💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
📋 Service Details
South Korea Air Freight from China: routing and transit
This is our air freight service from China to South Korea. Departure is from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Yiwu or Shanghai; entry is through ICN (Incheon), PUS (Busan Gimhae), with clearance handled by Korea Customs Service (관세청).
Korea is the shortest sea lane from North China — Qingdao or Weihai to Incheon can be 2–3 days, and the sea-air combination via Incheon is a well-established cost saver for cargo continuing to Europe or the Americas. The China–Korea FTA cuts duty on a large share of manufactured goods if the origin certificate is prepared correctly.
Route facts
| Destination country | South Korea |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia Pacific |
| Mode | Air Freight |
| Gateways used | ICN (Incheon), PUS (Busan Gimhae) |
| Transit, China to gateway | 1–3 business days |
| Clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Seoul — capital and the dominant consumer market. Via ICN air / Incheon sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Incheon — port and airport city with the shortest inland leg. Via ICN air / Incheon sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Busan — the country's largest port and transshipment hub. Via PUS air / Busan sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Gyeonggi — the industrial province surrounding Seoul. Via ICN air / Incheon sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Daegu — textile and machinery manufacturing centre. Via ICN air / Busan sea; inland leg +1 day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Daejeon — research and technology corridor. Via ICN air / Incheon sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Gwangju — south-western industrial city. Via ICN air / Gwangyang sea; inland leg +1 day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Ulsan — shipbuilding, automotive and petrochemical base. Via PUS air / Ulsan sea; inland leg +1 day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Changwon — machinery and precision manufacturing cluster. Via PUS air / Busan sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Cheonan — display and semiconductor supply corridor. Via ICN air / Pyeongtaek sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
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ℹ️ Additional Information
Duty, tax and documents for South Korea
VAT 10%; duty 8% general rate, with reductions under the China–Korea FTA on a valid certificate of origin. The de-minimis position is USD 150.
Conformity: KC certification for electrical and radio products; personal customs clearance code (PCCC) required for every B2C consignee.
Known friction points: Every B2C shipment needs the consignee's PCCC — missing codes are the single largest cause of held parcels. KC certification is mandatory for electricals. Food and cosmetics require MFDS clearance held by a local importer.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Air waybill
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into South Korea
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Korea Customs Service (관세청) or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to South Korea — Shipping Reference Data
| Main air gateways | ICN (Incheon), PUS (Busan Gimhae) |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Korea Customs Service (관세청) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | USD 150 |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 10%; duty 8% general rate, with reductions under the China–Korea FTA on a valid certificate of origin |
| Local currency | KRW |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 1–3 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | KC certification for electrical and radio products; personal customs clearance code (PCCC) required for every B2C consignee |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Air Route
This page covers a Air freight service from China to South Korea. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Carton Packing Calculator
Dimensional weight often decides the final air rate to South Korea. Simulate your carton fill in 3D, including mixed products in one box, and export the packing plan for your supplier.
Open Packing Tool →✅ South Korea Air Freight Checklist
- Keep single cartons under 30 KG for air handling to South Korea to avoid overweight surcharges.
- Lithium batteries and liquids need pre-approval on most air routes — declare them upfront.
- Confirm whether the South Korea rate includes fuel and security surcharges or lists them separately.
- Compare volumetric weight (L×W×H÷6000) with actual weight — the higher one is billed.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Air DDP Door-to-Door from China to South Korea take?
Air freight on this route runs about 5–10 business days door-to-door, plus roughly 1–3 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into South Korea?
Clearance is handled by Korea Customs Service (관세청). The regime is: VAT 10%; duty 8% general rate, with reductions under the China–Korea FTA on a valid certificate of origin, with a de-minimis position of USD 150. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
Which ports or airports does this route use into South Korea?
Sea cargo to South Korea clears through Busan, Incheon, Gwangyang; air freight clears via ICN (Incheon), PUS (Busan Gimhae). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
What certification is needed to import into South Korea?
For regulated goods, plan for: KC certification for electrical and radio products; personal customs clearance code (PCCC) required for every B2C consignee. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common clearance hold with Korea Customs Service (관세청), so confirm requirements for your HS code before shipping.
When does capacity tighten on the China–South Korea lane?
Space and rates tighten around Sep–Nov, plus the China-side windows of Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct). Book 1–2 weeks earlier in these periods.
What does DDP shipping to South Korea include on this route?
DDP means one price covering freight, the duty/tax owed to Korea Customs Service (관세청), and last-mile delivery to your door in South Korea. There are no surprise charges at destination.
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.