Effective September 12, 2019, the Postal Service™ is revising the Individual Country Listing for the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) to note that the government of South Korea is imposing prohibitions and restrictions on agricultural and plant products.
These revisions are based on a formal request from Korea Post dated July 11, 2019, in an effort to prevent the introduction of any infectious diseases and pests into South Korea.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
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Individual Country Listings
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Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
Country Conditions for Mailing
Prohibitions
[Remove the entry “Live animals or insects,” and add entries in alphabetical order to read as follows:]
Fresh fruits, including apples, limes, mangoes, oranges, and papayas.
Fresh vegetables, including unripe beans, rice seeds, potatoes, and walnuts with shells.
Fruit trees, including seedlings and cuttings (scions).
Live animals.
Live insects, including pet insects.
Pathogens.
Seeds of weeds. For information regarding other types of seeds, see Restrictions.
Soil or plants with soil attached.
Restrictions
[Add entries in alphabetical order to read as follows:]
Agricultural products — including fruits and vegetables (except fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, which are prohibited); herbs (including herbs for medicinal use); and grains — are required to be accompanied by an export certificate. A U.S. mailer must obtain the export certificate from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Animal products (such as antlers, bones, and feathers) are required to be accompanied by an export certificate. A U.S. mailer must obtain the export certificate from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the USDA APHIS. For more information, see 592.
Dairy and other similar products (including cheese and butter) are required to be accompanied by an export certificate. A U.S. mailer must obtain the export certificate from the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Eggs and processed egg products (including egg powder) are required to be accompanied by an Egg Products Export Certificate of Wholesomeness. A U.S. mailer must obtain the export certificate from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Lumber, including wood packing material, is required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. A U.S. mailer must obtain the phytosanitary certificate from the USDA APHIS.
Meat and processed meat products (including dried, fried, marinated, raw, and steamed) are required to be accompanied by a Meat Wholesomeness Certificate. A U.S. mailer must obtain the export certificate from the USDA FSIS.
Pet food (feed), including snacks and nutritional supplements, is required to be accompanied by an export certificate. A U.S. mailer must obtain the export certificate from the USDA APHIS.
Plants used for planting or for propagation, including seeds, seedlings, and bulbs, are required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. A U.S. mailer must obtain the phytosanitary certificate from the USDA APHIS.
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Although effective on September 12, 2019, the Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the next edition of the online IMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 9-12-19
