A White House fact sheet released last month listed seasoned seaweed as the sole seafood product to receive duty-free treatment, effectively slashing the previous 15 percent levy to zero, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Sunday. The exemption took effect on Nov. 13 based on customs clearance dates.
Dried seaweed, however, remains subject to the 15 percent reciprocal tariff alongside other seafood items. Still, data reveals that seasoned seaweed accounts for more than 90 percent of the country's seaweed exports to the United States, the tariff to have minimal impact.
The ministry said it would negotiate with Washington to secure duty-free status for dried seaweed and tuna fillets as well.
The exemption comes as Korean seaweed continues to gain traction among American consumers. Exports to the U.S. reached $228 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 15.9 percent from a year earlier, despite the imposition of reciprocal tariffs earlier this year.
November shipments alone surged 25.2 percent on-year to $24.5 million, outpacing the cumulative growth rate for the January to November period. The U.S. accounts for more than 20 percent of South Korea's total seaweed exports.
South Korea's global seaweed exports totaled $1.04 billion in the first 11 months, marking a 13.3 percent increase from the same period last year. This marks the first time annual shipments have surpassed the $1 billion threshold.
Last year, exports narrowly missed the milestone at $997 million. The ministry forecasts full-year exports to exceed $1.1 billion for the first time in 2025.
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