International · KR

How to Ship to South Korea from the US

South Korea has efficient customs and strong ecommerce infrastructure — shipping to Korean recipients is straightforward for most consumer goods. Korean consumers expect fast, tracked delivery. Korea Post handles USPS final-mile deliveries; private couriers (CJ Logistics, Hanjin) handle most express.

Korea's de minimis threshold is $200 USD — imports under this are customs duty-free but 10% VAT still applies.

Typical 1 lb cost

$25-$45 USD

Typical transit

3-10 business days

Carrier Options to South Korea

DHL Express Worldwide

2-4 business days. Strong Korean network.

FedEx International Priority

2-4 business days. Reliable for Seoul and major cities.

USPS Priority Mail International

5-10 business days. Korea Post final delivery — efficient.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

3-5 business days. Competitive for 2-20 lbs.

Customs Forms Required

CN22 under $400. CN23 + commercial invoice above. Korean personal customs clearance requires the receiver's PCC (Personal Customs Clearance Code).

Commonly Prohibited Items

✕North Korean goods (all categories)
✕Japanese certain historical artifacts (post-colonial sensitivities)
✕Live animals without certificates
✕Certain drugs and supplements
✕Pornography (Korean law is strict)

South Korea-Specific Shipping Tips

💡 Korean addresses use recent 'Road Name' system (replacing old 'Jibun' system in 2014). Use road name format.
💡 Include recipient's PCC (Personal Customs Clearance Code) — required by Korean customs for most imports
💡 Korean postal codes are 5 digits
💡 Recipient phone number is important — carriers use SMS for delivery coordination
💡 Avoid shipping during Korean New Year (late January/February) and Chuseok (September/October) — extended closures

Frequently asked questions

What is PCC and do I need to ask the recipient for it?

PCC = Personal Customs Clearance Code. Every Korean recipient has one tied to their national ID. Required for imports — include on the customs form.

How much is Korean VAT?

10% on all imports including shipping. Applied regardless of de minimis for tax (duty threshold is $200 USD).

How long does DHL take to South Korea?

2-4 business days to Seoul. 3-5 days to other major cities. Excellent reliability.

Can I ship K-pop merchandise through customs?

Yes — Korean customs doesn't restrict branded merchandise. Declare accurately as gift or personal use.

Is USPS reliable to Korea?

Yes. Korea Post handles final delivery efficiently. Priority Mail International is reliable and cheaper than courier alternatives.

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