How to Ship Goods from South Korea to the United States: Customs, Costs, and Transit Times
- jaykim73
- 16 minutes ago
- 4 min read
South Korea is one of the United States’ most trusted trading partners—particularly for electronics, beauty products, automotive parts, and manufactured goods. As global eCommerce, sourcing, and B2B trade continue to scale, many businesses are looking to move goods between Korea and the U.S. more efficiently, securely, and affordably.
At Advanced International Freight, we specialize in supporting businesses that move goods globally. From small parcel to full container load, we deliver seamless shipping solutions tailored to your volume, urgency, and compliance requirements. In this guide, we walk you through the fundamentals of shipping from South Korea to the U.S., including costs, customs, and how to leverage services like ocean freight, air freight, and crossdocking to streamline your operations.
Why Ship from South Korea?
South Korea ranks among the top 10 global exporters and is consistently a top-five Asian trade partner with the U.S. Its manufacturing base is highly efficient, with competitive lead times, quality control, and a robust logistics infrastructure. Major exports to the U.S. include:
Consumer electronics and semiconductors
Beauty and skincare products
Fashion and accessories
Automotive parts and equipment
Medical devices and pharmaceuticals
Whether you’re a wholesaler, distributor, or eCommerce seller, understanding the logistics from port to port—and door to door—is key to maintaining reliability and margin control.
Should I Use Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
Your freight method will depend on delivery timelines, budget, and cargo volume.
Ocean Freight: Best for Cost-Efficiency at Scale
At Advanced International Freight, our ocean freight services support both FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipments departing from major ports like Busan and Incheon.
Typical transit times:
Busan to West Coast (LA/Long Beach): 14–18 days
Busan to East Coast (New York/New Jersey): 24–30 days
We offer full documentation support, and transloading or crossdocking at major U.S. ports to streamline inland delivery. If you're importing wholesale SKUs or palletized B2B orders, ocean freight remains the most economical option.
Air Freight: Speed and Precision
When speed is critical, air freight offers a 2–5 day door-to-door timeline from Incheon International Airport to U.S. hubs such as LAX, ORD, or JFK. This is ideal for high-value electronics, time-sensitive inventory, or product launches.
Our air freight division manages direct bookings, customs documentation, and high-velocity distribution—ideal for fast-moving eCommerce brands or just-in-time inventory models.
What Documentation Do I Need to Clear Customs to the U.S.?
Every shipment from Korea to the U.S. must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Proper documentation is critical to avoid delays or fines.
Essential documents include:
Commercial Invoice (detailing item, value, country of origin)
Packing List
Bill of Lading (for ocean) or Air Waybill (for air)
Certificate of Origin (especially for KORUS FTA duty benefits)
Importer Security Filing (ISF) for ocean shipments
Additional compliance documentation (FDA, FCC, etc., where applicable)
What does Freight from South Korea to the U.S. cost?
Shipping costs are influenced by cargo weight, volume, mode, and distance. Here are general guidelines for Korea–U.S. freight:
Freight Type | Average Transit Time | Estimated Cost Range |
FCL – 20' Container | 14–30 days | $2,500 – $3,200 |
FCL – 40' Container | 14–30 days | $3,800 – $5,000 |
LCL – per CBM | 18–30 days | $80 – $120 per CBM |
Air Freight – per kg | 2–5 days | $4.00 – $9.00 per kg |
Duties vary based on product classification, country of origin, and trade eligibility. Our Import/Export Trading specialists can help you determine your total landed cost and evaluate duty-saving strategies using trade programs or value declaration tools.
Additional Services to Consider
Shipping is only one piece of the import puzzle. To optimize your supply chain, consider the following:
Transloading: Unloading from containers and reloading onto domestic trucks for faster final delivery
Bonded Warehousing: Useful for deferred duty payment or consolidation
Cargo Insurance: Strongly recommended for high-value shipments
3PL Fulfillment: For eCommerce sellers needing U.S.-based inventory and last-mile logistics
Advanced International Freight offers all of the above as part of our integrated logistics support, streamlined through a single point of contact.
Best Practices for Smooth Korea–U.S. Shipping
Plan 2–4 weeks ahead for ocean freight, especially during peak seasons.
Use professional packing and palletization to prevent damage and reduce inspection risk.
Track every milestone with real-time visibility platforms.
Work with an experienced freight partner who understands both Korean and U.S. regulations.
Why Choose Advanced International Freight?
We are trusted by importers across industries—from beauty to manufacturing—for our comprehensive support across all logistics stages:
Ocean and Air Freight expertise with flexible carrier networks
In-house Customs Clearance for speed and accuracy
Import/Export Trading support with documentation and duty savings
Crossdocking and Transloading services at major U.S. ports
End-to-end tracking, compliance, and customer service
With a dedicated Korea–U.S. freight team and multilingual staff, we provide seamless, efficient, and transparent logistics solutions for every shipment.
Final Thoughts
Shipping from South Korea to the United States presents massive opportunities—but only if your freight strategy is aligned, compliant, and cost-effective. By leveraging the right shipping method, clearing customs accurately, and using advanced distribution methods like crossdocking and transloading, your business can reduce lead times and scale with confidence.
Ready to simplify your Korea–U.S. supply chain? Contact Advanced International Freight today for a tailored freight strategy, real-time rate quote, and expert-level guidance at every step.
