China and South Korea are geographically adjacent, bilateral trade is active, and commodity transportation is frequent and diversified. Whether it is electronic products, mechanical equipment, household goods, or small cross-border e-commerce packages, they all rely on an efficient and stable international logistics system.
Shipping from China to South Korea mainly includes sea and air transportation. Sea transportation is generally suitable for bulk goods or full container transportation, while air transportation is suitable for time-sensitive or high-value goods. In addition, door-to-door, DDP and other service modes are becoming more and more popular among small and medium-sized enterprises and cross-border sellers. Different modes of transportation involve different costs, time, and customs clearance requirements. Choosing a suitable logistics solution is particularly important to ensure the supply cycle and control costs.
As a logistics service provider focusing on China-South Korea transportation, Ubest Shipping provides a one-stop freight solution covering major ports and airports in China to ensure that your goods can be delivered smoothly and efficiently to all parts of South Korea.
How to Ship from China to South Korea
Shipping goods from China to South Korea is one of the most frequent and mature international logistics routes in East Asia. Common modes of transportation mainly include sea and air transportation. Sea transportation is suitable for large-volume cargo transportation, while air transportation is more suitable for time-sensitive or high-value goods. Enterprises or individuals can flexibly choose according to factors such as the type of goods, transportation time, and budget.
Before starting transportation, you first need to prepare relevant documents, including invoices, packing lists, contracts, and bills of lading. At the same time, you should also ensure that the packaging of the goods meets the requirements of customs and transportation companies to avoid damage or delays during transit.
The shipper should also understand the receiving conditions of the port of destination or airport, especially in South Korea, where different ports may have slightly different inspection standards and processes for imported goods. Working with an experienced logistics agent can effectively avoid these potential problems.
In addition, it is necessary to reasonably arrange the delivery time in combination with factors such as South Korea’s holidays and busy port periods to avoid transportation delays caused by port congestion or customs clearance delays.
Sea Freight from China to South Korea
Sea freight from China to South Korea is one of the most cost-effective modes of transportation, especially for full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) cargo transportation. With short voyages and frequent flights, it is one of the most commonly used channels for Chinese exporters. Common departure ports include Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, Tianjin, etc., and the destination ports are mostly major ports in South Korea such as Busan and Incheon.
Full container load is suitable for large or heavy goods, and the use of 20-foot or 40-foot containers can effectively control unit costs. LCL is suitable for small batches of goods with less than a full container, suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises or trial shipments.
Generally speaking, the voyage from Chinese ports to Korean ports is about 2-5 days, with stable and frequent shipping schedules, basically daily liner services, and the cost is much lower than air transportation. Some ports also support roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) transportation, which can be used for the export of machinery and equipment or vehicles.
After customs clearance in South Korea, the goods can be distributed to all parts of the country by truck transportation. If combined with door-to-door or DDP services, the overall transportation process will be more simplified and transparent.
Sea Freight from China to South Korea Service Types
When shipping goods from China to South Korea by sea, there are several types of services to consider:
- Full Container Load (FCL): This service is ideal for businesses that have enough cargo to fill an entire container. FCL shipping has a lower unit price and there is less risk of damage because the cargo is not mixed with other goods.
- Less Than Container Load (LCL): LCL shipping is an effective option for smaller quantities of cargo that cannot fill a single container. This service saves costs by consolidating multiple shipments into a single container.
- Refrigerated Shipping: For temperature-sensitive goods such as food or pharmaceuticals, refrigerated containers equipped with refrigeration technology are essential. These containers maintain a specific temperature throughout the entire journey.
- Breakbulk Shipping: This service is for large or heavy cargo that cannot be transported in containers. Breakbulk shipping requires cargo to be loaded separately, so it requires specialized handling.
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): RoRo ships are designed for vehicles and machinery, allowing cargo to be loaded directly onto the ship. This method is very effective for transporting cars and heavy equipment.
Air Freight from China to South Korea
Air freight is a fast and safe mode of transportation, suitable for high-value, urgent, perishable or light and small goods. There are many air transport routes from China to South Korea, especially from major airports such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing to Incheon Airport in South Korea, with multiple flights per day.
Air freight time can usually be completed within 1-3 days, including pickup, customs clearance, air transportation, destination customs clearance and other links. Some airlines also provide same-day or next-day delivery services, which are very suitable for cross-border e-commerce, electronic products, accessories or medical devices.
Air freight costs are relatively high and are usually charged by billable weight (actual weight or volume weight, whichever is larger). It is recommended to use standard air packaging before transportation to ensure that the goods are safe and correct during handling and security inspection.
It is worth noting that the Korean Customs also has strict declaration requirements for air import goods, especially when it involves trademarks, certifications or special goods (such as food, cosmetics, and electronic products), and relevant import licenses or certification materials must be prepared in advance.
Main Airports and Ports in South Korea
The main seaports in South Korea are Busan Port, Incheon Port, Gwangyang Port and Ulsan Port. Busan Port is the largest and busiest port in South Korea and one of the top ten container ports in the world. It is the main channel for Chinese goods to enter South Korea.
Incheon Port is close to Seoul and has developed transportation. It is an important port serving Gyeonggi Province and the metropolitan area, suitable for the rapid circulation of fast-moving consumer goods and livelihood goods.
In terms of aviation, Incheon International Airport is the most important international aviation hub in South Korea. It has advanced cargo facilities and high-speed customs clearance capabilities. It receives flights from major Chinese cities every day, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc.
Gimpo International Airport mainly undertakes domestic and some international routes in South Korea, suitable for short-distance distribution or transit needs in the metropolitan area.
These ports and airports form an efficient logistics network to support the huge bilateral trade between China and South Korea and ensure the rapid and safe delivery of goods.
Cost of shipping from China to South Korea
The cost of shipping from China to South Korea varies greatly, mainly depending on whether you choose air or sea freight. Air freight costs are usually $2 to $7 per kilogram, while sea freight costs are $500 to $1,500 for a 20-foot container and rail freight costs are $800 to $2,000 for a 40-foot container. You can refer to the table below:
| Shipping Method | Shipping From China to South Korea(Cost) |
|---|---|
| Sea Freight (20ft Container) | Approx. USD 550 for a 20ft container |
| Sea Freight (40ft Container) | Approx. USD 1,050 for a 40ft container |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | Approx. USD 50 per cubic meters (m3) |
| Air Freight | Approx. USD 300 for 100kg |
| Door to Door Shipping | Air Freight USD 4 to 8 per kgsSea Freight USD 80 – 200 per m3 |
| DDP Air Freight | Approx. USD 4 to 8 per kgs |
| DDP Sea Freight | Approx. USD 80 to 250 per cbm (m3) |
| Express Shipping | Approx. USD 8 per Kgs |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to South Korea
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of South Korea) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Busan | $500-$900 | $800 – $1950 |
| Shenzhen | Busan | $540 – $850 | $820 – $1850 |
| Ningbo | Busan | $500 – $850 | $830 – $1990 |
| Shanghai | Incheon | $520 – $900 | $810 – $1800 |
| Shenzhen | Incheon | $520 – $840 | $830 – $1950 |
| Ningbo | Incheon | $520 – $850 | $800 – $2050 |
| Shanghai | Gwangyang | $550 – $810 | $820 – $1940 |
| Shenzhen | Gwangyang | $525 – $870 | $840 – $1850 |
| Ningbo | Gwangyang | $530 – $850 | $820 – $1900 |
How long does it take to ship from China to South Korea?
Sea freight from major ports in China to South Korea usually takes 3 to 10 days, depending on the departure port, route, and port congestion in both countries. Air freight takes 2 to 5 days. Final shipping time may vary due to factors such as space availability, congestion, weather, etc.
| Port of Origin (China) | Port of Destination (South Korea) | Estimated Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Busan | 3-7 days |
| Shenzhen | Incheon | 4-10 days |
| Ningbo | Gwangyang | 3-8 days |
| Qingdao | Busan | 4-9 days |
| Guangzhou | Pyeongtaek | 3-10 days |
Door to Door Shipping from China to South Korea
Door to Door Shipping is a “one-stop logistics solution” suitable for customers who want to simplify the process and save time. The service covers the entire process of picking up goods from Chinese suppliers, domestic transportation, sea/air transportation, customs clearance in South Korea and delivery, and customers do not need to intervene in complex operation procedures.
This service is usually provided by comprehensive logistics companies. Customers only need to provide the necessary cargo information and delivery addresses, and then wait for the goods to be delivered at home or in the warehouse. It is especially suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises or cross-border e-commerce platforms that are not familiar with logistics operations.
Door-to-door service is usually combined with air or sea transportation, and is flexibly matched according to transportation time and budget. For example, large goods are shipped door to door by sea, while small or urgent items are shipped by air, ensuring both economical and efficient.
Ubest Shipping can customize personalized transportation solutions according to customer needs, including document preparation, customs clearance assistance, delivery time appointment, etc., to provide customers with a worry-free, labor-saving and time-saving service experience.
DDP Shipping from China to South Korea
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is a service where the shipper bears all transportation costs and import taxes. It is suitable for customers who have high requirements for logistics transparency and cost control. In freight from China to South Korea, DDP service is increasingly favored by companies. Most door-to-door shipping from China to South Korea will choose DDP terms.
DDP Shipping includes picking up goods, export customs clearance, sea/air transportation, import customs clearance, tariff payment and final delivery. The consignee does not need to bear any taxes or handle customs clearance matters, and can focus on sales and warehousing management.
Door-to-Door (DDP) Shipping Process from China to South Korea
- Booking and Shipment Preparation
Contact a Freight Forwarder: Contact a reliable freight forwarder to arrange shipment, providing details such as the nature of the goods, weight, volume and preferred mode of transportation (air or sea).
Packaging: Ensure that the goods are properly packed, labeled and ready for transportation. The necessary documents (commercial invoice, packing list, certificates, etc.) should be prepared in advance. - Pick up from Supplier
Pick up: The freight forwarder arranges to pick up the goods from the supplier’s location or your warehouse in China.
Transport to Port/Airport: Depending on the mode of transportation (sea or air), the goods will be transported to the designated departure port or airport. - China Export Customs Clearance
Customs Clearance: The freight forwarder assists in completing China Export Customs Clearance, ensuring that all documents are submitted and approved. - China to South Korea Transportation
Air Freight: Air freight refers to the transfer of goods via direct or group flights. The transportation time is usually 2-5 days.
Ocean Freight: Ocean freight means loading the goods into containers (FCL or LCL) and shipping them to Korea. The shipping time is usually 3-10 days. - Korea import customs clearance
Korea customs clearance: After the goods arrive at the destination port (Pusan, Incheon, etc.) or airport (Incheon, Gimpo, etc.), the freight forwarder will handle the import customs clearance procedures. Submit the necessary documents (bill of lading/airway bill, commercial invoice, etc.) to the Korean customs. - Final delivery to the destination
Transport to the final destination: Once customs are cleared, the goods are transported from the port or airport to the final delivery location, whether it is a business address, warehouse or private residence.
Goods delivery: Door-to-door service is completed when the goods arrive at the recipient’s address in Korea.
Customs Clearance and Duties from China to South Korea
The customs clearance process in South Korea is relatively strict, but as long as the relevant documents are prepared, it can generally be completed within 1-2 working days. The documents that must be provided usually include commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading (or air waybills), certificates of origin (if necessary), etc.
Some products such as cosmetics, food, and electronic products may require additional import permits or KC certification. It is recommended to consult the agent to confirm the required qualifications before shipment to avoid customs clearance delays.
South Korea’s import tariffs are classified according to the HS code of the goods. The tariff rate of most goods is between 0%-8%, and a 10% value-added tax (VAT) is also required. When transporting through the DDP mode, these costs are borne by the shipper, and the consignee can be exempted from the declaration and tax payment process.
Ubest Shipping can assist customers in calculating customs clearance fees and assist in declaration to ensure compliance with declarations and fast customs clearance. If you encounter special circumstances such as inspections, you can also provide on-site agency services to help customers solve problems smoothly.
Freight forwarding company from China to South Korea
Choosing an experienced and reliable freight forwarder from China Shipping to South Korea is of great significance to ensure the safety of goods, reduce logistics costs, and deal with emergencies. A good agent is not only an executor, but also a designer of logistics solutions and a problem solver.
An excellent agent should have a complete transportation network, be familiar with China and South Korea’s import and export regulations, and be able to handle various types of goods, including general goods, dangerous goods, sensitive goods, etc. At the same time, it should be able to provide flexible transportation options, such as FCL, LCL, air express, door to door, DDP, etc.
Ubest Shipping has many years of experience in China-South Korea transportation, with a dedicated customer service and operation team, supporting real-time tracking, fast customs declaration, transparent freight rates and other services. We also provide customers with pre-clearance solutions and destination compliance consultation to ensure that every shipment is smooth and worry-free.