Country market guide: Japan and South Korea

Japan and South Korea are two of Asia's most developed economies with high purchasing power and strict quality standards. Both are major importers of raw materials, food, and specialized manufactured goods.

Japan

• Currency — Japanese Yen (JPY).
• Customs authority — Japan Customs.
• Key requirements — JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) mark for many industrial products, JFSL (Japan Food Sanitation Law) compliance for food, and PSE mark for electrical products.
• FTAs — Japan has extensive agreements including CPTPP, Japan-EU EPA, and RCEP. These can reduce tariffs significantly.

South Korea

• Currency — South Korean Won (KRW).
• Customs authority — Korea Customs Service (KCS).
• Key requirements — KC mark for safety certification on electronics and consumer products. KFDA approval for food and pharmaceuticals.
• FTAs — South Korea has FTAs with the EU, US (KORUS), ASEAN, and many others.

Tips for Both Markets

Quality expectations are extremely high. Provide detailed specifications, invest in professional packaging, and expect buyers to request third-party test reports. On Faktorist, filtering suppliers by ISO 9001 certification helps Korean and Japanese buyers narrow their search.