Shipping to South Korea
Shipping to South Korea
If you are interested in international cargo shipping to South Korea, the Port of Buson and the Port of Incheon are two widely used ports for ocean freight entering South Korea. Before you ship cargo to South Korea, there are some rules and regulations you may want to understand.
Dear CARGO EXPERTS…Just a short note to tell you our shipment arrived Friday…Except for a few broken dishes (a result of my poor packing techniques), everything about this shipment went incredibly smooth. Ms. Lee was so patient and understanding. She answered all our questions and walked us through the many documents we needed to send. And to you, for your hard work, thank you. Take Care,
Wes E. in South Korea
If you are moving overseas to South Korea, you will need certain documents including the following:
- Passport. You need an original passport for each member of your family who is moving with you to South Korea.
- Work Permit. You need a work permit issued by the South Korean Embassy stating that you will be living in South Korea for more than 12 months.
- Residence Card. You need a residence card for everyone in your family moving to South Korea. It is generally recommended that terms of stay are for more than 24 months.
- Employment Certificate. Sometimes an employment certificate provides a substitute for a residence card.
If you are moving overseas to South Korea, and shipping household goods and other items for personal use, it is important to create an inventory that details all of your cargo. You should plan to provide the original inventory and a copy to customs officials in South Korea. Make sure your inventory is legible. Your inventory should also include model and serial numbers for any electrical appliances that you are shipping to South Korea.
Whenever you ship cargo to South Korea, you will also need to provide an insurance certificate for the items that you are sending. Make sure you are able to provide information about Power of Attorney, along with a delivery address for your cargo shipment and your contact phone number.
It is important that your full and correct name, as shown on your passport, is also on all of your documents. If for some reason your name does not match exactly on each of your documents, your shipment may not be released by custom agents in South Korea.
Regulations when Cargo Shipping to South Korea
If you are shipping cargo to South Korea, you should be present during the customs examination process. All cargo shipments entering South Korea are inspected by customs officials in the country. In addition, your cargo shipment to South Korea should arrive within six months of your own arrival to the country (three months if your shipment will be arriving from Southeast Asia).
You can ship used household goods and personal items to South Korea without paying duty fees if you are planning on living in South Korea for more than 12 months with your family or for at least 24 months if you are living alone.
If you are planning on staying in South Korea for less than two years, your cargo shipment will be classified as a quasi-immigrant removal. If you have a quasi-immigrant removal, you may be required to pay various duty related fees.
If you are a citizen of South Korea and you are moving back to the country after having been away for more than two years (or at least one year with your family), you are allowed to ship used household goods and personal effects duty free.
All new items (less than six months old) that you ship to South Korea, or duplicate items, are subject to duty fees and taxes. In addition, any item that you ship to South Korea (new or used) that is estimated to be valued at more than $1,500 is subject to duty fees.
You may also be expected to pay duty fees on the following:
- Electrical appliances and other items
- Cameras (any kind)
- Food
- Instruments (musical)
- Carpeting or carpets
- Furniture that is luxurious
- Equipment for skiing
- Air cleaners
- Crystal glassware
- Golf equipment including golf clubs
- Mink coats
- Fine Jewelry
Please note, you will also be required to pay duty fees and taxes on alcohol or tobacco products.
If you do not meet the criteria described above, the items that you ship to South Korea will likely be subject to duty fees. Clearance in South Korea is most typically obtained in Busan, Inchon or Seoul.
Restricted and Prohibited Items when Shipping to South Korea
If you are shipping cargo to South Korea, there are restrictions on some goods and you are not allowed to ship a number of items to the country. Here is a list of items that are prohibited or restricted from shipment to South Korea:
- Narcotics and medicines (unless medically prescribed by a physician)
- Firearms, weapons or ammunition (rifles can only be imported to South Korea with a special permit from authorities in the country)
- Pornography or material that is considered politically sensitive
- Counterfeit money of any type
- Plants are required to undergo a detailed inspection in the South Korean quarantine office
- Fish and Meat
Shipping a Car to South Korea
If you are interested in shipping a car to South Korea, you will probably have to pay some type of duty fees, regardless of whether you are shipping a new or used car or vehicle. Cars that are not made in South Korea may not be sold or transferred in South Korea for at least three years after entry into the country.
If you want to ship a boat or motorcycle to South Korea, you will probably be required to pay duty fees on those.
Please note, you are not allowed to import Japanese cars to South Korea.
Before shipping a car to South Korea, you should know about some of the paperwork that is required. Plan to have the following documents before shipping a car to South Korea:
- Original Registration Certificate
- Original Purchase Receipt or Invoice, with certified purchase amount
- Work Permit valid for over 12 months
- Original Passport
- Customs Declaration
- Vehicle Title
- Insurance Policy
If you are shipping a car to South Korea, your car must be listed on your shipping inventory with information that includes the car make, model, year and plate number.
Call Cargo Experts toll free call today at 866-994-7822 with any questions you might have about cargo shipping to the South Korea or for a free freight quote for your cargo shipment to South Korea.