Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from South Korea to the United States

The United States and South Korea have a long history of trade, dating back to the 19th century. In recent years, bilateral trade has continued to grow, with the U.S. being one of South Korea's largest trading partners.

There are a variety of ways to ship goods between the two countries, including by ocean and air freight. Here is an overview of shipping from South Korea to the United States.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From South Korea to the United States?

There are a few different options for shipping freight from South Korea to the United States, including ocean freight and air freight. Ocean freight is typically the most economical option, but it can take several weeks for the shipment to arrive. Air freight is more expensive, but it is much faster.

Ocean Freight From South Korea to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common method of shipping freight from South Korea to the United States. It is typically the most economical option, but it can take several weeks for the shipment to arrive. In ocean freight, there is either less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL).

Less Than Container Load

Less than container load (LCL) shipping is a type of ocean freight transportation that allows businesses to send goods from South Korea to the United States in smaller shipments. Rather than sending goods as a complete, or "full," container, LCL shipping allows you to send goods in individual pallets or crates that are consolidated with other goods being shipped by an ocean freight carrier. This can be helpful if your business needs to ship only a small number of goods using ocean freight, as it may not be cost-effective to do so otherwise.

Full Container Load

Full container load (FCL) is an option for ocean freight that allows you to ship larger shipments without having to pay extra per item or break up your goods into multiple containers. Full container load refers to a shipment that takes up an entire cargo container.

Air Freight from South Korea to the United States

Air freight, also known as air cargo, is the transportation of goods by plane. This mode of shipping provides a fast and efficient way to move items across long distances. Air freight can be used for both smaller shipments and larger consignments and is often used when time constraints are a factor, such as in emergency situations or when expedited delivery is needed.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From South Korea to the United States?

When shipping cargo from South Korea to the United States, there are a few important factors that you need to keep in mind. The most significant cost element is the freight charge, which depends on both the weight and volume of your shipment as well as its destination. 

However, you also need to consider other expenses such as fuel surcharges, ocean freight container rentals or purchases, customs duties and taxes, port handling fees, insurance costs, customs broker fees, and export/import license requirements. 

To help you get an estimate of how much it will cost to ship cargo from South Korea to the US using ocean or air freight services, request a quote from your freight forwarder.

How long does it take to ship cargo from South Korea to the United States?

The transit time of your shipment from South Korea to the United States will vary depending on several factors, such as your chosen mode of shipment, the distance between South Korea and the United States, and whether the route of your ship or airplane is direct or has multiple stops. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from South Korea to the United States?

It usually takes about 2 weeks for cargo to ship from South Korea to the United States by ocean freight. For more accurate estimates, refer to the table below.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from South Korea to the United States?

Air freight shipping may be a faster option, but it is also more expensive. Here are some estimated transit times for air freight from South Korea to the United States.

Customs Clearance in South Korea and the United States

Customs clearance is a necessary process for importing and exporting goods between South Korea and the United States. The customs clearance process can be complex and time-consuming, so it's important to be familiar with the basics before shipping your freight.

In South Korea, customs clearance is handled by the South Korean Customs Service (KCS). All shipments destined for South Korea must be cleared through KCS before they can be released for delivery.

The KCS requires that all shipments have the following documentation:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A bill of lading or air waybill
• A certificate of origin (if required)
• Any other required permits or licenses

The customs clearance process in the United States is handled by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). All shipments destined for the United States must be cleared through CBP before they can be released for delivery.

The CBP requires that all shipments have the following documentation:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list or bill of lading
• A certificate of origin (if required)
• Any other required permits or licenses

Like South Korea, customs clearance in the United States can be a complex and time-consuming process. Refer to our full documents list for more information about the customs clearance requirements.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

One advantage of ocean freight is that it is generally much less expensive than air freight. This is because ocean vessels can carry much larger loads than airplanes, so the per-unit shipping costs are lower. Additionally, ocean freight transit times are typically longer than airfreight transit times, so if time is not a critical factor in your shipping schedule, ocean freight may be a more cost-effective option.

In ocean freight, you also have to make decisions between LCL and FCL shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

When shipping LCL from South Korea to the United States, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

• Customs requirements: It is important to know the customs regulations for both countries. The last thing you want is for your shipment to be held up at customs because of improper documentation.
• Cost: Ocean freight shipping is generally the most economical way to ship LCL from South Korea to the United States. 
• Transit time: LCL can take longer than other methods, so if you are shipping time-sensitive items, it might not be the best option.

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

There are many advantages to using FCL shipping when sending goods from South Korea to the United States. 

• Speed: FCL shipping is faster than LCL shipping, so your goods will arrive at their destination more quickly. 
• Cargo safety: FCL shipping is more reliable than LCL shipping, so you can be sure that your goods will arrive safely and on time. 
• Customer service: FCL shipping provides a higher level of customer service than LCL shipping, so you can be confident that your needs will be met.

Air Freight

Air freight is generally more expensive than ocean freight, but it is also faster. If you need your goods to arrive quickly, air freight may be the best option. However, it's important to keep in mind that air freight is subject to weather delays and other potential problems that can cause delays in transit.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in South Korea 

Port of Incheon

The Port of Incheon is the fourth-largest cargo port in South Korea and one of the busiest ports in Asia. The Port’s expansion project, which is known as Haemul Pungmul-gil, was completed in 2005 and includes a multi-purpose terminal, container terminal and fish market. This makes it easier for ships to stop at the port and carry out their business activities there.

Port of Busan

The Port of Busan is the fifth busiest container port in the world, handling over 20 million TEUs annually. The port is located in South Korea and is a major hub for shipping in Northeast Asia. The port offers excellent facilities and infrastructure, making it a popular choice for international shipping companies. The port is also home to a large number of warehouses and distribution centers, making it an important center for logistics in the region.

Port of Gwangyang

The Port of Gwangyang is a seaport located in the city of Gwangyang, South Korea. It is the country's second-largest seaport after the Port of Busan. The port serves as a gateway for trade and transportation between South Korea and other countries in East Asia.

The port has a deep water harbor that can accommodate large vessels. It is equipped with modern facilities and infrastructure to handle a variety of cargo. The port handles both containerized and bulk cargo, including crude oil, coal, and grains. The Port of Gwangyang is an important hub for the Korean economy. It plays a vital role in trade and transportation and is a key driver of economic growth.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States 

Port of Los Angeles 

The Port of Los Angeles is located in the San Pedro Bay in Los Angeles, California, about 20 miles south of downtown. It is also known as America's busiest port and one of the world's largest seaports. The port occupies 7,500 acres of land and water along 43 miles of waterfront. It is responsible for nearly one-quarter of all containerized imports entering the United States and handles more containers than any other port in North America.

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the East Coast, handling over $200 billion in cargo annually. It was established as a port district in 1921 under the terms of an interstate agreement that gave New York State and New Jersey equal ownership rights to all navigable river waters within their borders.

The port consists of six major facilities: Newark Bay, Arthur Kill, Staten Island, Brooklyn-Red Hook, Canarsie, and Howland Hook. These ports are managed by a joint venture between the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) and the South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC). The operations at each facility vary widely; some handle containerized freight while others focus more on breakbulk or roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) cargo.

Port of Miami 

The Port of Miami is one of the busiest ports in the world, handling over 4.33 million passengers each year. The port is located on Dodge Island, just off the coast of downtown Miami. The port is home to cruise ships, cargo ships, and yachts from all over the world.

Air Freight from South Korea to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in South Korea 

Incheon International Airport

The Incheon International Airport is the primary airport serving Seoul and the surrounding area, and is one of the busiest airports in Asia. It is located on an island west of the city and offers a wide variety of international and domestic flights.

Gimpo International Airport

The Gimpo International Airport is a smaller airport located in the northwest part of Seoul. It primarily serves domestic flights, but also offers some international routes to nearby countries. 

Cheongju International Airport

The Cheongju International Airport is located in the central region of South Korea and serves both domestic and international flights. It is a growing airport, with new airlines and routes being added regularly.

Airports of arrival in the United States 

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

The John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK for short, is one of the busiest airports in the US and a major international hub for air travel. Located on the far eastern tip of New York City's borough of Queens, JFK sits just across from Brooklyn and near Manhattan. The airport is well-connected to public transport networks like the subway system, with several terminals located within close proximity to other subway stations.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest and busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles Area and the state of California, as well as one of the busiest airports in the United States. It is also the main international gateway to the United States from Asia and Europe. LAX is located in southwestern Los Angeles, about 20 miles (32 km) from Downtown Los Angeles. The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,416 ha) of land.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

The Miami International Airport, or MIA for short, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Located in southern Florida just west of downtown Miami, the airport sees nearly 50 million passengers a year and over 1,000 flights every day. The airport also has several international carriers that fly to destinations all around the world.