Strict Quarantine Inspection Required Area
Higher-risk designated areas where intensive quarantine measures are required.
Korean ports entry guide
What to confirm before entering a Korean port.
A quick operational summary for overseas owners. Always verify the linked authority document and its effective date.
CIQ / Quarantine
Effective 1 Oct 2026Quarantine Inspection
Before arrival: check whether any crew member stayed in or transited through a designated area, and prepare Q-CODE or a Health Declaration Form when required. Check the current designation and coordinate vessel-specific requirements with the responsible quarantine office.
Quarantine Inspection Required Area
Areas where quarantinable disease may be prevalent and could be introduced into Korea.
| Condition | Inspection | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
| Crew change in a general quarantine management area, with no other boarding-inspection trigger | Document | Crew change alone no longer triggers boarding from 1 Oct 2026. Submit required documents; the quarantine office may require an on-site health or sanitation check. |
| Vessel arrival before the statutory maximum incubation period has elapsed since departure from a strict quarantine management area | Boarding | Confirm the applicable disease, current area designation and arrival interval with the responsible quarantine office. |
| Confirmed or suspected quarantinable disease, death, disease vectors or traces, missing or expired ship sanitation certificate, or unfulfilled prior quarantine measures | Boarding | Notify the responsible quarantine office promptly. Boarding also applies where its director identifies another high transmission risk. |
Summary of vessel inspection triggers under the Quarantine Act Enforcement Rule effective 1 Oct 2026. Document inspection is not an exemption from quarantine. Personal health-reporting requirements are assessed separately; confirm vessel and crew requirements with the responsible quarantine office.
KDCA notices ↗Current authority notice (Korean) ↗English reference · 7 Sep 2026 ↗Vessel inspection rules · 1 Oct 2026 ↗KDCA vessel inspection update ↗
The fourth-quarter designation announced on 21 Sep 2026 is effective from 1 Oct 2026. The September English reference predates this designation. Check the current notice for country lists. Q-CODE requirements differ by designation and symptoms; traveller notices do not establish identical requirements for every vessel or crew member.
SOx Emission Control Area
Effective 1 Jan 2022SECA
Applies from entry to departure: all vessels entering and remaining within a designated Korean SOx Emission Control Area.
Applicable ports
Incheon (incl. Gyeongin)Pyeongtaek-DangjinYeosu & Gwangyang (incl. Hadong)BusanUlsan
Port names are a summary. Use the designated boundaries in Article 2 of the notice; the western Busan waters in Article 2(4) apply only to vessels using Busan New Port.
Main Requirements
Compliant fuel oil
Fuel oil sulphur content must not exceed 0.10% m/m in a designated Korean SOx ECA.
Approved equivalent method
An approved EGCS / scrubber may be used as an equivalent measure. The Ministry source specifies a SO₂ (ppm) / CO₂ (%, v/v) emission ratio of 4.3 for the 0.10% sulphur limit.
Engine log records
Record the date, time and position when fuel change-over is completed, or the approved EGCS operating status. Keep the required records on board in accordance with the applicable regulation.
Change-over procedure
When using separate fuels of different sulphur content, carry a written change-over procedure. Complete the change to compliant fuel before entry and maintain compliance until the vessel has left the designated SECA.
Penalties: non-compliance may result in penalties and administrative sanctions under applicable Korean regulations.
Check the current law, notices, equivalence approval and vessel-specific requirements before compliance decisions.