Country Shipping Guide

Shipping to South Korea: Customs, Documents & Ports

South Korea is a major trading nation with Busan being one of the world's largest transshipment hubs.

Country: South Korea
Region: Asia
Currency: KRW
Major ports: KRPUS, KRICN
Time zone: Asia/Seoul

South Korea is a major trading nation with Busan being one of the world's largest transshipment hubs. The country is a leading exporter of electronics, automobiles, shipbuilding, and petrochemicals. Incheon serves Seoul and handles significant air cargo. Korea has free trade agreements with many major trading partners.

Customs in South Korea

Korea Customs Service (KCS) uses electronic UNI-PASS system. Import duties vary; VAT is 10%. FTA benefits available with EU, US, China, and others - proper origin documentation required. Automotive and food products have specific import requirements.

Documents required for South Korea

Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
Certificate of Origin (for FTA)
Import Declaration (UNI-PASS)
KC certification (for many products)

Tips for shipping to South Korea

Busan is a major transshipment hub for NE Asia
Strong FTA benefits available - verify origin rules
High-tech products may need KC certification
Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays affect operations

Popular routes to South Korea

busan-seattle
busan-hong-kong

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to ship to South Korea?

Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, Certificate of Origin (for FTA), Import Declaration (UNI-PASS), KC certification (for many products)

How does customs work in South Korea?

Korea Customs Service (KCS) uses electronic UNI-PASS system.