--- title: "Exporting Plush to South Korea: Rules, Duty, Labels | Takara" description: "What plush and merchandise made in Vietnam need to sell in South Korea: toy safety rules, import duty and tax, required marks, labels and documents." url: https://takarahq.com/export/south-korea lang: en last_updated: 2026-11-09 publisher: "Takara Corporation JSC (takarahq.com)" --- # Exporting plush and merchandise to South Korea Toys in Korea fall under the Special Act on the Safety of Children’s Products. Plush needs safety confirmation testing by a designated Korean testing body and the KC mark before sale, with labeling in Korean. Vietnam-origin goods can claim preferential duty under Korea’s FTAs with Vietnam and ASEAN. Checked 9 Nov 2026 2 requirements for plush 2 sources [Get a quote for this market](https://takarahq.com/contact) Selling somewhere else? - [USUnited States](https://takarahq.com/export/united-states) - [EUEuropean Union](https://takarahq.com/export/european-union) - [UKUnited Kingdom](https://takarahq.com/export/united-kingdom) - [JPJapan](https://takarahq.com/export/japan) - [KRSouth Korea](https://takarahq.com/export/south-korea) - [AUAustralia](https://takarahq.com/export/australia) - [CACanada](https://takarahq.com/export/canada) - [SGSingapore](https://takarahq.com/export/singapore) - [VNVietnam](https://takarahq.com/export/vietnam) ## At a glance **Import duty from Vietnam** General rates on many toy lines are up to 8%; Vietnam-origin goods can claim preferential rates under VKFTA, AKFTA or RCEP with a certificate of origin. Confirm the line on Korea Customs UNI-PASS. **Tax at import** Import VAT 10%. **Marks** KC mark (children’s products safety confirmation). **Key document** Safety confirmation certificate from a designated testing body. **Labels** Korean: product name, model, manufacturer or importer, age, warnings, country of origin. **Responsible party** The Korean importer obtains the certification and marks the product. ## Easy to miss - **Testing in Korea’s system** Certification runs through bodies designated under the Korean act; foreign reports support but do not replace it. - **Origin marking** Country of origin must be marked under the Foreign Trade Act. - **FTA paperwork** Preferential duty needs the right certificate of origin for the agreement claimed. ## Requirements by product Pick your product. Indicative checklist from Takara’s market rule set; the accredited lab confirms the final scope. **Plush & toys** 1 test · 1 label - Test **KC (Special Act on Safety of Children’s Products)** Products for children under 13 need KC certification, safety confirmation or supplier’s conformity depending on the category; toys go through a designated lab. KC mark and Korean labeling required. - Label **Country-of-origin marking (Foreign Trade Act)** Imported goods carry a country-of-origin mark, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging. **Apparel** 1 test · 1 label - Test **KC (Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act)** In-scope household products, including household textiles, need supplier’s conformity confirmation and Korean labeling. - Label **Country-of-origin marking (Foreign Trade Act)** Imported goods carry a country-of-origin mark, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging. **Drinkware** 1 test · 1 label - Test **Food Sanitation Act (utensils & containers)** Material and migration standards for food-contact items, with an import declaration to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. - Label **Country-of-origin marking (Foreign Trade Act)** Imported goods carry a country-of-origin mark, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging. **Electronics** 2 tests · 1 label - Test **KC (Special Act on Safety of Children’s Products)** Products for children under 13 need KC certification, safety confirmation or supplier’s conformity depending on the category; toys go through a designated lab. KC mark and Korean labeling required. - Test **KC electrical safety & EMC / radio** Electrical safety certification plus EMC or radio conformity registration with the KC mark. - Label **Country-of-origin marking (Foreign Trade Act)** Imported goods carry a country-of-origin mark, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging. **Selling through retailers or under license (2 more)** - Audit **Retailer test protocol & factory audit** Major retailers usually set their own lab test protocol and require a social-compliance audit (for example amfori BSCI or Sedex SMETA) at the producing partner factory. These programs are generally practical for relatively large orders. - Audit **Licensor approvals & factory program** Licensors approve the concept, pre-production and final samples, and some (for example Disney FAMA) require production at an authorized partner factory. Authorized facilities are limited and generally practical for larger orders. ## How Takara handles it 1. **Declare the market** List every market and retailer at inquiry. It sets the tests and the eligible partner factories. 2. **Design for testing** Components, colors and labels are chosen so testing stays clear and affordable. 3. **Test before production** Accredited labs test the approved sample and risky components on production materials. 4. **Label and document** Marks, local-language labels and your importer’s documents are ready before shipment. Custom plush for export starts at 1,000 pieces per design, because testing is a fixed cost per design. Read next [Toy safety matrix](https://takarahq.com/insights-toy-safety-compliance-matrix) ## Questions **Does plush need KC certification in Korea?** Yes. Toys are children’s products under the Special Act and need safety confirmation and the KC mark before sale. **What duty applies to plush from Vietnam?** General rates on toy lines can reach 8%, but Vietnam-origin goods can claim preferential rates under VKFTA, AKFTA or RCEP. Check the exact line on UNI-PASS. ## Sources Checked on 9 November 2026. General information, not legal or customs advice: confirm the rate for your exact tariff code and the requirements for your product with a customs broker or accredited lab. 1. [Korea Customs Service, UNI-PASS tariff search](https://unipass.customs.go.kr/) 2. [Korea Customs Service, FTA portal](https://www.customs.go.kr/ftaportalkor/main.do) ## Planning plush for South Korea? Send the design, quantity, age grade and sales channel. Takara replies within 3 business days with a quote that includes testing and documents. [Get a quote](https://takarahq.com/contact) [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/84906672348)