/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Shipping from China to South Korea

Handling international shipments is a complex process. It involves not only coordinating the actual shipping, but also getting the item through Chinese and Korean customs while making sure your company follows all regulations and doesn't violate any restrictions. This requires background knowledge, experience, and the ability to stay abreast of changes in the industry. That's why choosing the right freight forwarder for your company is crucial.

South Korean and Chinese flag pair on desk over defocused background. 
South Korean and Chinese flag pair on desk over defocused background. 

Before you are ready to export goods from China to South Korea, it is important to consider the following factors:

  • Customs regulations of both countries
  • Import and export policies and restrictions of various countries
  • Shipping documents
  • The transport method suitable for transporting the goods
  • Appropriate shipping route used by the selected shipping method

Finding a Chinese carrier that is affordable and can handle your shipping items efficiently will ensure that your needs are met, whether it's maximizing your company's profits or maintaining the integrity of your inventory. Even if you won't handle this process yourself, it's important to understand how it works so you can work with your forwarder to address logistics and potential pitfalls. TJ chinafreight is one of the most trusted international logistics companies in China, with partners in more than 100 countries around the world.

What you need to know about shipping from China to South Korea

Check Chinese and South Korean trade laws

When exporting and importing from China to South Korea, make sure you are aware of current regulations and restrictions. The two countries have different policies that change frequently, so it's important to stay informed. This is also the time to find out what documents you need to prepare to get your shipment through customs smoothly.

Prohibited and restricted items

Not all goods can be shipped, every country has restricted import and export of goods, some of these items are restricted or even banned completely, it is important to anticipate such shipments to avoid any problems, so before starting your shipping this is what you need to know.

Select shipping method

Before shipping your product, you must select a shipping method. Shipping method depends on your item type. If you don't know which shipping method is best for you, then we have a good suggestion for you. Shipping methods vary by product weight and quantity.

Shipping from China to South Korea

Sea ​​freight

South Korea is a country located in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. It borders North Korea, its only neighbor to the north. The country is surrounded by water, with the Yellow Sea to the east, the East China Sea to the south, and the Sea of ​​Japan to the west. As indirect neighbors, China, Japan and Russia are quickly reached by sea from South Korea. This situation explains why there are only two modes of freight that reach the country, sea and air. It influenced South Korea to build one of the world's greatest fleets and state-of-the-art port infrastructure.

Shipping time

Shipping to South Korea takes a long time, usually 5 to 8 working days, and some important issues are that these times are for normal circumstances. Sometimes unexpected events happen and they make the process a little longer!

Shipping fee

In general, ocean shipping is always privileged because of two big benefits: You can transfer large quantities of goods at very competitive prices. Regardless of whether you need a one-time transshipment, or more regular multiple transshipments, ocean freight will surely meet all your needs and requirements.

Air freight

The biggest advantage of air freight is its speed. Items leaving China can arrive in Korea within 2-3 days. This is the best option for high-value items as they take less time in transit. However, with this speed, there are some tradeoffs.

Air freight is usually more expensive than rail or sea. It's also better for small items, as airlines have weight and volume restrictions. Air freight also uses more fuel than alternatives, so if carbon footprint is an ethical issue for you and your company, you'll want to choose ocean or rail freight.

Air freight is divided into two categories: general cargo and special cargo. As the name suggests, most items are considered ordinary goods.

Example of general cargo:
  • Electronic
  • Jewelry
  • Medicine
  • Personal accessories such as watches and wallets

Special cargo has different regulations than general cargo and may involve additional inspections.

Examples of special goods:
  • Fragile items
  • Dangerous goods, such as certain chemicals
  • Items that require temperature control, such as seafood

Air transit time

Door to door, a plane arrives in South Korea from any airport in China in up to 6 hours. Courier (Express) will allow you to transfer all of your shipments to the exact address in South Korea in less than 3 days. With regular air freight, from a Chinese supplier to your South Korean address, your goods will be shipped within a week.

Door to door shipping

Requesting door-to-door shipping from China to South Korea will provide you with a stress-free import experience. We'll pick up, ship, and deliver directly to your warehouse, office or home from your Chinese supplier. With TJ chinafreight, you can be sure to get the best shipping rates and prompt delivery.
Door-to-door couriers handle items of all sizes and weights. Light cargo is generally shipped fast by air, while heavy cargo is shipped by sea, and the shipping time is longer. But since they come right to your door, they are the most convenient option.

Necessary documents

  • Bill of Lading or Air Waybill (BL)
  • Packing List
  • Valid return
  • Certificate of Origin (CO)
  • Licenses, certificates... (if any)
  • Commercial invoice
  • Proof of insurance (if any)
  • Detailed Description of Duty Exemptions

Common problem

How to import duty-free from China to South Korea?

It mainly depends on the type of product you are importing. The FTA signed by China and South Korea came into effect in 2015. The vast majority of China's imports to South Korea are agricultural products, and vice versa are automobiles. The FTA mainly applies to such commodities. So, if you want to import agricultural products, you will definitely benefit from tax exemption. If you're importing other types of goods, your chances of getting an exemption are slim.

What is the cheapest way to ship from China to South Korea?

Sea freight is the cheapest way to ship from China to South Korea. However, prices often vary based on several factors. Keep in mind that FCL and LCL prices are different and which one is most economical for your situation will depend on the particularities of the particular cargo.

How to reduce shipping costs?

If you are familiar with your destination country, we invite you to consider door-to-port service. However, this is not possible for every destination. You can choose to pack your inventory yourself to reduce the cost of origin. Remember, your personal packing items must still be professionally loaded by our overseas moving company. Packing your own goods must also be professional export shipping and can only be insured for total loss.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Service Advantages from Cameroon Express to China

Cameroon and China flags together textile cloth, fabric texture
Cameroon and China flags together textile cloth, fabric texture

TJ chinafreight integrates advantageous channel resources, takes advantage of the strong cross-border logistics advantages and customs clearance resources from Cameroon to China, and provides cross-border e-commerce enterprises and Cameroon users with a complete set of logistics import services from Cameroon to China, including general logistics and import services. Trade import services, commercial express import services and users with regulated commodity needs provide Cameroon-Hong Kong-domestic transit import services to meet users' needs for goods imported from Cameroon to China.

How long does it take to send a package from Cameroon to China?

Cheap couriers usually take more than 3 days on average to deliver goods between these countries. The delivery time mainly depends on the distance. However, we would like to remind you that you always have the option of express delivery. Then the time required for delivery is even reduced to a few hours. In the vast majority of cases, expedited shipping is delivered to the recipient within 1-2 business days. Anyone sending a package through our platform can also track their location on a regular basis. This makes it easier to determine the exact date the package will be delivered to the recipient, as well as find it if it is lost.

Service Advantages from Cameroon Express to China

1. Convenience and speed: Send online, you can deliver to any fedex outlet near Cameroon.
2. Real-time tracking: The powerful management system of Royal Logistics can check the package information and status at any time, safe and secure!
3. Time limit for receipt: The transit time is short, and the fastest is only 3-4 days.
4. Advantageous customs clearance: strong customs clearance capability, single-ticket customs clearance, and customs clearance at advantageous ports.
5. Scope of application: general goods and weak magnetic products;

Customs declaration standards for importing from Cameroon to China

1. Declaration of reasonable personal use consumer goods within 1,000 RMB recognized by the customs, without tax payment, without commercial express customs declaration.
2. Declaration of personal consumer goods exceeding 1,000 RMB or express mail exceeding reasonable self-use standards shall be declared by personal express mail without customs declaration fee; tax shall be levied according to regulations.
3. There is no exemption for commercial import shipments. If the declaration is less than 2,000 RMB, we can declare it on your behalf. There is no customs declaration fee.
4. For commercial import shipments, the declaration exceeds 2,000 RMB, and formal customs declaration is required. The charging standard: 1) 550 for agency declaration fee; 2) 550 for agency declaration + 500 for paying the bill.
5. Customs tariff = (declared value + freight + insurance) X tariff rate (0-35%)
6. Customs value-added tax = (declared value + freight + insurance + tariff) X13%
7. The declared value of the goods: the actual transaction price of the goods required by the customs, that is, the market circulation price.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Import and export customs declaration AEO mutual recognition code filling rules

Rules for filling in the AEO enterprise code when exporting and importing:

When exporting:

When China's AEO advanced certification enterprises export goods to countries (regions) with mutual recognition, they should notify the AEO advanced certification enterprise code (AEOCN + the 10-digit enterprise code registered in China Customs) to the importers of the country (region), and the country (region) ) The importer fills in the declaration in accordance with the local customs regulations, and the customs of the mutually recognized countries (regions) will provide relevant convenience measures after confirming the identity of the Chinese AEO enterprise.

When importing:

When Chinese enterprises import goods from AEO enterprises in mutually recognized countries (regions), they need to separately enter the "Overseas Shipper Code" column in the "Overseas Shipper" column of the import declaration form and the "Overseas Shipper Code" column in the water and air freight manifests. Fill in the AEO code of the overseas consignor in the "AEO Enterprise Code of Shipper" column. China Customs will provide relevant facilitation measures after confirming the identity of AEO enterprises in mutually recognized countries (regions).

Countries (regions) that have officially implemented mutual recognition

As of May 2021, China Customs has achieved AEO mutual recognition with 46 countries (regions) in 20 economies around the world. Countries (regions) that have been formally implemented are: Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, the European Union, Switzerland, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, Belarus and Chile.

Find out if the trading partner is an AEO enterprise of the customs of a mutually recognized country (region)

Appellations of AEO companies in different countries (regions)

Singapore - STP-PLUS Enterprise

South Korea - Excellent Enterprise in Import and Export Safety Management

Hong Kong, China - Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator

European Union - Secure AEO Certified Enterprise (AEOS), Simplified Customs Procedures and Secure AEO Certified Enterprise (AEOC/AEOS)

New Zealand - Member of the Safe Export Program

Switzerland, Israel, Japan - certified operators

Belarus - the third category of AEO companies

Start your voyage, choose your mode of transport

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Import and export freight declaration guide

1. The transaction method should be accurate

According to the requirements of the "Customs Declaration Form Filling Specification", there are 7 types of transaction methods that can be filled in: CIF, C&F, FOB, C&I, market price, advance position, EXW. The common ones are CIF, C&F, FOB, EXW. Among them, CIF (CostInsurance and Freight) cost plus insurance and freight, C&F (Costand Freight) cost plus freight are two transaction methods, and the freight is paid by the seller, and FOB (FreeOnBoard) is delivered at the port of shipment. EXW (ExWork) EXW (designated place) two transaction methods, the freight shall be paid by the buyer.

2. EXW freight needs to be complete

The "Shipping" column should be filled in:

The transportation cost before the imported goods arrive at the import point in my country before unloading
The transportation cost after the export goods are loaded to the output point in my country

If the imported goods are traded by FOB, the "Freight" column should be filled in with the actual transportation costs paid before the goods arrive at the Chinese port from the overseas delivery port; if the imported goods are traded by EXW, the "Freight" column should be filled in before the goods are delivered from the overseas delivery point to the Chinese port. The transportation cost actually paid; if the transaction is made in CIF or CFR, and the transaction price includes the aforementioned transportation cost, the "Freight" column is exempt from reporting.

3. Miscellaneous fees are filled with positive and negative
When an enterprise declares to the customs, the transportation surcharge can be filled in the miscellaneous expenses column of the customs declaration form. Such as common demurrage charges, should be filled in the miscellaneous charges column.

4. Demurrage distinction is important

Demurrage refers to an agreement to be paid by the charterer to the shipowner due to the failure to unload all the goods within the specified time, resulting in the ship continuing to berth in the port, increasing the shipowner’s expenses in port and suffering loss of shipping time. payments.

Demurrage occurs before the cargo is unloaded, that is, if the demurrage has already occurred at the beginning of the actual unloading of the goods, the enterprise shall apply to the customs in writing and provide relevant documents, and there are objective quantitative data on the delay before and after the loading and unloading. In the case of accurately distinguishing the demurrage charges, only the demurrage charges incurred before the loading and unloading of the goods are included in the dutiable value of the imported goods (that is, the demurrage charges incurred after the loading and unloading are not included in the customs value).

Demurrage occurs after the goods are unloaded, that is, if the demurrage has not yet occurred at the beginning of the actual unloading of the goods, it will not be included in the dutiable value of the imported goods.

5. The dispatch payment is normally not deducted

Dispatch fee means that the unloading of the cargo is completed in advance within the specified time, which shortens the life cycle of the ship, and the shipowner returns the agreed payment to the charterer.

The consignment fee shall not be deducted from the dutiable value of the imported goods after the goods are loaded and unloaded at the place of import.

If the dispatch fee occurs when the goods are loaded at the exporting place and is returned to the buyer by the shipowner, the fee can be deducted from the dutiable value of the imported goods.

6. Pay attention to surcharges when oil prices rise

Fuel surcharge BAF (BunkerAdjustmentFactor) or BS (BunkerSurcharge), also known as FAF (FuelAdjustmentFactor), is an additional surcharge charged by the ship to compensate for the increase in fuel costs without adjusting the basic freight rate due to the increase in fuel prices. fee. Japan and Australia routes can be represented by EBS, and routes in Africa and Central and South America can be represented by EBA.

The emergency fuel surcharge EAS (Emergency Adjustment Surcharge) means that if the fuel price suddenly rises again when the fuel surcharge has been levied, the ship will also increase the fuel surcharge in addition to the normal fuel surcharge.

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