Sending & receiving parcels in Korea.

Korea Post, DHL or FedEx?

Korea Post (우체국, ucheguk) is the national postal service and usually the cheapest way to send personal parcels. Private express couriers such as DHL Express and FedEx cost more but add door-to-door pickup and faster, time-definite delivery. Not every service runs to every country, and prices depend on actual and volumetric weight.

Posting a parcel from Korea

You can send a parcel abroad even with very little Korean. Bring the full addresses and know what is inside.

1. 01
   Pack

   Use a sturdy box; many post offices sell them. Don't seal items that may need inspection until you've checked the rules.

2. 02
   Addresses

   Recipient's full name, street address, city, postcode, country and phone number — plus your Korean return address and mobile number.

3. 03
   Choose

   Ask to compare EMS, air and surface parcel, or get a DHL/FedEx quote for urgent documents.

4. 04
   Declare

   List contents, quantity, weight, value and purpose on the customs declaration.

5. 05
   Pay and track

   Check the address on the receipt, keep the tracking number and follow it on the carrier's site.

Completing a customs declaration

International parcels containing goods generally need a declaration, even for gifts and used belongings. Korea Post uses CN22 (short form, certain mail items) and CN23 (detailed form, used for merchandise via EMS); couriers use their own waybill and, for goods, a commercial or pro-forma invoice.

Getting and using a PCCC

The Personal Customs Clearance Code (개인통관고유부호, gaein tonggwan goyu buho) identifies you when personal goods enter Korea. It starts with P followed by 12 digits. Foreign residents ordering from overseas retailers should use it rather than an ARC or passport number.

Post versus courier: how parcels clear customs

Postal items (Korea Post / overseas postal services) and express courier shipments (DHL, FedEx and others) clear customs through different procedures. Many low-value, straightforward items clear on the sender's information; others need you to respond.

Filing a simplified postal declaration

If customs holds a postal item and sends you a notice, you can usually submit the simplified clearance application online through UNI-PASS. Alternatively, the official Mobile Customs app (모바일 관세청, mobail gwansecheong) provides a postal simplified-clearance function. Follow the current instructions on your customs notice, since online menus and submission requirements can change.

1. 01
   Enter the item

   Enter the postal item number and the arrival details from your notice.

2. 02
   Review

   Check the retrieved shipment matches your parcel.

3. 03
   Declare

   Complete the application: declared contents, value, shipping charges and purpose of receipt.

4. 04
   Verify

   Complete identity verification and submit, then keep your confirmation.

Will I pay customs duty?

A common starting point for personal imports is a US$150 threshold, with a special US$200 limit for eligible express list-clearance shipments from the United States. Rules differ by shipping method, origin and product — these are guidelines, not a tax-free allowance.

What causes problems

A product sold legally in Korea is not necessarily allowed in the mail. Check Korea Post or the courier's restrictions — and the destination country's — before you buy something to send.

Tracking, held parcels and scam messages

“Customs clearance in progress” usually just means routine processing. If it persists or a notice arrives, check recipient details, proof of value, outstanding duties and whether the contents need approval. Don't ignore a formal notice — storage, return and disposal deadlines can apply.