01
High upfront setup cost
Tens of millions of KRW go out before the entity even exists. Legal, accounting, and certification costs accumulate before any revenue.
Avg. upfront cost ₩30M+
KONIVO handles IoR·customs·channel setup so overseas brands can start selling in Korea in 4–6 weeks — no Korean entity required.
IMPORTER & SELLER OF RECORD
Selling on a Korean marketplace legally requires a Korean business entity registered as both Importer of Record (IoR) and Seller of Record (SoR). KONIVO takes on that role entirely.
Customs clearance runs under KONIVO's name, so you never need an import license of your own. Includes MFDS and KC certification guidance and procedural walkthroughs.
Your products are listed and sold through KONIVO's seller accounts on Coupang, Naver, Kakao, and other channels. VAT is filed under KONIVO's name, and your net proceeds are remitted with a fully transparent settlement breakdown.
| Item | Typical local distributor | KONIVO IoR/SoR |
|---|---|---|
| Brand pricing authority | Held by the distributor | Held by you |
| Customer data ownership | Held by the distributor | Held by you |
| Transfer after contract termination | Negotiation required | Guaranteed and stated in the contract |
| Settlement transparency | Low (based on wholesale price) | Disclosed by deduction line item |
PLAN B · Registered IoR/SoR Agency Model
KONIVO registers as Importer of Record (IoR) and Seller of Record (SoR), so your Korea channel launches without an entity.
The same seller-operations team already runs Coupang, Naver, and Kakao Gift accounts for domestic Korean brands every day — this is the infrastructure your Korea channel runs on.
KONIVO's seller accounts list and run your products on Coupang, Naver Smart Store, Kakao, and other major channels. You control product names, pricing, and content — KONIVO handles platform registration and day-to-day operation.
KONIVO registers as the Korean importer and handles customs clearance, duties, and VAT. Your products enter Korea with no import license of your own required. MFDS and KC certification guidance is included.
Plugs straight into KONIVO's local 3PL and Coupang Rocket Growth infrastructure. Every warehousing and shipping fee is billed transparently at cost — never hidden inside a margin.
Native Korean speakers handle first-line inquiries, complaints, exchanges, and refunds from Korean customers. Includes platform review monitoring and response to negative reviews — no need to hire a Korean-speaking support team of your own.
KONIVO files and pays Korean VAT under its own name, so you never have to handle Korean tax filings directly. Revenue and every deduction are itemized transparently before your net proceeds are wired abroad.
Per-channel sales, inventory, and CS status delivered directly in a monthly report. Your data is never mixed or shared with other brands, and the full data set is handed back intact if you end the engagement.
ENTRY MODELS
Ship without inventory to test the market (Plan A), hand over full operations when you're ready (Plan B), then move to your own Korean entity whenever you are (Plan C/D) — one partner, the whole way.
HOW IT WORKS
No sales calls. Written report only.
FAQ
A traditional distributor takes your margin (typically 35–55%), your customer data, store ownership, and pricing control. When the contract ends, the store, the reviews, and the customers belong to the distributor. KONIVO only provides operating infrastructure — beneficial ownership of every revenue-generating asset stays with you, and a 30-day transfer guarantee means you can always go independent.
Yes. Under the Plan B (proxy operations) model, KONIVO's Korean entity acts as Importer of Record (IoR) and Seller of Record (SoR), letting you sell legally through a store under your own brand name — with no entity of your own required. The store account is registered under your brand identity and can be transferred to your own entity later.
It depends on the category. In most cases a supplementary Korean label is attached without altering the original label. KONIVO reviews the MFDS and Korea Customs labeling requirements that apply to your product and provides specific guidance.
You do. Each channel's API tokens and data streams are allocated individually to your brand. Reviews, ratings, and purchase cohorts belong to the store node, so they stay intact even after your operating relationship with KONIVO ends. Pixel history and audience segments can be exported to your own account on request.
We support most categories, including health supplements, beauty & cosmetics, sports nutrition, food & beverage, household goods, electronics, toys, fashion & accessories, and pet products. Heavily regulated items such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices need a separate consultation. Tell us your category when you apply and we'll map out the applicable compliance path.
A structured 30-day transfer process begins. Store accounts, ad accounts, pixels, customer data, and API tokens are transferred to your designated entity or successor operator. Transfer follows the checklist procedure defined in the MSA — it isn't a renegotiation. It's a contractual guarantee.
You'll receive a consultation report within 3 business days covering: ① a recommended entry structure (Plan A/B/C/D) fit to your category and goals, ② directional guidance on KC, MFDS, PIPA, labeling, and IoR requirements, ③ a suggested channel-opening priority and sequence, ④ an estimated timeline with clear transfer/exit terms. No sales calls — it starts with a few simple questions.
The brand HQ does. KONIVO operates as a transparent infrastructure provider, so 100% of your product margin stays with you. 3PL warehousing and parcel shipping fees inside Korea are deducted from the monthly settlement strictly at cost (pass-through), only for what was actually used.
Yes. Our core setup is marketplace retail (Coupang, Naver, Kakao, and others), but if your brand also needs a B2B bulk or wholesale distribution channel in Korea, KONIVO can support that on a scoped basis. Tell us your requirement when you apply and we'll map out how it fits alongside your marketplace operations.