Detailed Guide to Shipping Goods from China to South Korea​

Detailed Guide to Shipping Goods from China to South Korea​

China and South Korea are geographically adjacent, and trade exchanges are very active. The types of goods exported from China to South Korea are very diverse, covering various fields such as electronic components, chemical raw materials, and processed agricultural products. Convenient transportation routes and diverse transportation methods provide strong support for trade between the two countries. Understanding the characteristics and procedures of different transportation methods can make cargo transportation more efficient and smooth. The following details the specific situation of transporting various goods from China to South Korea.​

I. Transportation Methods and Suitable Goods​

(I) Maritime Transport​

Maritime transport is one of the commonly used methods in China-South Korea cargo transportation, suitable for transporting large quantities of goods. The transportation time from ports in China such as Qingdao, Dalian, and Shanghai to ports in South Korea such as Busan, Incheon, and Ulsan is relatively short, usually 1-3 days. The main transported goods include chemical raw materials (polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic rubber, etc.), steel (hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled steel plates, etc.), and processed agricultural products (frozen vegetables, canned fruits, processed aquatic products, etc.). For example, when a Chinese chemical enterprise exports a batch of polyethylene raw materials to a South Korean petrochemical company, it uses 20-foot container maritime transport. This not only meets the production needs of the other party but also reduces transportation costs by taking advantage of the cost advantage of short-distance maritime transport.​

(II) Air Transport​

Air transport is very fast and suitable for high-value, urgent, or time-sensitive goods. The direct flight time from major airports in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Qingdao to Incheon International Airport in Seoul and Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea is only 1-2 hours. Commonly transported goods include electronic components (semiconductor chips, display modules, precision resistors, etc.), high-end cosmetic raw materials (plant extracts, active ingredients, etc.), and fresh food (fresh seafood, high-end fruits, etc., which require cold chain transportation). For example, a South Korean electronics company is in urgent need of a batch of semiconductor chips produced in China for mobile phone production. Through air transport, the chips can be delivered on the same day, ensuring the normal operation of the production line.​

(III) Land Transport​

Land transport mainly involves transferring goods to South Korea through the China-North Korea border or via short-distance maritime connections. It is suitable for goods sent from Northeast China to South Korea, with a transportation time of about 2-5 days and low cost. It is suitable for transporting daily necessities (plastic products, ceramic tableware, small hardware, etc.) and textile fabrics (knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, lace fabrics, etc.). For example, a textile factory in Liaoning, China transports a batch of knitted fabrics by land to Dandong Port, then sends them to Incheon, South Korea via short-distance maritime transport. This land-sea combined transportation method is flexible and convenient, enabling quick response to the needs of South Korean customers.​

(IV) International Express​

International couriers such as EMS, DHL, and FedEx provide door-to-door services, with a time required of about 1-2 days, suitable for small items, samples, and documents. Business contracts, small electronic product samples (smart bracelets, Bluetooth headphone samples), jewelry, cosmetic samples, etc. are often transported by express. A Chinese cosmetics company sends new product samples to South Korean distributors via EMS express, which can arrive the next day, making it convenient for distributors to carry out market promotion quickly.​

II. Key Transportation Processes​

(I) Choosing a Transportation Agent​

Choosing a transportation agent who is familiar with China-South Korea trade rules and transportation routes can efficiently handle procedures such as customs declaration and customs entry. They have more experience especially in dealing with South Korea’s strict quarantine requirements. You can select by investigating the cooperation cases and customer feedback of the agency company. For example, if you give priority to an agent with experience in transporting fresh food to South Korea, they can handle cold chain transportation and quarantine certificates well.​

(II) Cargo Packaging and Compliance Handling​

1. Packaging Requirements: Fragile products such as glass products and ceramic crafts must be wrapped in multiple layers with foam and bubble film and placed in sturdy cardboard boxes; liquid goods such as chemical reagents must use leak-proof containers and affix Korean danger signs; precision electronic components must adopt anti-static packaging to prevent damage caused by static electricity.​

2. Compliance Preparation: South Korea has strict standard requirements for imported goods. For example, electronic components must meet KC certification, and food products must provide health certificates and ingredient analysis reports. When transporting goods with wooden packaging, pest control treatment must be carried out and certificates issued to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. For example, when transporting a batch of wooden toys to South Korea, pest control treatment and certificates must be provided; otherwise, they may not pass South Korean customs inspection.​

(III) Customs Declaration and Clearance Procedures​

1. Export Customs Declaration: Exporters must prepare documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and customs declaration authorizations and declare to Chinese customs. For goods that require export licenses, such as some chemical products, relevant certificates must be processed in advance.​

2. Import Customs Clearance: After the goods arrive in South Korea, the consignee must submit documents such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and KC certification (if applicable) to South Korean customs. South Korean customs inspect the goods and collect tariffs and value-added taxes. The tax rate varies according to the type of goods, and generally, the tariff for electronic products is about 8%-10%.​

(IV) Transportation Tracking and Risk Prevention and Control​

Use the online tracking system provided by the transportation company or transportation agent to grasp the transportation status of the goods in real-time. For high-value goods, it is recommended to take out transportation insurance, and the insurance scope can include risks such as loss, damage, and delay. For example, when transporting a batch of high-end cosmetic raw materials to South Korea, taking out transportation insurance can obtain economic compensation in case of an accident with the goods, reducing losses.​

In addition, attention should be paid to South Korea’s restrictions on some imported goods. Some pharmaceuticals, pirated goods, etc. are prohibited from entering the country. Before transportation, it is necessary to confirm whether the goods meet South Korea’s import standards to avoid unnecessary problems.​

To transport goods from China to South Korea, it is necessary to flexibly choose the transportation method based on the characteristics and needs of the goods, strictly comply with the procedures of each link to ensure that the goods arrive safely and on time, and provide guarantees for the continuous development of China-South Korea trade.​