“Korean Pepero OEM”: What You Can (and Can’t) Do — Plus a Private-Label Path That Works

Pepero is a Lotte brand (chocolate-coated biscuit sticks). You generally can’t OEM “Pepero” unless you’re working directly with Lotte. What you can OEM is a Pepero-style biscuit-stick product under your own brand—with custom flavors, formats, and packaging. We handle that private-label program end-to-end.

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First, the facts (so we’re aligned)

Pepero is Lotte’s product/mark. It’s a line of chocolate-dipped cookie sticks made by Lotte (Korea).

Pack sizes you’ll see at retail: Original 47 g boxes; Almond variants commonly 32 g; assorted multi-packs are widely sold.

Seasonal lift: Pepero Day is November 11 (11/11) in Korea—mass gifting and spikes in sell-through. Great timing for launches/promos.

Halal variants exist: Lotte reports exporting Pepero certified Halal by IFANCA for certain markets.

> If your goal is official Pepero distribution, that’s a branded buy from Lotte/authorized channels, not OEM.

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The viable route: Private-label “biscuit sticks, chocolate-coated”

We build a look-distinct product with the same use case (thin biscuit sticks, dipped/coated), but under your brand.

What you can customize

Coatings & inclusions: milk/dark/white, cookies-&-cream, matcha, strawberry; almond bits, rice crisps, etc.

Format: 30–50 g single boxes; multi-packs (4×32 g / 12-pack gift); seasonal sleeves.

Sticks & bite: thickness, crunch profile, length.

Packaging: brand visuals, multi-language labels, GS1s, display outers.

Regulatory & import

Typical US tariff classification for chocolate-coated biscuit sticks falls under HTSUS 1905.31.0049 (sweet biscuits) — duty-free; country rules vary and we confirm per lane.

We prepare ingredient/allergen panels (wheat, milk, soy, tree-nut if almond), nutrition facts, lot/date coding, and importer-of-record docs. (For specific allergens, see examples on US retail listings.)

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Brand safety & IP (plain-English guardrails)

We don’t use the Pepero name, logos, or trade dress (that’s Lotte’s).

The stick-with-chocolate product shape itself has been treated as functional in US litigation (re Pocky v. Pepero), but branding/packaging still must be clearly distinct. We design accordingly. This is informational, not legal advice.

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Launch calendar ideas

Q4 promo pegged to 11/11 (Pepero-/Pocky-style day) boosts discovery; pair with Valentine’s-style gifting copy.

Evergreen: coffee/tea cross-merch, office pantry, snack subscription boxes.

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How we run the program (NexSupply)

1. Brief → concept lock: flavor set, inclusions, box size, design direction.

2. Pilot: low-risk One-Box Pilot to validate taste, packaging, and shelf—pre-ship AQL 2.5 QC built in.

3. Scale: confirm cartonization, GS1s, retailer stickers, promo calendar; ship DDP to your DC/3PL.

4. Options: Halal line (where available), nut-free SKUs, gift sleeves, seasonal art.

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Spec snapshot (example build)

Unit: 32–47 g box (foil-pouched)

Case: 20–40 units (channel-dependent)

Shelf life: commonly 9–12 months (confirm per lot)

Allergens: wheat; milk/soy; tree-nut if almond (final label per formula)

Certs: HACCP/ISO; Halal option per factory/recipe (market-specific).

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Ready to explore?

Tell us target markets, flavors, and your first-order forecast. We’ll send samples, spec sheets, tiered pricing, lead times, and a launch plan for 11/11 or your next promo window.