To launch your own coffee brand in South Korea, lock down structure, permits, labeling, and channels in this order: incorporate (Chusik Hoesa or Yuhan Hoesa; foreign founders typically secure a D-8 investor visa with ≥₩100M paid-in capital), obtain a Business Registration with the National Tax Service (10% VAT applies), then secure a food manufacturing/processing permit from your local district office under the Food Sanitation Act—or contract an HACCP-compliant OEM roaster and file as a distributor. If importing, clear green beans via APQA quarantine (phytosanitary certificate) and submit MFDS import notifications for roasted/RTD; confirm HS code duties and any FTA benefits. Labels must be in Korean and include product name, net weight, ingredients (e.g., 100% coffee), origin, manufacturer/importer, lot/roast date and best-before, storage, and customer service number; caffeine disclosure applies to beverages, not beans. Register your trademark early with KIPO. For e-commerce, file a mail-order business declaration, then prioritize Naver Smart Store and Coupang (use FBC/Fulfillment), plus KakaoTalk Channel for CRM; wholesale with 1 kg SKUs for cafés, retail with nitrogen-flushed 200 g valve bags carrying the recycling mark (EPR registration required). Decide roast profile by channel: medium-light filters for specialty buyers, sweeter medium roasts for milk drinks. Price to local norms and drive trial with Seongsu pop-ups and office sampling.
