufficiency rate on Korea’s official indicator portal, e-Narajipyo: 77.5% for 2023 and 76.7% for 2024.

    MeasurePublisherCoversLatest value
    Fish and shellfish self-sufficiencyKREI, Food Balance SheetFish and shellfish only57.0% (2023, preliminary)
    Fishery products self-sufficiencyMOF, e-NarajipyoAll fishery products; scope not detailed on the page77.5% (2023), 76.7% (2024)
    Fishery products self-sufficiency, outlookKMIFishery products; scope not stated in the report75.3% (2026 outlook)

    Sources: KREI Food Balance Sheet 2023 edition; e-Narajipyo indicator 1317, updated October 13, 2026; KMI outlook as reported in Korea Fisheries Economy, January 2026.

    The indicator page does not list its scope, but adding seaweed (128.6% self-sufficient in 2023) to KREI’s fish and shellfish figures gives 77.4%, close to MOF’s 77.5%. This suggests, but does not confirm, that MOF counts both. For exporters of fish, crustaceans or molluscs, the 57% series is the relevant one. Cite it with its name and edition.

    Why has self-sufficiency risen since 2019?

    Because Korea consumed less, not because it caught more. From 2019 to 2023, fish and shellfish production fell 3.8%, from 2,009.7 to 1,932.7 thousand tonnes. Consumption fell 17.5%, from 4,111.9 to 3,391.9 thousand tonnes. Imports fell 18.2% over the same years.

    Per-person supply fell from 42.0 kg in 2019 to 36.0 kg in 2023 (KREI). For other per-capita figures, see Korea’s seafood consumption per capita.

    Grouped bar chart, consumption grew, then fell; production kept shrinking: Korea's fish and shellfish production, imports and domestic consumption in 1995, 2019 and 2023 in thousand tonnes, with consumption at 4,112 in 2019 and 3,392 in 2023 (preliminary), KREI

    Common misreadings of the 57% figure

    “Korea’s self-sufficiency keeps falling.” It rose every year from the 2019 low to 2023. The 2023 rate of 57.0% is lower than in the 1990s but higher than in any year from 2016 to 2022; the provisional 2024 rate is 56.2% (KREI Food Balance Sheet 2024).

    “One of the two numbers, 57% or 77%, is wrong.” Both come from official sources. They most likely cover different product groups, as shown above.

    “57% self-sufficiency means 43% of Korea’s fish is imported.” Not in volume terms. In 2023, Korea’s fish and shellfish imports equaled 67.2% of domestic consumption, because exports and stocks carried between years also enter the balance.

    Which species does Korea depend on imports for?

    Mostly the species at the top of Korean demand. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) names mackerel, squid, pollock, shrimp, flatfish, hairtail, crab, monkfish, eel, anchovy, oyster and octopus as Korea’s main species and reports that domestic supply of the top species falls short, so Korea relies on imports, mostly frozen.

    Import trends still differ by species in the same year, as three frozen product lines show for Jan–Sep 2026.

    HS codeProductJan–Sep 2025Jan–Sep 2026Volume change
    0306.17.1090Frozen peeled shrimp36,398 t, US$299.2 million38,864 t, US$313.9 million+6.8%
    0307.43.2090Frozen squid90,240 t, US$318.9 million94,336 t, US$235.3 million+4.5%
    0303.67.0000Frozen Alaska pollock94,477 t, US$101.6 million73,204 t, US$93.9 million−22.5%

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

    SEACHING monthly trend for Korea's frozen peeled shrimp imports (HS 0306171090), showing import value and unit price, October 2025 to September 2026

    On this Trends tab you can check, month by month, whether Korea’s import value and unit price for a product move together. For species detail, see the squid import guide, the pollock import guide and what seafood Korea imports most.

    What does the self-sufficiency rate mean for seafood exporters?

    A long-running gap does not mean growing import demand. Korea has produced less fish and shellfish than it consumes every year since 2000, but from 2019 to 2023 consumption fell 17.5% and imports 18.2%.

    Treat the national rate as background and your HS code as the signal: in Jan–Sep 2026, Korea’s frozen shrimp import volume rose while frozen pollock fell. For market size, see the Korea seafood market size breakdown; for the latest quarter, the Korea seafood imports report for Q3 2026.

    Check Korea’s import trend for your species

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code and month, built on Korea Customs Service data. The figures above come from these pages:

    Korea’s self-sufficiency rate tells you the gap exists; import data tells you who fills it. Look up how much of your species Korea imports, from which origins and at what customs value per kg. Look up your product on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    How much fish and shellfish does each Korean get per year?

    KREI’s Food Balance Sheet puts Korea’s fish and shellfish supply at 36.0 kg per person in 2023, down from 42.0 kg in 2019. This is supply reaching the market, not measured intake, and it excludes other aquatic products.

    Will Korea’s seafood self-sufficiency keep rising?

    No forecast for the fish and shellfish rate appears in the KREI and KMI sources checked for this article (October 2026). For the broader fishery products rate, a KMI outlook reported in January 2026 expected a fall from 77.3% in 2025 to 75.3% in 2026.

    Sources and method