Our customers often ask us questions about the laws for shipping a parcel orgift to South-Korea.Some other customers have told us horror stories about their experiences with shippinggifts from overseas into South-Korea.While many people blame Customs in South-Koreafor the delivery failures, problems and delays with International shipmentsinto South-Korea are often associated with other issues.
This article describes these problems in detail, and suggestsalternative gift delivery options for South-Korea such as South-Koreagift basket delivery service.
No time to search information online about delivering a packageto South-Korea? Do you have some questions you need answered aboutsending a gift internationally? Just type your question in a simple form to getyour answers from our International Customs & Gift Shipping Specialists.
Package Delivery Issues
First, it is unfortunate but true that there are thieves who work for the local postalservice. Some customers reported that the contents of their gift packages were opened andpartially removed, so the recipient only received half of the contents. In other cases, the giftwas missing all together and only the wrapping paper or carton was delivered, or the box hasgone completely missing. This normally happens for the packages that have no tracking at all. Soif you do decide to ship yourself: please make sure to purchase at least a basic postal trackingoption.
Second, the postal service in South-Korea can lose smallpackages. Once again, having the parcel tracked and insured will help to prevent a completedisappearance of the package. The best way to save your cargo is to send a big box weighing 1 kg(2 lbs) or more. In many countries such parcels are processed separately under the officialpostal stamp.
Third, concerning Customs in South-Korea, their primary goal is toprevent drugs, weapons, explosive materials, and illegal products fromentering South-Korea. The list of products that are considered illegal would bepointless to include here considering that it's subject to change anytime, which would make thislist outdated. In order to expedite the Customs process as much as possible, the paperwork mustbe properly completed and filed at the time of shipping. Customs has a right to open parcels andinspect them in detail. As you can imagine, this may compromise the appearance of the gift anddamage gift wrap.
Customs does not normally open every parcel; these checks are rather random; however,their frequency increases when the declared gift value is over $100 USD. It is also more likelythat your parcel will be opened when it has an unusual appearance: a "secret"-lookingpackage (with a thick layer of poly-foam or multiple, visible layers of tape); a big box withnoticeably small contents; gift contents that are shaking or knocking; or parcels with contentswhich can be interpreted as a powder are likely to catch the eye of a curious Customs agent.
Finally, when sending a gift containing a gourmet items you are limited to sendingnon-perishable items. So items such as cheeses and fruits are out of the question. Additionally,items such as cakes or chocolates are also tough to send as they are likely to melt in a hotweather or shipping depots in South-Korea that are not always air conditioned.Also, fragile items containing glass or other delicate packaging must be wrappedinconspicuously, but then again, one takes the risk, when wrapping heavily, that the gift willbe unwrapped by Customs and damaged further.
Is there a better way? Depending on the gift type you are looking to send, you can usea gift delivery company such as GiftBasketsOverseas.comcheck our online catalog for gift delivery to South-Koreaor use the Gift Recommendation Tool that will help youfind the gift that matches your taste and budget. You are also welcome tocontact our team to receive a custom quote forthe gift desired.
Customs Duties
In most countries, if the gift is over a certain value it is taxable,and South-Korea is not exception.
The non-taxable amount varies greatly from country to country and is subject to changeany time (ironic but true, this can happen even after you ship the gift to the recipient). It'squite disappointing to hear stories of gift recipients having to file comprehensive paperworkand being inconvenienced to file it with the Customs Office in South-Korea.It'seven more embarrassing to the sender to learn about the VIP recipient having to pay taxes toCustoms. Some recipients are forced to do so since they are afraid to disappoint the sender andfeel obliged to collect the gift regardless of the time, hassle, and money it takes.
Consider using a gift delivery service with a localpresencein South-Korea to avoid such disappointment.
Shipping Time Considerations
Between filing the paperwork, perfecting the packaging, cross-border delivery, Customsclearance, and local delivery within South-Korea it may take anywhere between 3weeks to 4 months (or more!) to get a parcel delivered to your recipient. So if you are flexibleand the gift does not have to arrive on an exact date: this may not be of concern.
Cost Considerations
There is a common expectation about imported items in South-Koreabeingoverpriced on the local market. This is true about imported alcohol, some brands of chocolates,and electronics; these items may cost two times as much or more than in your country. However,the gift sender must also consider the costs of International shipping, packaging, insurance,and Customs taxes/duties in some cases coupled with risks described above.
Let's look at cost comparisonsbetween Do-it-yourself versus using a South-Korea gift delivery service:
Do it yourself
- Item cost in your country: $100
- Packaging: $10 (box, tape, gift wrap etc).
- Delivery costs: $60 (average estimated based on a parcel of 1 kg, no deliveryconfirmation at this rate)
- Insurance: $10 (average estimated)
- Custom duties: $20 (20-25% in average)
Total estimated gift cost: $200 USD (delivered in ~ 3-12 weeks)
Use a gift delivery service
- Item cost in a gift catalog: $210
(for item cost in a country of delivery:$160) - Delivery fee: $15-20 (average)
Total estimated gift cost: $230 USD (delivered in 1-3 days with deliveryconfirmation by email)
In summary, it may cost 15-25% more to use a giftdeliveryservice however the gift is guaranteed to be delivered to your recipient in 1-3 businessdays; there will be real humans handling your specific gift as opposed to faceless Customsagents and International Postal Services on both sides of the border.
Are you confused with rules for International shippingto South-Korea?
Do you have some burning questions you would like answered?
We are here to help - just fill out the form below with questions about countries you would like to ship to andour International Shipping Specialist will provide a response by email.
This is a complimentary service, with no obligation to purchase anything.
Online Resources for shipping to South-Korea
Do you need some help for shipping a gift yourself?
Below is a list of useful links to various shipping services that may help you getstarted:
Alternatively: trust GiftBasketsOverseas.comand our International Gift Specialists will make shipping giftto South-Koreahassle free. Watch 1 min video to learn more or try our GiftWizardto send the gift to South-Korea they'll love.
