Request a Certificate of Origin from your Korean supplier

To claim KORUS preferential duty rates, your Korean supplier must provide a Certificate of Origin confirming the product meets KORUS rules of origin. This document is submitted at US customs entry.

Note: Not all Korean products qualify — products must meet rules of origin requirements (substantial transformation in Korea).

Your customs broker files for KORUS preference at entry

Your licensed US Customs Broker includes the KORUS preference claim in the CBP entry documentation. The broker classifies under the correct HTS code and applies the applicable 0% or reduced duty rate.

Savings example: Standard US tariff on cosmetics is 0–6.5%. Under KORUS, most Korean cosmetics enter at 0%. On a $100,000 shipment, that's up to $6,500 in duty savings.

Verify your supplier's FDA Establishment Registration

Any facility manufacturing food, cosmetics, supplements, or medical devices for US consumption must be registered with FDA. Verify at accessdata.fda.gov — search by facility name or registration number.

If not registered: The supplier must register before your first shipment. This is non-negotiable for FDA-regulated products.

Submit Prior Notice for food shipments

For all food products, Prior Notice must be submitted to FDA before the shipment arrives at a US port. Submit at pnsi.fda.hhs.gov. Required under the Bioterrorism Act. Failure to submit Prior Notice can result in detention or refusal of entry.

Ensure US-compliant labeling before shipment

All products must carry US-compliant labels at point of entry. For food: Nutrition Facts panel, ingredient list, allergen declarations in English. For cosmetics: INCI ingredient list, net weight, manufacturer/distributor name and address.