Exporting to Spain or Latin America?

Korean exporters to Spain and Latin America are often asked for a Certificate of Free Sales (CFS, 자유판매증명서) — and the correct process depends on which of four bodies issued it and what language the destination requires.

Who issues a CFS

• Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Medical Device Information Center, or Chamber of Commerce — these are public documents; apostille or consular legalization can attach directly to the original.
• Cosmetics Association — its certificate is treated differently: consular legalization can attach to the original, but an apostille requires converting it into a notarized document first (a signed confirmation statement, notarized as a signature certification, attached ahead of the original).

If English is accepted

No translation needed — apostille or consular legalization goes directly on the English original.

If a non-English translation is required

1. Issue the CFS in Korean first (recommended over translating English → another language, which can hit translator-qualification issues).
2. Translate to the required language.
3. Translation certification (번역문 인증).
4. Apostille or consular legalization.

Who needs this

Korean manufacturers and exporters of cosmetics, food products, and medical devices seeking market entry into Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and other Spanish-speaking markets where customs or regulatory authorities require a properly legalized CFS as part of import registration.

Typical timeline

Apostille filing through an agent typically takes about 1–2 business days once the document is ready; total timeline depends on which certification steps your destination requires, and on how quickly the issuing body (Ministry, Chamber of Commerce, or Cosmetics Association) processes the original CFS request.

Common mistakes

• Assuming all four issuing bodies follow the same legalization path — the Cosmetics Association's certificate needs an extra notarization step for apostille
• Translating an existing English CFS directly into a third language instead of reissuing in Korean first
• Underestimating how much lead time regulatory submissions in the destination market require before a shipment can proceed

Pricing

Quoted individually based on the issuing body and destination requirements; general document translation starts at ₩33,000, with notarization and apostille fees added as needed.