A practical, step-by-step 2025 playbook for Indonesian seafood plants to get Korea MFDS foreign facility registration done right. Who files, exact documents, timelines, updates, and duplicate fixes.
We’ve helped Indonesian plants go from first conversation to MFDS approval in as little as 11 business days. The difference is always the same. Tight prep, one lead importer, and documents that match exactly. If you want shipments to clear smoothly in Korea in 2025, here’s the playbook we use ourselves.
The 3 pillars of fast MFDS approval
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One-owner data truth. Pick a lead Korean importer to submit and maintain your MFDS record. Everyone else references the same registration number. This prevents duplicate files, mixed addresses, and delays.
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Document precision. Use one English legal name, one Indonesian legal name, and one address format everywhere. Match what’s on your Indonesian licenses. Don’t switch between PT ABC Seafood and PT A.B.C. Seafood. It matters.
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Scope clarity. Register each physical site that appears as the manufacturer, packer, or storage operator on your documents. Processing plant. Freezer. Cold storage that relabels or repacks. Trading company only if it appears as the manufacturer on labeling or certificates.
Week 1–2: Prep, validation, and choosing the submitter
Who submits the MFDS foreign facility registration for Indonesian seafood? Your Korean importer files it inside the MFDS Imported Food System. You, as the exporter or manufacturer, provide the documents and an authorization letter. We recommend nominating one lead importer to create the master record. Other importers can use the same registration number later.
What to prepare for your importer:
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Legal name in English and Indonesian. Include NPWP and company registration number.
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Factory address in English and Indonesian. Include postal code and phone.
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Factory type. Processing, packing, storage, or multiple.
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Production scope. Example wording that works well: fish fillet processing and freezing for export. Tuna loins and saku cutting and packing. Cold storage and export dispatch.
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Contacts. Director and QA lead name, title, email, phone.
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Licenses. Indonesian factory license and any seafood-specific permits. If you have HACCP or SKP, include copies. Not mandatory to register, but they reduce questions.
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Floor plan and 4 to 6 photos. Entrance, processing floor, cold room doors, labelling area, exterior showing address if available.
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Authorization letter. On company letterhead authorizing the named Korean importer to file and maintain your MFDS registration. Include facility name, full address, and authorized person’s passport or ID number. Sign and stamp.
Practical takeaways. Confirm your address format against Google Maps and Indonesian licenses. Share a short process flowchart. Keep filenames simple. Example: PT-Name_Factory-License_2025-01-10.pdf.
Week 3–6: Filing, review, and avoiding duplicates
Your importer enters the facility data, uploads documents, selects business type, and submits. In our experience, MFDS processing takes 7 to 15 business days when files are clean. During peak months it can run 2 to 3 weeks. You can ship before approval at your own risk, but cargo cannot clear import without the MFDS registration number on the import notification. We plan sailings so approval lands before arrival to avoid storage fees.
Why does MFDS flag duplicates and how to fix it? In 2024–2025 we’ve seen tighter matching. Minor changes like PT punctuation, road abbreviations, or block numbers can trigger a duplicate review. If MFDS flags you as a possible duplicate, do this:
- Ask your importer to search their portal for existing records using partial name and the Indonesian address. There is an MFDS registration number lookup inside the importer system.
- If an older record exists, confirm whether it is yours. Compare photos and floor plans if needed.
- If it is yours, request the importer to link to the existing registration number and file a “change of registered matters” to update name formatting. Attach a letter explaining the correction.
- If it is not yours, prepare a notarized declaration stating your legal name and address. Include unique identifiers like NPWP, factory license number, and phone. Ask MFDS to clear the duplicate flag.
Two tips that save days. Include NPWP and factory license numbers in the application text fields. Provide a geolocation pin URL. We’ve found that both reduce back-and-forth.
Week 7–12: Maintaining the record and scaling importers
Once approved, share your MFDS registration number with all Korean partners. Multiple importers can use the same facility registration for different products. Keep a master data sheet with the English and Indonesian names, address, and number. Ask new importers to copy the data exactly.
How to update MFDS if your plant changes name, address, or ownership. MFDS expects updates within about 30 days of changes. Your importer files an amendment with supporting documents. For a name change or legal ownership change, attach your updated Indonesian business license, a name-change certificate, and a short letter explaining continuity of operations. For address changes, include a new floor plan and photos. Notify all Korean partners once the change is approved because import notifications need the updated details.
Do you need separate registrations for a processing plant, cold storage, and a trading company in Indonesia. Register each physical site that manufactures, repacks, freezes, or stores product for export if it appears on export documentation as the manufacturer or storage operator. If your trading entity is only a seller and the plant name appears on label and certificates, register the plant. If your cold storage applies labels, performs glazing, or re-packs, register it as storage or packing. If you consolidate and ship Grouper Fillet (IQF) and Yellowfin Saku (Sushi Grade) from different sites, each site that touches the product and appears as manufacturer needs its own MFDS record.
Is a HACCP certificate mandatory. Not strictly for registration. We have registered facilities with and without HACCP. But a valid HACCP or SKP helps during review and can reduce inspection frequency on first shipments. We recommend submitting it if you have it.
Need help mapping your facility chain and deciding what to register first. If you want a quick, no-fluff second opinion, Contact us on whatsapp. We can review your process flow and advise which entities to register now versus later.
Quick answers to the questions we get every week
Who should submit the MFDS foreign facility registration, the Korean importer or the exporter in Indonesia?
The Korean importer submits inside the MFDS system. The Indonesian manufacturer or exporter supplies documents and an authorization letter. We suggest one lead importer to create and maintain the master record.
What documents does an Indonesian seafood plant need to provide?
Company licenses, factory license, address in English and Indonesian, NPWP, contact details, production scope, floor plan, photos, and an authorization letter. HACCP and SKP are helpful but not mandatory.
How long does MFDS approval take in 2025, and can we ship before approval?
Typically 7 to 15 business days. Peak periods can push it to 2 to 3 weeks. You can sail cargo before approval, but it cannot clear import without the registration number. Time your ETAs carefully.
Do we need separate registrations for multiple sites in Indonesia?
Yes, if each site appears in documentation as manufacturer, packer, or storage operator. A trading company only needs registration if it appears as the manufacturer on the label or certificates.
How do we update MFDS if our plant changes name, address, or ownership?
Your importer files a change request with updated licenses and supporting documents. Do it within about 30 days. Inform all importers once approved so they update import notifications.
Why did MFDS flag our facility as a duplicate and how do we resolve it?
Small differences in names and addresses can trigger a flag. Search for existing records, link to the correct one, and submit a change to unify the data. If it is not yours, submit a declaration with NPWP and license numbers to clear the record.
Is HACCP required to register?
No. But submitting HACCP or SKP strengthens the file and can reduce questions. We recommend including them when available.
The 5 biggest mistakes that derail MFDS registration
- Multiple importers creating separate records for the same site. Nominate a lead importer and share the final registration number.
- Inconsistent names and addresses across licenses, labels, and the MFDS form. Lock one format. Share a master data sheet.
- Registering only the plant while ignoring a third-party cold storage that repacks or relabels. If it touches labeling or packing, register it.
- Shipping before approval with a tight ETA. Even a 3 day delay can cost real money in storage.
- No authorization letter. Many importers will not file without it. Use clean, signed, stamped letters with clear facility details.
Resources and next steps
If you are planning Korean distribution for fillets or portions like Goldband Snapper Fillet or Mahi Mahi Portion (IQF), your first shipment window drives the registration calendar. Start document prep two weeks before booking. Nominate one lead importer. Share your master data and photos. Ask the importer to search for duplicates before filing.
Our experience shows that 3 out of 5 delays come from inconsistent data rather than missing certificates. Get the story straight once, and MFDS usually moves fast.
Questions about your facility chain or whether a warehouse needs its own record. Call us. If you already have target SKUs, you can also shortlist products and specifications here. View our products.
We hope this helps you get to approved status faster and with fewer surprises. Done right, MFDS registration becomes a one-time setup that your whole importer network can rely on for years.