Container Shipping to South Korea — Get Instant Quotes

Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to South Korea?

• Full coverage of Korea’s busiest gateways. We work directly with terminals in Busan, Incheon, Gwangyang and Pyeongtaek, giving you more weekly sailings and faster cut-offs. korea.net
• Mode flexibility. Competitive FCL, LCL and time-critical air-freight options through Incheon International Airport, the world’s #3 cargo hub (-2024). airport.kr
• Paperwork made simple. Our platform pre-populates Korea Customs’ required invoice, packing-list and Certificate-of-Origin fields, reducing clearance errors. customs.go.kr, trade.gov
• Real-time tracking. End-to-end visibility from pickup to final delivery, including milestone alerts in Korean Standard Time.
• Local compliance support. Specialists advise on HS codes, phytosanitary rules and free-trade-agreement duty savings for qualifying goods.

Our Container Shipping Services to South Korea

South Korea’s high-tech economy generates steady inbound demand for components, machinery and chemicals. Here’s how we tailor each service:

Full Container Load (FCL)

• Most-used mode: Over 24 million TEU moved through Busan alone in 2024, so importers favor FCL for scale and schedule reliability.
• Typical cargo: automotive parts, semiconductor equipment, industrial machinery, bulk chemicals.
• Key ports served: Busan (KRPUS), Incheon (KRINC), Gwangyang (KRKAN).
• Indicative transit times:
  • Los Angeles → Busan: ≈ 14 days port-to-port.
  • Hamburg → Busan: ≈ 45 days port-to-port.
  
  


• Challenges / tips: Book early for Golden Week and Chuseok peaks; verify fumigation certificates for wood packaging.

Less than Container Load (LCL)

• Ideal for SMEs shipping ≤14 CBM. Weekly consolidations via Busan and Incheon keep dwell times low.
• Popular commodities: consumer electronics accessories, fashion, specialty foods.
• Cost saver: Pay only for the space you use while still accessing the same customs-clearance support as FCL.

Air Freight — The Fast Alternative

When lead-times matter (e.g., urgent prototypes or temperature-sensitive samples):

• Routing: Major uplifts into Incheon (ICN) and Gimhae (PUS).
• Speed: 1–3 days global transit; LAX → TAE flight time ≈ 20 hrs.
• Use cases: just-in-time electronics, high-value pharmaceuticals, AOG (aircraft-on-ground) spares.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to South Korea?

*Port-to-port averages; door-to-door adds origin pickup and inland haulage.

Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to South Korea

• Busan – Korea’s primary container gateway and sixth-busiest port worldwide.
• Incheon – Preferred for cargo bound for the Seoul metropolitan area; integrated sea-air connections at ICN.
• Gwangyang – Handles steel and petrochemical cargoes, offering overflow capacity from Busan.
• Pyeongtaek-Dangjin – Strategic for automotive supply chains north of Busan.

Top ocean lanes: Los Angeles / Long Beach, Shanghai, Ningbo, Singapore, Rotterdam.

Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers

1. Get an instant quote online for FCL, LCL or air.
2. Confirm booking and upload commercial documents.
3. Arrange pickup or deliver cargo to the designated CFS/terminal.
4. Track your shipment with milestone alerts (departure, transshipment, arrival).
5. Customs clearance & final delivery to door or warehouse in South Korea.

What Can You Ship in a Container to South Korea?

Common Commodities

• Electronics parts & finished goods
• Automotive components
• Industrial machinery & tooling
• Specialty and petro-chemicals
• Packaged foods & beverages (requires KFDA compliance)

Restricted or Prohibited Goods

• Firearms, narcotics, counterfeit currency, and materials violating CITES are prohibited
• Additional permits required for certain agricultural items, health products and radio-frequency devices.
• All shipments must be supported by an invoice, packing list, B/L and (when applicable) Certificate of Origin.