🚢 Sea Freight

South Korea Sea Freight DDP from China — Door-to-Door to Seoul Quote, EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF and other services

China → South Korea · USD

📋 Contents

💰 Current Freight Rates

Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.

Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What

The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to South Korea is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.

Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.

Responsibility for each shipment stage under each Incoterms rule
Term	1 Loading on truck	2 Export customs declaration	3 Carriage to port of export	4 Unloading at port of export	5 Loading on vessel / aircraft	6 Main carriage	7 Cargo insurance	8 Unloading at port of import	9 Loading on truck at import	10 Carriage to destination	11 Import customs clearance	12 Import duties & taxes
EXW Ex Works	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck	Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export	Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Buyer Buyer — Main carriage	Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FCA Free Carrier	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export	Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Buyer Buyer — Main carriage	Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FAS Free Alongside Ship	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Buyer Buyer — Main carriage	Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FOB Free On Board	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Buyer Buyer — Main carriage	Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CFR Cost and Freight	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Seller Seller — Main carriage	Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Seller Seller — Main carriage	Seller Seller — Cargo insurance	Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CPT Carriage Paid To	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Seller Seller — Main carriage	Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import	Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import	Seller Seller — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Seller Seller — Main carriage	Seller Seller — Cargo insurance	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import	Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import	Seller Seller — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Seller Seller — Main carriage	Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import	Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import	Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DAP Delivered At Place	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Seller Seller — Main carriage	Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import	Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import	Seller Seller — Carriage to destination	Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance	Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DDP Delivered Duty Paid	Seller Seller — Loading on truck	Seller Seller — Export customs declaration	Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export	Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft	Seller Seller — Main carriage	Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance	Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import	Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import	Seller Seller — Carriage to destination	Seller Seller — Import customs clearance	Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes

EXW Ex Works

Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.

FCA Free Carrier

Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.

FAS Free Alongside Ship

Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.

FOB Free On Board

Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.

CFR Cost and Freight

Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.

CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight

As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).

CPT Carriage Paid To

Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.

CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid

As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.

DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)

Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.

DAP Delivered At Place

Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.

DDP Delivered Duty Paid

Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.

Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.

📋 Service Details

South Korea Sea Freight from China: routing and transit

This is our sea freight service from China to South Korea. Departure is from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Yiwu or Shanghai; entry is through Busan, Incheon, Gwangyang, 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.

Sea Freight from China to South Korea — cargo handling at the departure terminal — Handling on the China–South Korea sea freight routing.

Route facts

Destination country	South Korea
Region	Asia Pacific
Mode	Sea Freight
Gateways used	Busan, Incheon, Gwangyang
Transit, China to gateway	2–5 calendar 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. Sea Freight guide →
China to Incheon — port and airport city with the shortest inland leg. Via ICN air / Incheon sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Busan — the country's largest port and transshipment hub. Via PUS air / Busan sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Gyeonggi — the industrial province surrounding Seoul. Via ICN air / Incheon sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Daegu — textile and machinery manufacturing centre. Via ICN air / Busan sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Daejeon — research and technology corridor. Via ICN air / Incheon sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Gwangju — south-western industrial city. Via ICN air / Gwangyang sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Ulsan — shipbuilding, automotive and petrochemical base. Via PUS air / Ulsan sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Changwon — machinery and precision manufacturing cluster. Via PUS air / Busan sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
China to Cheonan — display and semiconductor supply corridor. Via ICN air / Pyeongtaek sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →

All South Korea freight information →

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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
Bill of lading
Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them

Export packing and consolidation for South Korea-bound cargo — Consolidation and carton marking before departure.

Packing notes

Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
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

Air Freight from China to 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 sea gateways	Busan, Incheon, Gwangyang
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 Sea Route

This page covers a Sea freight service from China to South Korea. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.

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3D Container Loading Planner

Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this South Korea route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.

Open Container Planner →

✅ South Korea Sea Freight Checklist

Photograph the container number, seal, and loading process for insurance evidence.
Declare accurate gross weight — VGM misdeclaration delays vessels and triggers fines.
Confirm whether your South Korea rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
Check pallet vs floor-loading: floor loading typically fits 8-12% more cartons per container.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to South Korea take?

Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar 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.

Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to South Korea?

Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Busan, Incheon, Gwangyang. Surcharges apply.

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.

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 documents are required for customs clearance in South Korea?

Korea Customs Service (관세청) typically requires a commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading/air waybill, a certificate of origin (may lower duty), and any product certification (KC certification for electrical and radio products; personal customs clearance code (PCCC) required for every B2C consignee). We file these under DDP.

Inland Delivery Coverage — South Korea

We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.

Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.

Seoul ICN air / Incheon sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Incheon ICN air / Incheon sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Busan PUS air / Busan sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Gyeonggi ICN air / Incheon sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Daegu ICN air / Busan sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
Daejeon ICN air / Incheon sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Gwangju ICN air / Gwangyang sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
Ulsan PUS air / Ulsan sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
Changwon PUS air / Busan sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Cheonan ICN air / Pyeongtaek sea inland same day Guide only — no rates

All South Korea destination guides →

Shipping South Korea cargo by industry

This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.

All 139 industry guides →

📞 Contact Us

Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.