• Quality Control
  • Place of Origin Labeling System

Place of Origin Labeling System

What is the fishery product origin labeling system?

What is the management system for imported seafood distribution history?
  • A system to protect producers and consumers by ensuring consumers' right to know and encouraging fair trade by requiring appropriate and reasonable labeling of origin for fishery products and its processed products.
Legal basis
  • Article 5.1 of Origin Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products Act (effective 2022.01.01)
  • Labeling instructions for agricultural and fishery products (Notification 2023-20 of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), effective 2023.02.02)
Target items
  • All fishery products and their processed products (excluding non-edible) that are processed, distributed, and sold
  • Instructions for indicating the country of origin of agricultural and fishery products (MOF Notice) [Attached Table 2]
    • 322 Items: 225 domestic/offshore fishery product, 73 processed fishery products, 24 imported fishery products
    • Salt: Included in the country of origin labeling (effective 2011.2.11)
Labeling obligor
  • Producers and processors of fishery products and fishery processed products
  • Seller of processed and unprocessed fishery products at department store, discount marts, wholesale market and traditional market
  • Seller of processed and unprocessed fishery products through TV home shopping, the internet, newspapers, or delivery apps
  • Producers, distributors and sellers of edible salt
Labeling standard
  • Domestic fishery products: domestically produced or coastal fishery products
  • Oceanic products: oceanic products (or with sea area name)
  • Processed fishery products: origin of the ingredient used
  • Imported fishery products and their processed products: name of importing country (country of origin at the time of customs clearance under the Foreign Trade Act)
Labeling method
  • Fishery products sold in packaging are printed on the packaging or attached with stickers, or labels using electronic scales
  • Fishery products sold without packaging are labeled with tags or displayed on stickers, signs, or sales containers
  • Live fishery products such as live fish should be separated in storage facilities such as aquariums to prevent domestic and imported products of the same product from being mixed and marked with sign or signpost
Implementation progress
  • Imported fishery products: from Jan. 1st, 1994 (live fish included since Sep. 1st, 2004)
  • Domestic fishery products: from Jan. 1st, 1995 (live fish included since July. 1st, 2002)
  • Processed fishery products: from Jan. 1st, 1996 (retort food included since Jan. 1st, 2008)
  • Transplant fishery products: from Jan. 1st, 2009 (new provision standards and methods, announced by the minister)
  • Edible salt: from Feb. 11th, 2011 (Origin Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products Act)