How to Apply for Agricultural Machinery Inspection — 45-Day Comprehensive and 30-Day Safety Inspection for Imported Farm Machinery and Required Documents

Procedure

1. 1. Check whether the machine is subject to inspection

   Annex 4 of the Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act separates machines subject to comprehensive inspection (agricultural tractors, combines, rice transplanters, agricultural product dryers, cold storage for agricultural products, riding-type powered carriers, agricultural forklifts and others) from those subject to safety inspection (walking-type powered carriers, grain dryers, brush cutters, agricultural aerial work platforms, trailers and others). Machines on the list must be inspected whether new or imported used products, while machines manufactured or imported for research and development or export are outside the obligation. Before signing an import contract, check which column the model and type fall under.

2. 2. Choose the inspection type

   The mandatory inspections are the comprehensive inspection covering structure, performance, safety and ease of operation, the safety inspection covering structure and safety, and the change inspection for partial changes to a machine that has already passed. Machines not subject to the obligation may apply for an international standard inspection, a technical guidance inspection, or an optional inspection for machines receiving state funding. An application for a product of the same type as one already inspected may be returned.

3. 3. Prepare the application and attachments

   For comprehensive and safety inspections, attach 1 copy each of the specification and performance description, the exterior drawing of the machine and the operating manual to the inspection application in Form No. 2, and for agricultural tractors, combines and agricultural forklifts also attach a copy of the engine emission certificate. For a change inspection, submit 1 document stating the changes and the reasons. For overseas manufacturer materials, make sure the type name, output and specification figures match across the manual and the nameplate.

4. 4. Submit to the Foundation and undergo inspection

   The application is submitted to the Foundation of Agri. Tech. Commercialization and Transfer (or a designated inspection agency) together with the product for inspection, and the fee publicly notified by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is paid. Machines tested in fields or on site may be delivered at the time of testing, and the Foundation may request inspection materials and a work performance test site. The processing period is 45 days for comprehensive inspection, 30 days for safety inspection, 60 days for international standard inspection, 30 days for technical guidance inspection and 20 days for change inspection, excluding periods for providing materials, supplementing documents or unsuitable weather conditions.

5. 5. Receive the test report and attach the inspection certificate label

   After the inspection the Foundation issues an inspection report, and the manufacturer or importer attaches an inspection certificate label to machines of a type that passed the comprehensive or safety inspection. The product submitted for inspection must be collected within 30 days after notice. If the name, trade name, main office location or type name changes, a change report is filed with the Foundation within 30 days.

Required documents

• Agricultural Machinery Inspection Application (Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Form No. 2)
• Specification and performance description
• Exterior drawing of the agricultural machine
• Operating manual
• Copy of the engine emission certificate or individual vehicle engine emission certificate (agricultural tractors, combines and agricultural forklifts)
• Document stating the changes and the reasons (change inspection)
• Inspection report from an accredited testing institution (when replacing the comprehensive inspection for large machinery or omitting inspection items)
• Letter of authorization (if submitted by an agent)

Fees

Industry range from several hundred thousand won to several million won · We will advise after consultation depending on the inspection type (comprehensive, safety or change), the volume of overseas manufacturer materials to organize and the number of models. Government fees are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 9
• Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 9-2
• Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 10
• Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 19
• Enforcement Decree of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Annex (Criteria for Imposing Administrative Fines)
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 3
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 3-2
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 4
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 5
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 6
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 7
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 8
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Article 12
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Annex 4
• Enforcement Rule of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, Form No. 2

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-08

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• Under Article 9-2 of the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Act, agricultural tractors, powered carriers and similar machines must bear an agricultural use marking, and agricultural tractors and similar machines must bear a serial number engraved on the chassis; failing to mark or marking falsely is subject to an administrative fine.
• Even after passing, a post-inspection may be carried out on machines of the same type, and machines that fall short of the standards may face a shipment ban, an order to make improvements or cancellation of the inspection. A passing judgment obtained by false or other fraudulent means is void.

Frequently asked questions