From customs declaration to marketplace sales, settlement, and transfer — we break down, step by step, every operational task KONIVO handles as your IoR and SoR.
New to the IoR/SoR concept? → Read the structure guide first
Service Scope at a Glance
We clearly separate the items you no longer need to handle yourself once the contract begins from the items you must prepare in advance.
IoR · Customs Clearance Process
We break down the operational flow of how each step is handled in KONIVO's IoR structure, from an overseas brand's goods to their listing on Korean marketplaces.
Certification · Regulatory Requirements
Korea's statutory certifications that must be obtained before import and sale differ by category.
Below are the key certification requirements for the categories KONIVO most commonly handles.
The cost and process of obtaining certifications are borne by you; KONIVO supports you with requirement guidance and introductions to the relevant agencies.
| Category | Governing agency | Mandatory certification | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food · health functional food | MFDS | Import declaration required | Import food declaration required. Health functional foods require a separate functionality recognition process. Korean-language labeling is mandatory. |
| Cosmetics · skincare | MFDS | Import declaration required | Cosmetics responsible distributor registration, or handling via an agent, is required. Korean-language full ingredient labeling and expiry date labeling are mandatory. |
| Electronics · home appliances | RRA (National Radio Research Agency) | KC certification required | KC certification under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act is required. Without it, customs clearance is not possible. |
| Children's products | KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards) | KC certification required | The Special Act on the Safety of Children's Products applies. Distribution and sale are not allowed without the KC mark. Safety testing is mandatory. |
| Quasi-drugs · hygiene products | MFDS | Product approval required | If classified as a quasi-drug, product approval or notification is required. Import business registration and GMP documentation may be required. |
| Agricultural food · livestock products | Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs | Quarantine required | Animal and plant quarantine is required. Some items are prohibited from import or subject to separate admissibility criteria. Country-of-origin labeling is mandatory. |
| Apparel · textiles | Ministry of Environment | Environmental labeling recommended | No mandatory certification, but voluntary KC safety confirmation is recommended. Fiber composition labeling and care instruction labeling are mandatory. |
| Pet products | Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs / MFDS | Varies by item | Feed and treats require an import declaration. Accessories (leashes, apparel, etc.) require no separate certification. Item-by-item confirmation is essential. |
| General consumer goods · sundries | — | No separate certification required | If not subject to electrical, food, or chemical regulations, no separate mandatory certification applies. Korean-language labeling and country-of-origin labeling are mandatory. |
Official Resources
Check customs clearance, duties, and import requirements against the official government materials below. A more detailed practical explanation is compiled in the import customs clearance guide.
Links go to each agency's official site. Rules change periodically, so confirm the source text and check with KONIVO before you rely on this for an actual customs clearance.
SoR · Channel Operations
We explain in detail how KONIVO actually operates each channel as the seller of record (SoR), with an operating approach tailored to each platform's characteristics.
SoR · Settlement Structure
We transparently disclose, line item by line item, how channel revenue is deducted in KONIVO's SoR structure and how the final net profit is remitted to you.
Compare revenue, deductions, and net profit across all channels — Coupang, Naver, Gmarket, and more — month by month on a single screen. See at a glance which channel is the most profitable.
Every month we automatically issue a settlement statement that itemizes all deductions — platform fees, logistics costs, advertising costs, VAT, and more — separated by channel and by line item. You can download a statement for each individual item as a PDF.
When the settlement cycle comes around, KONIVO automatically calculates the deductions and remits the net profit to your account. Email notifications immediately inform you of settlement completion and any anomalies.
See in the data which channel generates the highest net profit and which deduction items erode it.
Learn moreA settlement statement is generated automatically every month. You can instantly download a PDF that includes the breakdown by channel and by line item.
Learn moreIf a deduction item increases abnormally versus the previous month, we send an email alert immediately so you can review it.
Learn moreSoR · Brand Control
Even though sales are made under KONIVO's name, final authority over brand, pricing, and strategy rests with you. We clearly separate which items you approve and which items KONIVO executes independently.
Structure Comparison
We have summarized the key differences between a conventional local distributor / agency contract and KONIVO's IoR/SoR structure.
| 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 |
| Whether entity setup is required | Requires negotiation with the distributor | Not required |
| VAT filing | Handled by the distributor (opaque) | Under KONIVO's name, with details disclosed |
| Store account ownership | In the distributor's name (hard to transfer) | In KONIVO's name → transfer guaranteed |
Frequently Asked Questions
We propose a concrete structure tailored to your category and target channels in writing. Delivered as a review document only, with no sales calls.
Book a free consultation →