Download Importing from Korea under the US

A Step-by-Step Guide:
Importing from Korea under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
√
Step
Additional Information/Resources
1) Learn more about the Korean
economy and companies that import
into the United States.
The Korean International Trade Association (KITA) is a government affiliated body that represents the
Korean trade industry around the world. It is a leader in advancing export strategies, trade systems and
procedures, and developing trade policies related to finance, foreign exchange, taxes and duty rates.
Learn more about KITA here.
2) Connect with American businesses in
Korea to learn more about doing
business there.
The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Korea represents the American business
community to the Korean government, Korean trade and industry associates, and U.S. government
officials. It encourages the development of investment and trade between Korea and the United States
by promoting the interests of member companies operating in Korea.
Contact AMCHAM here.
3) Connect with Korean companies that
could be potential resources and
partners.
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency is Korea’s national trade promotion organization. It
serves as a bridge between Korean companies and potential partners in the United States by matching
companies that would be mutually beneficial business partners.
Contact the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency here.
4) Gather information on regulations and
necessary
documentation
for
importing from Korea to the United
States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency responsible for regulating and facilitating
international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. trade and immigration regulations. It is
tasked with collecting all tariffs and duties paid to the United States.
5) Ensure that your products will be
shipped from the territories in Korea
covered by the U.S.-Korea Free Trade
Agreement to the United States.
The United States includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
Contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection here.
Korea includes all territories that the Republic of Korea exercises sovereign rights over.
www.uskoreaconnect.org
Last updated: March 2012
6) Identify the Harmonized System (HS)
code for the products you will be
importing.
More information on HS codes is available here.
7) Identify if the goods you will be
importing
are
eligible
for
a
preferential tariff under the U.S.-Korea
Free Trade Agreement.
Currently, no information on identifying products’ origin is available in English. For more information,
have your Korean exporter/partner check these helpful sites in Korean:
 KITA (Korea International Trade Association)
 Korea Customs Service
8) Identify the tariff rates and
preferential tariff schedule for the
goods you will be importing, based on
the identified HS codes.
For information in English, go here.
9) Prepare the certificate of eligibility/
certificate of origin.
You must prepare a certificate of eligibility/certificate of origin unless you (as the importer) are certain
that the good(s) in question is eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the FTA.
For help classifying your product, call the Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division at 1-800-549-0595.
For information in Korean, go here.
You may submit your certificate in written or electronic form. At this time, the certificate has no set
format, but an optional form is available here. At a minimum, it must include the following elements:
 The name of the certifying person, including contact or other identifying information
 The importer of the good (if known)
 The producer of the good (if known)
 The exporter of the good (if different from the producer)
 A description of the good and its tariff classification according to the Harmonized System
 Information demonstrating that the origin of the good qualifies it for preferential treatment
 The date of the certification
 The time period that the certification covers
10) If required, submit your certificate to
U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
More information on U.S. Customs and Border Protection is available here.
11) Save your records for possible future
verification.
Anyone claiming preferential tariff treatment is required to keep a copy of the information used to make
the claim for at least five years after the date of the claim. Records must include:
 The purchase of, cost of, value of and payment for the exported good
 The purchase of, cost of, value of and payment for all materials used in the production of the
exported good
 The production of the good in the form in which it was exported
 Other documentation required by the Korean or U.S. customs agencies
www.uskoreaconnect.org
Last updated: March 2012