MAFRA Strengthens Distribution History Management for Imported Agricultural Products... Chrysanthemums Newly Designated, Reporting Simplified

Chrysanthemums Subject to Mandatory Reporting from May
Five-Day Aggregated Reporting by Client Allowed
Definitions of Importers Also Clarified

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on April 14 that it will implement a revised notice on the management of distribution history for imported agricultural products in order to enhance transparency in the distribution of imported agricultural products and to ease regulatory burdens in the field.

This revision focuses on increasing the effectiveness of the system by expanding the scope of items subject to distribution history management, simplifying reporting procedures, and refining definitions of key terms.

First, chrysanthemums (cut flowers and fresh) have been newly designated as items subject to distribution history management, in response to recent concerns about market disruption due to increasing import volumes. For this item, the obligation to report distribution history will apply to customs-cleared shipments from May 1 onward. Accordingly, importers and distributors must report information such as buyer details, transaction volume, and transaction date within five days of the sales date for each client, using the 'Import Agricultural Product Distribution History Management System.'

The reporting method will also be simplified. Previously, reports had to be filed for each transaction whenever sales were made to restaurants, vehicle vendors, or street vendors. Going forward, however, sales volumes for each type of client can be aggregated over five-day periods and reported as a single entry. This is expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens in the field caused by repeated reporting.

The definitions of those subject to the system have also been clarified. The definition of 'importer' has been changed from those registered with the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service to those who have made import declarations to customs authorities in accordance with the Customs Act. Similarly, the definition of 'retailers' has been expanded from those who sell directly to final consumers to those whose primary business is consumer sales, clearly including vehicle vendors and street vendors.

The import agricultural product distribution history management system requires businesses that import or distribute designated items to report transaction information at each stage. Violations are subject to fines: failure to report incurs a penalty of 500,000 to 5 million won, while false reporting is penalized with fines of 1 million to 5 million won, with increased penalties for repeated violations.

To minimize confusion in the initial implementation phase, the Ministry will operate a six-month guidance period and strengthen education and publicity for importers and distributors.

Oh Jaejun, Head of the Livestock and Agricultural Product Hygiene and Quality Team at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "We will also strengthen follow-up management to enhance the effectiveness of country-of-origin labeling and establish fair market order."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.