Export Requirements for the Republic of Korea

KS-213 (Apr 3, 2020)

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Eligible/Ineligible Products

A.     Eligible product

1.     Beef or beef products derived from (1) cattle born and raised in the United States, (2) cattle imported into the United States, for example from Canada, and raised in the United States for at least 100 days prior to slaughter, or (3) cattle legally imported into the United States from a country deemed eligible by the Korean government to export beef or beef products to Korea. Presently limited to Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.

2.        Korean beef importers and U.S. exporters have reached a commercial understanding that, as a transitional measure, only U.S. beef from cattle less than 30-months of age will be shipped to Korea. AMS has set up a voluntary Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program to verify that beef from participating plants will be from cattle less than 30 months of age. Information regarding USDA Bovine Export Verification (EV) Programs can be found at the AMS Web site and information regarding the AMS QSA LT30 Age Verification Programs can be found at the AMS Web site. Eligible beef and beef products must be produced under an approved AMS EV program for beef to Korea. At this time, Korea will not accept at port-of-entry shipments of beef without the QSA program statement in the Remarks section of the FSIS 9060-5 as described in the Documentation section, and Korean quarantine officials will return shipments without the statement to the owner/agent of the product. A list of QSA approved establishments and their approval dates can be obtained from the AMS Web site.

Eligible beef and beef products, including bone-in beef, deboned beef, offal, and variety meats must be derived from animals slaughtered on or after the QSA program approval date of the slaughter establishment. Beef and beef product derived from certain categories of cattle imported from Canada, imported beef and beef products, and processed beef products are ineligible. See B. Ineligible Products.

Note: Exporters interested in shipping eligible small intestine to Korea are advised to contact USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service office at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul at agseoul@fas.usda.gov before preparing a shipment, as these products may experience difficulty clearing quarantine inspection.

Each establishment that participates in the AMS EV Program for beef to Korea is required to maintain a unique product identification system, which can be accessed by authorized FSIS inspection personnel on Partner Web via the FSIS' Intranet.

If FSIS inspection personnel become aware of concerns that a USDA approved EV establishment is not properly executing its EV program, export certification should not be issued for the product in question and AMS should be notified at QAD.AuditService@ams.usda.gov. Inspection personnel should include their immediate supervisor on messages to AMS. The following information should be included in the message:

·         Establishment name, address, and establishment number

·         Product type, product code, and quantity of product

·         Date of production, lot number, and shift

·         Date and nature of observation

·         Name of country product is intended for export

·         Export certificate number (if applicable)

·         Any other information to verify claim

·         Name of inspection official

3.     Deboned beef derived from cattle less than 30 months of age that was processed at eligible establishments before October 5, 2007 are eligible. The beef is to have been produced according to the AMS EV program in place at the time of production. A list of eligible establishments and their specific periods of eligibility are available at AMS' Web site.

4.     Heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products slaughtered and processed on or after January 1, 2015 but prior to January 1, 2016 that is sourced from birds hatched and raised in the United States or legally imported into the United States are eligible. Heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products slaughtered and processed on or after January 1, 2016 and sourced from birds hatched and raised in the United States are eligible except as indicated in the ineligible section.

5.     Poultry meat and poultry meat products sourced from birds hatched and raised in the United States.

a.      Heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products sourced from birds hatched and raised in the United States and slaughtered and processed on or after January 1, 2016 are eligible except as indicated in the ineligible section.

b.     Non-heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products sourced from birds hatched and raised in the United States and slaughtered and processed on or after November 19, 2015 are eligible except as indicated in the Ineligible product section.

c.     USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has set up a voluntary Poultry Export Verification (EV) Program for Korea to verify that poultry meat and poultry meat products were sourced from birds, other than commercially raised chickens, ducks and geese, which were hatched and raised in the United States. Certification that commercially raised chickens, ducks, and geese are hatched and raised in the United States can be made based upon assurances provided by the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS); therefore, commercially raised chickens, ducks, and geese are exempt from participating in the Poultry EV Program. Exporting establishments that slaughter and process birds, other than commercially raised chickens, ducks and geese, must participate in the Poultry EV Program in order to export poultry meat and poultry meat products to Korea. Information about the Poultry EV Program and a list of Poultry EV approved establishments and their approval dates can be found at the AMS website. Each establishment that participates in the Poultry EV Program for Korea is required to maintain a unique product identification system, which can be accessed by authorized FSIS inspection personnel on Partner Web via the FSIS Intranet.

d.     If FSIS inspection personnel become aware of concerns that an approved Poultry EV establishment is not properly executing its Poultry EV program, export certification should not be issued for the product in question and AMS should be notified at QAD.AuditService@ams.usda.gov. Inspection personnel should include their immediate supervisor on messages to AMS. The following information should be included in the message:

              i.        Establishment name, address, and establishment number

             ii.        Product type, product code, and quantity of product

             iii.        Date of production, lot number, and shift

            iv.        Date and nature of observation

             v.        Name of country product is intended for export

            vi.        Export certificate number (if applicable)

           vii.        Any other information to verify claim

           viii.        Name of inspection official

6.     Pork products- Please see section below - Plants Not Eligible to Export.

7.     Nongravid pork uteri from gilts and unscalded stomachs and intestines may be exported as edible product.

8.     Pork Casings

9.     Pork Bones

Note: Exporters should work closely with importers to assure that bones comply with any classification requirements of Korean Customs.

10.   Protein-free tallow (see Documentation Requirements below).

Note: Beef tallow does not require an EV Program.

B.     Ineligible product

1.     Beef and beef products derived from cattle imported from Canada for immediate slaughter are ineligible.

2.     Beef and beef products derived from cattle imported from Canada that were resident in the U.S. less than 100 days prior to slaughter are ineligible.

3.     Imported beef and beef products are not eligible for direct export or for export after processing in the U.S.

4.     Processed beef products (e.g., any product that has added ingredients) are ineligible at this time.

5.     Other ruminant and ruminant products other than those identified in A. are ineligible for export.

6.     Imported meat and poultry and meat and poultry products (including natural and collagen casings) are not eligible for direct export or for export after processing in the U.S.

7.     Equine meat.

8.     Non-heat-treated poultry meat and poultry meat products are ineligible if:

 .      Sourced from birds slaughtered and processed prior to August 16, 2017

a.     California

§  Sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zones slaughtered on or after December 14, 2018 (see reference map for applicable dates and zones) and before February 24, 2020.

§  Slaughtered on or after September 8, 2018, but prior to July 29, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Stanislaus County, CA.

§  Slaughtered on or after April 20, 2019, but prior to September 18th, 2019, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Monterey County, CA.

§  Slaughtered on or after June 27, 2019, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Merced County, CA.

b.     Connecticut

§  Slaughtered on or after March 29, 2019, but prior to July 6, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Fairfield County, CT.

c.     Minnesota

§  Slaughtered on or after October 20, 2018, but prior to April 30, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Kandiyohi County, MN.

§  Slaughtered on or after October 31, 2018, but prior to April 30, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Stearns County, MN.

d.     Missouri

§  Slaughtered on or after March 3, 2018, but prior to July 30, 2018, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Jasper County, MO.

§  Slaughtered on or after March 15, 2018, but prior to August 21, 2018, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Webster County, MO and Wright County, MO.

e.     North Carolina

§  Slaughtered on or after March 12, 2020, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Anson and Union Counties, NC (see map for applicable dates and zones).*

f.      Pennsylvania

§  Slaughtered on or after March 14, 2019, but prior to August 8, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Lancaster County, PA.

g.     South Carolina

0.     Slaughtered on or after March 17, 2020, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Chesterfield County, SC.

h.     Texas

§  Slaughtered on or after March 7, 2018, but prior to June 21, 2018, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Hopkins County, TX.

9.     Non-heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products sourced from birds hatched and/or raised outside the United States are ineligible.

10.   Heat-treated poultry meat and poultry meat products slaughtered and processed on or after January 1, 2016 sourced from birds hatched and/or raised outside the United States are ineligible.

11.   Heat-treated poultry meat and poultry meat products are ineligible if:

 .      Alabama

·         Slaughtered in Jackson County, AL on or after March 12, 2017, but prior to June 14, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

·         Slaughtered in Lauderdale County, AL on or after March 14, 2017, but prior to June 20, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

·         Slaughtered in Pickens County, AL on or after March 16, 2017, but prior to July 12, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

·         Slaughtered in Madison County, AL on or after March 17, 2017, but prior to June 19, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

·         Slaughtered in Cullman County, AL on or after March 21, 2017, but prior to July 18, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

a.     California

·         Slaughtered on or after September 8, 2018, but prior to July 29, 2019 sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Stanislaus County, CA.

·         Sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zones slaughtered on or after December 14, 2018 (see reference map for applicable dates and zones) and before February 24, 2020.

·         Slaughtered on or after April 20, 2019, but prior to September 18th, 2019, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Monterey County, CA.

·         Slaughtered on or after June 27, 2019, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Merced County, CA.

b.     Connecticut

·         Saughtered on or after March 29, 2019, but prior to July 6, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Fairfield County, CT.

c.     Georgia

·         Slaughtered in Chattooga County, GA on or after March 25, 2017, but prior to July 20, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

d.     Kentucky

·         Slaughtered in Christian County, KY on or after March 17, 2017, but prior to August 24, 2017, sourced from birds from the zones shown on the attached map.

e.     Minnesota

·         Slaughtered on or after October 20, 2018, but prior to April 30, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Kandiyohi County, MN.

·         Slaughtered on or after October 31, 2018, but prior to April 30, 2019, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Stearns County, MN.

f.      Missouri

·         Slaughtered on or after May 1, 2016 but prior to August 9, 2016, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

·         Slaughtered on or after March 3, 2018, but prior to July 30, 2018, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Jasper County, MO.

·         Slaughtered on or after March 15, 2018, but prior to August 21, 2018, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Webster County, MO and Wright County, MO.

g.     New Jersey – slaughtered on or after July 2, 2016 but prior to October 10, 2016, sourced from birds from the zones shown on the attached map.

h.     New York – slaughtered on or after June 30, 2016 but prior to October 6, 2016, sourced from birds from the zones shown on the attached map.

i.      North Carolina

·         Slaughtered on or after March 12, 2020, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Anson and Union Counties, NC (see map for applicable dates and zones).*

j.      Pennsylvania

·         Slaughtered on or after June 29, 2016 but prior to September 28, 2016, sourced from birds from zones shown on the attached map in Philadelphia (and Montgomery) County, PA;

·         Slaughtered on or after March 14, 2019, but prior to August 8, 2019, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Lancaster County, PA.

k.     South Carolina

0.     Slaughtered on or after March 17, 2020, sourced from birds from the 10km radius ineligible zone shown on the attached map in Chesterfield County, SC.

l.      Tennessee (and Alabama due to coverage of ineligible zone) –

·         Slaughtered in Lincoln County, TN on or after March 4, 2017, but prior to August 16, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

·         Slaughtered in Giles County, TN on or after March 8, 2017, but prior to July 2, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

m.    Texas - Slaughtered on or after March 7, 2018, but prior to June 21, 2018, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map in Hopkins County, TX.

n.     Wisconsin – slaughtered on or after March 4, 2017, but prior to August 22, 2017, sourced from birds from the zone shown on the attached map.

Poultry Processing Requirements

A.     Poultry meat and poultry meat products eligible for export to Korea must be handled in a manner that ensures that they are not commingled with imported poultry meat or poultry meat products. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has set up a voluntary Poultry Export Verification (EV) Program for Korea to verify that poultry meat and poultry meat products eligible for export to Korea are not commingled with imported poultry meat and poultry meat products. Exporting establishments that receive and process imported poultry meat or poultry meat products must participate in the Poultry EV Program to be eligible to export poultry to Korea. Information about the Poultry EV Program and a list of Poultry EV approved establishments and their approval dates can be found at the AMS website. Each establishment that participates in the Poultry EV Program for Korea is required to maintain a unique product identification system, which can be accessed by authorized FSIS inspection personnel on Partner Web via the FSIS Intranet. Establishments that exclusively process domestic poultry meat and poultry meat products are exempt from participating in the Poultry EV Program.

1.     Non-heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products that are indicated as eligible above are required to be handled in a manner that ensures that they are not commingled with imported poultry meat or poultry meat products.

2.     Heat-treated poultry meat and poultry meat products that are indicated as eligible above are required to be handled in a manner that ensures that they are not commingled with imported poultry meat or poultry meat products.

3.     If FSIS inspection personnel become aware of concerns that an approved Poultry EV establishment is not properly executing its Poultry EV program, export certification should not be issued for the product in question and AMS should be notified at QAD.AuditService@ams.usda.gov. Inspection personnel should include their immediate supervisor on messages to AMS. The following information should be included in the message:

a.     Establishment name, address, and establishment number

b.     Product type, product code, and quantity of product

c.     Date of production, lot number, and shift

d.     Date and nature of observation

e.     Name of country product is intended for export

f.      Export certificate number (if applicable)

g.     Any other information to verify claim

h.     Name of inspection official

Labeling Requirements

A.     The country of origin must be indicated on the outside carton for all products. Meat products with multiple country origins on the label are prohibited and will cause the product to be rejected.

B.     Labels applied to Porterhouse steaks and T-bone steaks that are to be exported to Korea are to include a statement that these cuts are from animals less than 30 months of age.

C.    Product labeling that shows a country of destination other than Korea or is marked with Korea and a third country will cause the product to be rejected effective March 1, 2010.

Documentation Requirements

The following information is provided for the exporter: Effective August 4, 2016, the Republic of Korea has requested that the original copy of FSIS Form 9060 series be presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and the quadruplicate copy of FSIS Form 9060 series be presented to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). If FSIS Form 9060-5A is used, a duplicate copy should be provided. The certifying official should sign both original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 9060-5A.

All FSIS export certificates accompanying product must be signed by an FSIS veterinarian. The veterinary degree (DVM or equivalent) must be indicated after the signature.

Exporter Note: Korean regulatory authorities will not accept product if the original certificate was endorsed by the veterinarian after the consignment has arrived in Korea

A.     Certification Requirement

1.     The Republic of Korea Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has informed FSIS that when completing FSIS Form 9060-5, products should be separately identified by weight and box count for each producing establishment.

2.     Beef and beef products from eligible establishments and as set out above with slaughter dates on or after the establishment's QSA program approval date:

a.     Obtain FSIS 9060-5, Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness.

Note: Korean beef importers and U.S. exporters have reached a commercial understanding that only U.S. beef from cattle under 30-months of age will be shipped to Korea at this time, as a transitional measure. AMS has set up a voluntary Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program to verify that beef from participating plants will be from cattle less than 30 months of age. Exporting establishments may choose to participate in the AMS Quality Systems Assessment (QSA) program that verifies the beef being certified is from cattle less than 30 months of age. Participation in this program is not required for issuance of the FSIS 9060-5. However, for establishments that do participate in the AMS QSA program, the following statement may appear in Remarks on the FSIS8 9060-5: "The beef or beef products were produced at a verified establishment under the USDA Less than 30 Month Age Verification USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program for Korea." A list of QSA approved establishments can be obtained from the AMS Web site.

Warning: Exporters are hereby warned that shipments of beef without the QSA program statement referenced above will not be accepted for port-of-entry inspection in Korea at this time, and any such shipment will be returned to the owner/agent by Korean quarantine officials.

b.     Obtain FSIS Form 9305-7 (07/08/2008) Certificate for Export of Beef and Beef Products to the Republic of Korea. Container number and seal number (not a USDA seal) should be provided on FSIS Form 9305-7 when presented to an FSIS veterinarian for signature. The certifying official should sign both the original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 9305-7.

1.     The following information is provided for the exporter: Effective August 4, 2016 the Republic of Korea has requested that the original copy of FSIS Form 9305-7 be presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA  and the duplicate copy of FSIS Form 9305-7 be presented to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

c.     For this product, AMS will no longer provide a SOV letter, and such a letter is not required to issue the certificate.

3.     Pork and pork products

a.     Obtain FSIS Form 9060-5, Meat and Poultry Certificate of Wholesomeness.

b.     Obtain FSIS Form 9305-5 (04/17/2013), Certificate for the Export of Pork Meat to the Republic of Korea. See Guideline for Completion of FSIS Form 9305-5. The certifying official should sign both the original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 9305-5.

1.     The following information is provided for the exporter: Effective August 4, 2016 the Republic of Korea has requested that the original copy of FSIS Form 9305-5 be presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and the duplicate copy of FSIS Form 9305-5 be presented to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

Note: FSIS Form 9305-5 contains a block at the bottom of the form to be completed by the exporter or shipper in which is entered information such as shipping port, name of vessel, container number and seal number (not a USDA seal). The FSIS veterinarian may sign the certificate without this block completed and the exporter is responsible for its accuracy.

Also, concerning the residue statement on this form, this statement can be made based upon the FSIS National Residue Program (NRP), including the developmental stages of each year's NRP. The development includes an evaluation of all potential chemicals that are hazardous to public health that might be associated with meat and poultry products. Even though all compounds are not ultimately selected for testing, they are all considered during the process of identifying and evaluating compounds of concern. Those compounds not included in the testing portion of the NRP are considered not to be a significant risk of causing harmful residues. Information about the NRP is routinely provided to officials in receiving countries.

4.     All U.S. meat packages mailed or hand-carried to Republic of Korea must be accompanied with FSIS Form 9060-5 and the appropriate 9305 form as outlined above.

5.     Non-heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products sourced from birds hatched and raised in the United States that are indicated as eligible above.

a.     Obtain FSIS Form 9060-5, Meat and Poultry Certificate of Wholesomeness.

b.     For non-heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products that are indicated as eligible above, obtain FSIS Form 9305-2A (10/01/2018 edition), Certificate for Export of Poultry Meat to the Republic of Korea. The certifying official should sign both the original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 9305-2A.

              i.        The name of the shipping port, name of vessel (or flight number), shipping date, container number, seal number, name and address of exporter/ shipper, and name and address of consignee should be identified on FSIS form 9305-2A in the section that is to be completed by the exporter/shipper. All refrigerated export containers of raw poultry must be sealed.

             ii.        FSIS Form 9305-2A requires that the following information be provided: Est./Plant No., Name and Address of the Slaughterhouse(s), Est./Plant No., Name and Address of Processing Plant, Est. No., Name and Address of Cold Storage, Packing or Processing Dates, Place Where Certificate was Issued, and Slaughter Dates. If the space provided on FSIS Form 9305-2A is not sufficient to list the required information, the words "SEE ATTACHED" can be entered into the form in the blocks requiring this information, and the requested information then be provided on FSIS Form 2630-9, Continuation sheet to provide supplemental information for FSIS Form 9305-2A. The certifying official should sign both the original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 2630-9, Continuation Sheet.

             iii.        The following information is provided for the exporter: Effective August 4, 2016, the Republic of Korea has requested that the original copy of FSIS Form 9305-2A and FSIS Form 2630, Continuation Sheet, when applicable, be presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and the duplicate copy of FSIS Form 9305-2A and FSIS Form 2630, Continuation Sheet, when applicable, be presented to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

6.     For heat treated poultry meat and poultry meat products shipped on or after January 1, 2016, obtain FSIS Form 9305-2B (12/29/2015 edition), Certificate for Export of Heat Treated Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat Products to the Republic of Korea (ROK). The certifying official should sign both the original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 9305-2B.

        i.        The name of the shipping port, name of vessel (or flight number), shipping date, container number, seal number, name and address of exporter/ shipper, and name and address of consignee should be identified on FSIS form 9305-2B in the section that is to be completed by the exporter/shipper. All refrigerated export containers of raw poultry must be sealed.

       ii.        FSIS Form 9305-2B requires that the following information be provided: Est./ Plant No., Name and Address of the Slaughterhouse(s), Est./ Plant No., Name and Address of Processing Plant, Est. No., Name and Address of Cold Storage, Packing or Processing Dates, Place Where Certificate was Issued, and Slaughter Dates. If the space provided on FSIS Form 9305-2B is not sufficient to list the required information, the words "SEE ATTACHED" can be entered into the form in the blocks requiring this information, and the requested information then be provided on FSIS Form 9630-9, Continuation sheet to provide supplemental information for FSIS Form 9305-2B. The certifying official should sign both the original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 2630-9, Continuation Sheet.

       iii.        The following information is provided for the exporter: Effective August 4, 2016, the Republic of Korea has requested that the original copy of FSIS Form 9305-2B and FSIS Form 2630, Continuation Sheet, when applicable, be presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and the duplicate copy of FSIS Form 9305-2B and FSIS Form 2630, Continuation Sheet, when applicable, be presented to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

      iv.        Canned poultry and poultry products - the following statement must be included in the "Remarks" section of the 9060-5 certificate:

"The canned poultry meat and poultry meat products were heat processed to a core temperature of 120 degrees Celsius for at least 4 minutes or an equivalent treatment."

B.     If the product contains meat from multiple species, the appropriate FSIS 9305 series certificate for each species should be provided in addition to FSIS Form 9060-5.

C.    FSIS Form 9060-5 shall include the species of livestock from which the product was derived. If not already part of the product name, this information should be placed in parentheses immediately preceding the name of the product in the "PRODUCT AS LABELED" column.

D.    The Republic of Korea requires that the state of refrigeration at the time of certification be indicated in the "PRODUCT AS LABELED" block of FSIS Form 9060-5. For example, a product labeled as "pork belly" must be entered as "pork belly (frozen)" when the product is shipped frozen. The term frozen may be entered in the block if the product is frozen at the time of export inspection even if "frozen" is not part of the product name. Should fresh product be shipped, (e.g. air shipment) the term "chilled" would be used.

E.     FSIS Form 9305 series certificates are not required for shipments to the U.S. military in Korea.

F.     Inedible Products - Export certification of inedible products, other than technical animal fat (9 CFR 351) and certified pet food (9 CFR 355), is no longer provided by FSIS. Exporters should contact APHIS field offices to obtain information about certification of inedible products. A list of APHIS offices is available at APHIS' Web site

G.    Pork Casings -- Obtain FSIS Form 9060-7 and FSIS Form 9305-9 (03/19/2018). The following information must be entered in the appropriate blocks of FSIS Form 9305-9: the name, address, and establishment number of the casing processing plant and cold storage if applicable. The certifying official should sign both the original and duplicate copies of FSIS Form 9305-9.

Notes:

1.     The following information is provided for the exporter: Effective August 4, 2016, the Republic of Korea has requested that the original copy of FSIS Form 9305-9 be presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and the duplicate copy of FSIS Form 9305-9 be presented to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

2.     Only pork casings from animals slaughtered in the United States and processed in the United States are eligible for export to Korea. The animals must have been born and raised in the United States or legally imported from Canada and residing in the United States for at least 3 months.

H.    Protein-Free Tallow -- Obtain FSIS Form 9060-5 if the product bears the U.S. mark of inspection. The following certification statement must be included in the "Remarks" section:

"Certified materials have been tested, and found to have a level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% or less."

This certification statement will be included on the export certificate based on the presentation of a certificate issued by an independent laboratory.

See paragraph 8. above regarding certification of inedible tallow.

I.      Pork exported to Korea for further processing and subsequently exported to Japan - Upon the request of the exporter, the following information must be provided either in the "Remarks" section of FSIS Form 9060-5 or on an FSIS letterhead certificate (which is signed by the same FSIS veterinarian signing the export certificate):

a.     Statements for pork intended for re-export to Japan:

"The meat and/or meat products described herein were processed under sanitary conditions in accordance with laws and regulations of the United States. The laws and regulations of the United States have been deemed to be equivalent to the inspection laws of Japan."

"The USA is free of hog cholera; vaccination against hog cholera is prohibited; and importation of pigs vaccinated against hog cholera is prohibited."

Name, address, and establishment number of the slaughter (If product is quarter, half, or whole carcass) or processing plant (if packaged product).

"Date (Month/Year) of slaughter and inspection", if product is quarter, half, or whole carcass or "Date (Month/Year) of Manufacture" if cuts or processed products, i.e., Pack Date.

Note: This procedure does not apply to beef.

Other Requirements

A.     Ready-to-eat products, regardless of the origin or type of product, are required to have negative test results for coliforms. These lab results are not required prior to certification for export; however, the exporter should be aware that the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs in the Republic of Korea reserves the right to test shipments. Products that have positive test results will be rejected.

B.     Chemical Residue Limits. U.S. meat products may be rejected due to inconsistencies between U.S. and Korean standards for residues in meat products. Specific information regarding Korea's residue limits can be obtained from importexport@fsis.usda.gov.

C.    Use of tenderizers and irradiation. Korea has specific requirements when tenderizers and irradiation are used in the production of beef and beef products. Beef and beef products produced using these processes that do not meet Korea requirements will be rejected. Poultry meat and poultry meat products cannot be treated with ionizing, ultraviolet rays, tenderizers, or other products likely to alter its nature or components.

D.    ROK requires kidneys to be removed from all poultry carcasses. An exception to this requirement allows for kidneys to remain in broiler carcasses. Additionally, ROK does not allow the importation of giblets with whole carcasses.

E.     Military Shipments. Shipments of meat destined solely for distribution to the U.S. military are not required to meet Republic of Korea standards. Military shipments are not exempt from animal health requirements, including AI restrictions, for exports to Korea.

F.     Ship Stores. For meat and poultry products exported to ship stores, the same export certificates must accompany the product as are required by the Republic of Korea. The only exception is when the container is off-loaded directly to a bonded yard and picked up at the yard by the cruise ship without entering quarantine areas (ship to ship). If the exporter indicates in Block 14 of FSIS 9060-6, Application for Export Certificate, that the product will meet this requirement, product is not required to meet Korea requirements and FSIS can issue basic export certification (FSIS Form 9060-5 with "Ships Stores" in the Remarks).

G.    Samples and products intended for personal consumption must meet all Republic of Korea standards, including the AMS QSA program requirement for beef. They must also be accompanied by the same export certificates applicable to the product as required by Korea and described in the “Documentation Requirements” section.

H.    Products containing both meat or poultry and processed egg ingredients, bearing the USDA mark of inspection, must be produced under the USDA AMS Further Processed Egg Products Verification (PEEPEV) program. In addition to all applicable FSIS export certificates required to accompany the meat or poultry product exported to the Republic of Korea, exporters must obtain AMS Form LPS-234 for the egg ingredient in the product. Please contact AMS at EV.Export@usda.gov for more information.

Plants Eligible to Export

Federally inspected establishments producing beef and beef products intended for export to Korea need to participate in the AMS EV program and be listed on the "Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers for USDA Bovine EV Program." Inspection program personnel can access the list at AMS' Website.  

Approved slaughter/processing facilities are responsible for designating cold storage locations for their exports to Korea. The List of Designated Cold Storage Facilities can be accessed by authorized FSIS inspection personnel on the Partner Web via the FSIS Intranet.

All other meat and poultry products eligible for export to Korea can originate from any federally inspected establishment.

Note: Korea compares both the exporting and producing plant information entered on the export certificate to the listing in the FSIS Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Directory. If the establishment is not listed in the directory or if any information about the plant (i.e., company name, address, or type of operation code following the establishment number in the directory) is different from that published in the directory, product may be detained. Contact Import Export Coordination and Policy Development Staff (IECPDS) (Phone (202) 720-0082 or (855) 444-9904, Fax (202) 720-7990 or importexport@fsis.usda.gov for assistance.

Plants Suspended for Export

Note: For establishments exporting products containing poultry from the establishments listed below, these products are ineligible for export if the poultry is processed on or after the date of the suspension.

Est. P56, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp, Timberville, VA. Products loaded on or after January 24, 2017 are not eligible for export.

Est P7927 Amick Farms, LLC 274 Nealson St. Hurlock MD. Products loaded on or after March 27, 2018 are not eligible for export.

Est P3, Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Inc., 29005 John J Williams Highway, Millsboro, DE. Products loaded on or after April 3, 2018 are not eligible for export.

Est P7470, Mountaire Farms Inc. – NC Division, 17269 NC Highway 71 North, Lumber Bridge, NC. Products loaded on or after April 20, 2018 are not eligible for export.

Est P32 Mar-Jac Poultry, Inc., 1020 Aviation Blvd, Gainesville, GA. Products loaded on or after April 24, 2018 are not eligible for export.

Est P17980 Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 2050 Highway 15 South, Sumter, SC. Products loaded on or after April 24, 2018 are not eligible for export.

Est P18285 Perdue Foods LLC., 2047 Highway 9 West, Dillon, SC. Products loaded on or after April 26, 2018 are not eligible for export.

Est P19128 Case Farms of North Carolina, Inc., 330 Pecan Road, Dudley, NC. Products loaded on or after April 26, 2018 are not eligible for export.

The following establishment has been temporarily suspended from all USDA Bovine Export Verification (EV) and AMS Quality Systems Assessment (QSA) Programs:

Est 7041B Beltex Corporation dba Frontier Meats, Inc., 3801 North Grove Street, Fort Worth, TX. Products derived from cattle slaughtered on or after September 12, 2019 are not eligible for export.

Est 267 JBS Tolleson Inc., 651 S. 91st Ave., Tolleson, AZ. Products loaded on or after November 19, 2019 are not eligible for export.

Plants Relisted for Export

Est. 628, Swift Beef Company, Hyrum, UT. Relisted for export of eligible products from cattle slaughtered on or after October 21, 2016. Products derived from cattle slaughtered before October 21, 2016 are not eligible.

Est. 1957, Chicago Meat Authority, Chicago, IL. Relisted for export of eligible products from cattle slaughtered on or after October 24, 2016. Products derived from cattle slaughtered before October 24, 2016  are not eligible.

Est. 3D, Swift Beef Company, Cactus, TX. Relisted for export of eligible products from cattle slaughtered on or after December 23, 2013. Products derived from cattle slaughtered before December 23, 2013 are not eligible.

Est. 86R, Cargill Meat Solutions, Ft. Morgan, CO.  Relisted for export of eligible products from cattle slaughtered before August 7, 2014 and on or after September 17 2014.  Products derived from cattle slaughtered on or after August 7, 2014, and before September 17, 2014, are not eligible.

Est. 3039, International Casing Group, 4420 S. Wolcott Ave., Chicago, IL.  Relisted for export of pork casings processed on or after February 3, 2015.

Est. 27254, Dewied International, 5010 East IH-10, San Antonio, TX.  Relisted for export of pork casings processed on or after February 3, 2015.

Est. M969, Swift Beef Company, Greely, CO,  Relisted for export of eligible beef products slaughtered and processed on or after August 3, 2017.