Importing Food Containing Pork from African Swine Fever (ASF) Affected Countries: Mandatory Documentation and Guidelines Released

Due to the rapid global spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) across Asia, Europe, and Africa, South Korea has implemented exceptionally strict quarantine and declaration procedures for food products imported from ASF-affected regions. According to Article 27 of the Enforcement Rules of the Special Act on Safety Control of Imported Food and relevant public notices, importers of processed foods containing pork must provide official certification to prove safety and prevent the influx of the virus into the domestic livestock industry.

Scope of Applicable Products and Countries

It is essential to clarify the scope of products subject to these requirements. The regulations apply to all imported food products that use pork as a raw material and are produced, manufactured, or processed in any of the 54 countries designated as ASF-affected. However, certain items deemed to have a low risk of virus transmission or where the virus is likely inactivated during processing are exempt from these document requirements:

• Gelatin
• Lard (Pork Fat)
• Synthetic Flavors

Please note that animal products governed by the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act undergo separate quarantine procedures. The documents described here primarily apply to general processed foods such as snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and sauces.

Mandatory Proof of Safety (Select One)

Importers must prepare one of the following original documents. While only one is required for import declaration, each must strictly adhere to specific issuance and content standards:

• 1. Heat Treatment Certificate: Issued by the exporting country's government authority, certifying that the pork ingredients reached a core temperature of 70°C for at least 30 minutes (or an equivalent/superior thermal process). This is the most common document used to prove virus inactivation.
• 2. ASF Test Report: An analytical report issued by the exporting government or a government-recognized laboratory. It must state that the final product sample tested Negative for the ASF virus.
• 3. ASF FREE Certificate: An official document from the exporting government confirming that only healthy pigs with no risk of ASF infection were used as raw materials in the manufacturing and processing of the product.

Submission Procedures and Compliance Risks

The 54 designated ASF-affected countries currently include various nations across Asia (e.g., China, Vietnam, Mongolia), Europe (e.g., Russia, Poland, Hungary), and Africa. If the food is manufactured in these regions, regardless of the percentage of pork content, the required documentation must be submitted through the 'Food Safety Korea' (Imported Food Information) system according to pre-announced standards.

Key compliance points to remember:

• Original Documents Only: Photocopies are generally not accepted; the original certificate issued by the relevant government agency (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture) is required.
• Information Consistency: The product name and manufacturer details on the certificate must exactly match the information on the import declaration.
• Strict Enforcement: Inadequate or missing documentation will result in denial of customs clearance, leading to the cargo being returned or destroyed.

We strongly recommend consulting with a Customs Broker or relevant authorities to review the adequacy of your documentation before shipment.