China is Korea’s largest trading partner, largest export market and largest source of imports.

Looking for reliable and efficient transport from China to South Korea? With CFC as your logistics partner, you are assured of fast and smooth handling of your transport. You can streamline your entire supply chain with CFC’s experience and expertise. We’ll arrange the entire logistics process for the fastest possible delivery of your goods, at any destination in Korea.

Korea Customs

Import clearance refers to a series of procedures for the release of imported goods. The importer declares goods to be imported to the Head of a customs, who would accept the declaration if it is legitimate according to the Customs Act and other regulations. Customs then issue the certificate of import declaration to the declarant to ensure that the imported goods are legitimately declared.

All these procedures are dealt with in the KCS online-based electronic clearance system, UNIPASS – unipass.customs.go.kr.

• Basic document : an import declaration form (through the EDI, or Internet)
• Additional documents : an invoice, a packing list, a B/L, a C/O, a certificate of inspection (Quarantine), etc.

Korea has a flat 10 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on all imports.

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership – RCEP

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is an agreement under which the countries that have signed it provide each other with exclusive trade benefits by abolishing tariffs and other barriers to trade in goods and services between the countries.

The RCEP, considered the largest FTA of world trade, is between the ten ASEAN members (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and China, South Korea, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

The RCEP entered into force for Korea on Feb. 1, 2022.

RCEP Tariff Rates

A preferential CO allows the importer to pay lower or no customs duty when the trade under a Free Trade Agreement. With the certificate of origin – Form RCEP, preferential tariff rates are applied. Almost all China exports to Korea under the FTA are duty-free.

Contact CFC to issue your own certificate of origin – Form RCEP to benefit from the China-Korea FTA.

Sea Freight from China to Korea

With our extensive expertise, you can be sure that however large or small your sea freight requirements, we can handle them effortlessly. We’re specialists in international shipping, so whether you’re sending a full load to South Korea or a part load to South Korea, your consignment will be in very safe hands.

We’re dedicated to simplifying the process of exporting goods from China to Korea, and to that end, we offer a door-to-door service.

Top Container Ports in Korea

99.7% of South Korea’s import and export volume is transported by sea.

Busan Port is the largest port in South Korea, followed by Gwangyang Port, Ulsan Port and Incheon Port. China is the largest trading destination for Busan Port and Incheon Port.

• Busan Port serves as a hub connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Asian continent.
• Incheon Port is the largest port on the west coast of South Korea and the outer port of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, less than 40 kilometers away from Seoul.

Sea Freight Cost from China to Korea

FCL sea freight offers the advantage of being cost-effective, faster transit time, and lower potential for damage compared to LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping. FCL means your goods fill an entire container, either 20’ or 40’ long. If you are shipping at a high volume, you’ll save time and money by shipping FCL. Pricing for FCL is done as a flat rate, regardless of whether or not your container is completely full.

LCL sea freight is a shipping method suitable for smaller shipments that do not fill an entire container, and will be shipped along with other parcels or pallets. However, LCL shipping has some disadvantages, such as longer transit times, higher costs per unit, and a higher chance of damage due to the need for consolidation and deconsolidation of goods at the origin and destination ports.

⬇️How much is shipping to a business address in Korea by SEA?⬇️

51KG+	101KG+	201KG+	301KG+
₩2,650/kg	₩2,250/kg	₩2,150/kg	₩2,000/kg

Sea Freight Transit Time from China to Korea

Shipping time China to Korea is around 2-4 days for goods shipped by sea in a dedicated shipping container. For goods sent in a part load container the shipping time to Korea is around 5-6 days.

Air Freight from China to Korea

The number one reason to choose air freight is its speed, and even more so for deliveries in South Korea. Since China is not too far from South Korea, the actual flights will take only a day at most. However, that does not take into account the other legs of the journey, such as trucks or vans for cargo pickup and last mile or customs clearance.

Urgent air freight shipments can be sent on a priority basis ensuring the quickest transit times. Air waybills will be sent to you for approval before the shipment leaves to ensure there are no delays when the shipment reaches South Korea.

Top Airports in Korea

Incheon International Airport (ICN) is by far the largest airport in South Korea. It is located in the city of Incheon, about 48 kilometers west of Seoul.

Other major airports are:

• Busan Gimhae International Airport – PUS
• Jeju International Airport – CJU
• Seoul Gimpo International Airport – GMP

Air Freight Cost from China to Korea

Air freight shipping rates are often calculated using the higher actual volumetric weight. Remember that volumetric weight refers to the amount of space the cargo volume takes up and is also referred to as dimensional weight.

The following calculation is used to determine the chargeable weight of air cargo: length x height x width/6000 = volumetric weight in kilograms rounded up to the nearest 0.5 kilograms. If the volumetric weight is bigger than the actual weight, then the chargeable weight will be the Volumetric weight. Otherwise, it will be the actual weight.

The air rate from China to the South Korea is influenced by various factors. These include the delivery time required, the size and weight of the shipment, the airport of departure/arrival, handling requirements, fuel costs, market demand. By considering these factors, shippers can make informed decisions to manage and optimize the cost of shipping.

⬇️How much is shipping to a business address in Korea by AIR?⬇️

22KG+	51KG+	101KG+	201KG+	301KG+
₩7,650/kg	₩7,400/kg	₩7,000/kg	₩6,700/kg	₩6,300/kg

Air Freight Transit Time from China to Korea

Air shipping time to Korea is around 1-2 days. We offer daily departures from major China airports so delivery time from China to Korea is normally no longer than 3 days.

Express shipping normally takes 3 days for door-to-door delivery between China and Korea. If your express shipments have a high-profit margin, you might wish to use this option to get your shipments to Korea’s major cities and offer timely delivery.

Working with CFC

CFC is a leading freight forwarder company with over 20 years of experience. We offer you reliable service, fast shipping times and competitive rates for your shipment from China to South Korea by air, sea FCL and LCL. Our team will get all necessary documents prepared in order that they are easy to understand which includes cargo insurance as well customs clearance at both ends.

CFC can manage all your shipping needs from China to Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Suwon-si, Ulsan or any city in South Korea.

Start Shipping Today