Business Report for a Distribution-Specialized Food Sales Business — How to Sell Own-Brand Food Through OEM Without a Factory

Procedure

1. 1. Choose a contract manufacturer

   First check that the company holds a business registration that allows it to manufacture the type of product you want to make. The product can be manufactured on consignment only if the item is included in the manufacturer's business registration certificate.

2. 2. Draw up the contract manufacturing agreement

   State the product name, the item, the production method and the scope of quality responsibility in the agreement. The contract manufacturer is responsible in the first instance for negligence in manufacturing, but responsibility for labeling and sales remains with the seller, so it is best to write down the division of roles.

3. 3. Complete prior sanitation education

   A new operator of a distribution-specialized food sales business must receive sanitation education (4 hours) before filing the business report. The certificate of completion is attached to the report form.

4. 4. File the business report with the competent district office

   Submit the business report form to the sanitation department of the city, county or district (si/gun/gu) office having jurisdiction over the location of your office. The right to use the office is proven with a lease contract, and when an agent files on your behalf, the authorization documents are submitted with it.

5. 5. Manage changes after the report

   If the name of the business operator (representative), the trade name, the location or the area of the place of business changes, file a report of change. Making such a change without a report of change is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30,000,000 won, and administrative dispositions such as business suspension may also be imposed.

Required documents

• Business report form for a distribution-specialized food sales business
• Certificate of completion of sanitation education
• Office lease contract (proof of the right to use the premises)
• Contract manufacturing agreement and a copy of the contract manufacturer's business registration certificate (not statutory attachments, but prepared in case you are asked to show them)
• When an agent files, add: for an individual, a certificate of seal impression and a letter of authorization; for a corporation, a certificate of corporate seal impression and a corporate register certificate

Fees

Government fees for the business report are separate and follow the local government's standards. The office's basic fee for handling permits and reports starts at 300,000 won and varies with the number of consigned items and the scope of contract review. We will review your product plan and advise you on the fee after a consultation.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Enforcement Decree of the Food Sanitation Act, Article 21
• Enforcement Decree of the Food Sanitation Act, Article 25
• Enforcement Decree of the Food Sanitation Act, Article 26
• Enforcement Rule of the Food Sanitation Act, Article 42
• Enforcement Rule of the Food Sanitation Act, Article 52
• Food Sanitation Act, Article 97

Checked against the statutes on 2026-09-30

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

• First check that the product you plan to make is included in the items of the contract manufacturer's business registration.
• A report of change is required if the name of the business operator (representative), the trade name, the location or the area of the place of business changes.

Frequently asked questions