# Launching a cosmetic product in South Korea > South Korea's responsible distributor manages the quality and safety of imported cosmetics. Start with the product's claims and the import route. Canonical URL: https://cosmeticaffairs.com/regulatory/launching-cosmetics-south-korea/ Author: [Cosmetic Affairs Editorial](https://cosmeticaffairs.com/authors/editorial/) Published: 2026-11-03T00:00:00-05:00 Modified: 2026-11-03T00:00:00-05:00 Collection: Regulatory Updates Topics: Regulatory, South Korea, Product Development ## Source record - Jurisdiction: South Korea - Issuing authority: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety - Document status: General guidance on cosmetic market entry - Source review: 2026-11-03 - Source checked: 2026-11-03 ### Original documents - [Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawViewContent.do?hseq=73920) ![AI-generated conceptual image of cosmetic products and import records.](https://cosmeticaffairs.com/regulatory/launching-cosmetics-south-korea/hero.png) AI-generated conceptual image; not a photograph of actual products, laboratories, or events. A brand plans to import a cosmetic product for sale in South Korea. The first questions are who will distribute it responsibly, how it is classified and what evidence and import documentation that business needs. This guide concerns ordinary imported cosmetics for conventional retail sale. Functional claims, different ingredients, sales models and later legal amendments require their own checks. Sources were checked on 3 November 2026. See the [market comparison](/regulatory/launching-cosmetics-international-markets/) for the wider picture. This article was generated with AI and checked against the sources linked below. It has not been independently reviewed by a local regulatory professional. ## Decide whether the product is a functional cosmetic South Korea distinguishes ordinary cosmetics from functional cosmetics. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) lists functions including certain skin-brightening, anti-wrinkle and UV-protection claims as examples of functional cosmetics. Depending on the product and applicable conditions, a functional cosmetic can require MFDS evaluation or a report. A product should not be assumed to qualify for a functional claim merely because a similar claim is used abroad. Write down the formula, intended users, product name and the exact proposed Korean label and advertising. Check the combination against the current classification and claims rules before settling the import route. Products that fall under drug or other legislation need a separate assessment. ## Identify the responsible distributor Korea's Cosmetics Act requires registration for relevant cosmetic manufacturing and responsible cosmetic distribution businesses. The English translation of the Enforcement Decree includes distributing and selling imported cosmetics within the responsible cosmetic distribution business. The Act also addresses a responsible distribution manager for quality and safety management. [Cosmetics Act, English translation through April 2025](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/lawViewMultiContent.do?hseq=69925); [Enforcement Decree, English translation through March 2026](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawViewContent.do?hseq=73920). Identify the business that will import and distribute the product and confirm its registration, manager and contractual responsibilities. The foreign brand, overseas manufacturer, importer and responsible distributor may be different parties. Agree who can obtain the full formula, manufacturing information, quality records and complaints, and who communicates with the authorities. Business registration is not proof that an individual formula or label meets all applicable requirements. Confirm the route with the local responsible distributor before placing an order. ## What the responsible distributor must manage The available English translation of the Cosmetics Act describes duties for responsible distributors concerning quality management, post-market safety management, quality testing, safety and efficacy information and safety measures, with details in subordinate rules. It also addresses reporting production or import performance and ingredient information. The responsible distribution manager has a separate role and the Act provides for safety and quality education. Check later amendments and current subordinate rules when assigning the work. In practice, agree which business obtains supplier information, reviews the Korean label, handles complaints and can identify affected batches. Arrange how the local distributor obtains records from the overseas manufacturer promptly if MFDS asks for information. An external testing laboratory or importer can perform agreed work, but using one does not itself remove the registered distributor's legal duties. ## Recall and regulatory consequences The Act's English translation describes recall duties and reporting of a recall plan in specified circumstances, and gives the authority powers to order recall or destruction. Not every complaint automatically triggers the same legal procedure; evaluate the product, risk and current applicable rule. [Cosmetics Act, Articles 5-2 and 23](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/lawViewMultiContent.do?hseq=69925). The English translation also describes administrative measures that can include sales or import prohibitions, business suspension or registration revocation in specified circumstances. Whether separate penalties or civil liability apply depends on the conduct and facts; neither follows automatically from holding the distributor role. The Act translation cited here reflects amendments through April 2025. Check later amendments and subordinate rules before making a decision. ## Prepare import and product information Give the Korean partner a controlled formula, ingredient identities and concentrations, manufacturing details, product specifications and proposed claims. Check restricted substances and conditions against the current Korean rules for the actual use. A formula approved or marketed elsewhere is a starting point for that review, not a substitute for it. Plan customs documentation and the import reporting process with the local importer. Confirm the current process, required documents and any applicable product testing or quality checks for the shipment. Import procedures are separate from the MFDS evaluation or reporting process for functional cosmetics. ## Prepare the Korean label South Korea's Cosmetics Act requires specified information on cosmetic packaging, with details and exceptions governed by subordinate rules. The Act's English translation describes product name, business information, ingredients, batch identification and use-by or period-after-opening information among the matters to check. It also requires prescribed information to be stated in easily understood Korean, while permitting other languages alongside it. Check the current Korean text and implementing rules for which information belongs on the primary or secondary packaging, small-package exceptions and importer details. Ensure that the product name and advertising do not imply a medicine or an unassessed functional claim. Prepare the translated artwork early enough for the responsible distributor to review it against the actual product. ## Organise safety and ongoing records The responsible distributor has quality and safety management duties. Keep the formula, supplier specifications, manufacturing and quality information, import records and label versions together. Establish how the distributor receives complaints and obtains information from the overseas manufacturer if a safety or quality issue arises. When changing a supplier, formula, name or claims, assess whether the registration information, product classification, quality records or label must be updated. Plan the review before the change reaches the next shipment. ## Sources - [MFDS: functional cosmetics evaluation](https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/wpge/m_24/de011014l001.do). - [Korea Legislation Research Institute: Cosmetics Act, English translation through April 2025](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/lawViewMultiContent.do?hseq=69925). Check later amendments and applicable subordinate rules. - [Korea Legislation Research Institute: Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act, English translation through March 2026](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawViewContent.do?hseq=73920). ## Frequently asked questions ### Who is responsible for distributing imported cosmetics in South Korea? A business distributing imported cosmetics must check whether it needs responsible cosmetic distributor registration and an appropriately qualified responsible manager. The actual importer, foreign brand and distributor may be different entities. ### Are all cosmetics subject to functional-cosmetic evaluation? No. The evaluation or reporting route concerns functional cosmetics. Check the product's actual claims and applicable conditions before deciding whether the product follows that route. ### What happens when a cosmetic presents a serious safety risk? The Cosmetics Act provides for recall duties and official recall or destruction orders in specified circumstances. The responsible business should assess the product and follow the applicable reporting and recall procedures. ### Does a product complaint prove the responsible distributor broke the law? No. A complaint alone does not establish a legal violation. Regulatory measures and any separate civil or criminal liability depend on the applicable law, the conduct and the facts.