South Korea Customs Regulations on the Import of Masks

Korea was one of the stricter destinations in 2020: MFDS approvals for commercial imports and a 100-piece limit for individuals.

Overview

South Korean customs applied clear requirements to mask imports from China. Shippers who did not understand the documents and regulations risked having their goods seized and returned to China — at their own cost.

Required documents

• Bill of lading (not required for international express)
• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Business license of the Korean importer

Requirements by importer type

Company, for employee self-use or donation

Before import, the recipient applied for a recommendation letter (exemption approval) from Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

Company, for resale

The importer had to obtain an import license from the Korean MFDS before shipping. After the goods arrived at the Korean port, a pre-declaration had to be lodged with the relevant Korean medical products industry association before customs declaration could proceed.

Individual

Individuals could import fewer than 100 pieces (value unrestricted) without any approval.

Practical consequences

• Personal imports were limited to small self-use quantities — up to 100 masks — without detention risk.
• Commercial volumes could only be imported by companies already licensed for pharmaceutical import and export; companies without that qualification could not import masks at that time.
• Individuals and social organizations could donate through the corresponding agencies, for which customs opened dedicated channels outside the restrictions above.
• China imposed no ban on mask exports to South Korea; normal trade declarations were accepted.