What is the best way to ship to South Korea?
When shipping to South Korea, you must have all of the required paperwork to be familiar with the various customs clearance procedures. It’s also necessary to note that all B2C shipments require the use of a PCCC (Personal Customs Clearance Code).
Shipping to South Korea: Product Specific Specifications
When shipping to South Korea, what documents do I need?
You must have an air waybill and a commercial invoice, as with any foreign shipment. If your country has a trade deal with South Korea, you will also need a preferential statement to take advantage of lower customs duties.
Invoice for services rendered
It’s important to include a commercial invoice with a concise product summary and both shipper and receiver information to prevent unnecessary delays at customs.
The data on the commercial invoice must be correct and written in English. Make sure to provide a comprehensive product overview and the product name, HS code, and country of origin.
For B2C exports, commercial invoices should also contain the receiver’s contact information and their Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC).
All figures must be in US dollars. You must also specify the price per item and the exact quantity of each item to be delivered. Check for spelling errors and incorrect abbreviations since these may also cause delays.
Statement of preference
This document verifies where a product was manufactured and is needed when applying for reduced customs duties under a free trade agreement with South Korea. It can come from the maker, the manufacturer, or the exporter.
Have it on the commercial invoice or some other goods-related paper. Keep in mind that it must obey a standard template, such as the one below, to be accurate.
What is a PCCC (Personal Customs Clearance Code), and how do I obtain one?
It’s a 12-digit number with a ‘P’ prefix that the South Korean government issues to its people. When shipping goods in and out of the country, a PCCC helps individuals to clear customs.
Citizens of South Korea may create a PCCC online or request one from the customs office. Instead of a PCCC, foreigners residing in South Korea can use their nationality and passport number.
Businesses and individuals from member countries will benefit from reduced customs tariffs and/or streamlined procedures thanks to South Korea’s trade agreements (Free) trade agreements. South Korea has trade agreements with 25 countries and territories as of February 2020, with more being negotiated.
The following are the three main free trade agreements (FTAs):
- The European Union (EU) (EU FTA)
- The United States of America (KORUS FTA)
- China is a country that has a (KR-CN FTA)
The International Trade Center’s database contains comprehensive information on all South Korean trade agreements and the paperwork needed for each.
When a shipment reaches South Korea, it will go through a formal or informal customs process, depending on the value of the goods being transported and any applicable regulations.
Clearance was given informally
Informal clearance is a quick and easy customs process that doesn’t necessitate using a customs broker or any additional paperwork. Informal A and Informal B are the two forms of informal clearance procedures used in South Korea. While both procedures are simple, only Informal A allows for duty-free imports.
Formal approval
For high-value, bulk, or regulated goods, formal clearance, or freight mode, is used. This procedure necessitates the payment of duties in advance, extra paperwork, and the supervision of a customs broker. The receiver has the option of using their broker or one recommended by the carrier.
