Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From South Korea to India

South Korea and India have a strong trade relationship rooted in historical and cultural ties that span over two millenniums. Since 1973, diplomatic relations between the two countries have been steady, with recent years showing an increase in bilateral trade figures. 

Learn everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping from South Korea to India to take advantage of the strong trade ties between the two countries. 

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

Depending on your shipping needs and priorities, you can choose to ship freight from South Korea to India using ocean freight or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From South Korea to India

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship cargo from South Korea to India. It offers two modes of shipment, less than container load and full container load, giving shippers more flexibility to find an option that suits the requirements of their cargo.

LCL is best for shippers transporting small cargo. With this ocean freight shipping option, they can share a container with other shippers and only pay for the space their cargo occupies. This makes shipping costs minimal but transit times longer. 

On the other hand, FCL is designed for shippers shipping large volumes of goods or those who simply want more control over their shipment. In FCL, they rent the entire container for their goods alone, which guarantees faster transit times, more security, and unbridled control. However, FCL is also more expensive. 

Air Freight from South Korea to India

For shippers whose priority is getting their goods from South Korea to India fast, air freight is a viable option. Thanks to stricter and more efficient airport procedures, it’s the fastest and most secure mode of shipment. However, air freight is more expensive and has more stringent regulations on the type and volume of goods that it can ship. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From South Korea to India?

The cost of shipping cargo from South Korea to India will depend on a range of factors, which include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping




• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment




• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size




• Weight and size limits

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from South Korea to India:

How long does it take to ship cargo from South Korea to India?

The transit time for goods shipped from South Korea to India depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)




• Direct or indirect shipment route




• The trade lane's popularity




• Geopolitical instability




• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from South Korea to India?

Ocean freight from South Korea to India can take 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from South Korea to India?

Air freight from South Korea to India only takes 2 to 8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in South Korea and India

Goods arriving in India from South Korea will have to go through customs clearance. To ensure a seamless experience, you need to prepare and submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice




• A packing list




• A certificate of origin




• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)




• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

We have a full documents list that you can refer to for examples of each customs clearance document. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean freight and air freight should be taken seriously. What’s best for you will depend on the requirements of your cargo and your priorities and needs as a shipper. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

If you’re looking for the most economical way to ship your goods from South Korea to India, you should opt for ocean freight. It’s also the most flexible, allowing you to ship a range of goods at different volumes. When opting for ocean freight, you also need to choose between LCL and FCL freight shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the best choice for your cargo if it is: 

• Small in size and quantity 




• Lightweight




• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 




• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 




• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

On the other hand, you might find FCL to be the right option if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 




• Heavy or overweight




• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 




• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 




• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If your shipping priorities are speed and security, you might prefer to ship from South Korea to India via air freight. Air freight can get your cargo to India in a matter of days and has tighter security protocols, making it ideal for high-value and time-sensitive goods. 

You should know that air freight may not be able to accommodate all types of goods. It’s also rather expensive because of more costly airplane fuel. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in South Korea

Port of Busan

The Port of Busan is the largest in South Korea. It is located on the Korean peninsula, at the southeastern tip close to the Tsushima Islands of Japan. It’s hailed as the fifth busiest container port in the world, handling more than 200,000,000 tonnes of cargo annually. 

Port of Incheon

The Port of Incheon, on the Han River near Seoul, is the second biggest port in South Korea. It handles general cargo, petroleum goods, containers, and LNG, and it receives 150,000,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Donghae

The Port of Donghae is located on the eastern coastline of South Korea. In this region, it’s hailed as the biggest trading port. It can accommodate the biggest container vessels in the world and handles over 20,000,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in India

Nhava Sheva Port

The Nhava Sheva Port, also known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), is India’s busiest container port, handling 5.05 million TEUs per year. The port has also been featured in the world’s top 30 seaports and is responsible for 56% of India’s container traffic. 

Port of Mudra

The Port of Mudra is the second-busiest in India. Its annual traffic is 4.4 million TEUs, and it ranks 32nd among the world’s top 50 seaports. By size, the port is the largest commercial port in India. 

Chennai Port

The Chennai Port is India’s third-biggest port, handling 1.5 million TEUs annually. It’s also one of the oldest in the country, starting its operations in 1881. The port was the location of the first dedicated container terminal in India. 

Air Freight from South Korea to India: An airport guide

Airports of origin in South Korea

Jeju International Airport

The Jeju International Airport is the second-largest airport in South Korea. It’s located in Jeju and has been serving the metro since 1968. The airport houses airlines for its cargo operations, including Jeju Air, Jin Air, and Eastar Jet. 

Gimhae International Airport 

The Gimhae International Airport is located in Busan, South Korea. It serves the nearby city of Gimhae and is home to cargo and passenger airlines, including Air Busan, Asiana Airlines, and Yeongnam Air. 

Incheon International Airport 

The Incheon International Airport is South Korea’s largest. It serves the capital city of Seoul and all of South Korea. It’s hailed as one of the busiest airports in the world, home to a range of cargo airlines, including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way Air, and more. 

Airports of arrival in India

Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport that serves the capital city of India, New Delhi. A hub for IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, Go First, Jet Airways, and more, the airport handles 895,920,000 tonnes of goods per year. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport serves Mumbai and its metropolitan region. It houses the following cargo airlines: IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and more. The airport handles 776,930,000 metric tonnes of goods per year. 

Kempegowda International Airport 

The Kempegowda International Airport is located near the suburb of Devanahalli and serves the capital of Karnataka, India, Bangalore. It’s owned and operated by the Bengaluru International Airport Limited. The airport is a hub for various cargo airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, AIX Connect, Alliance Air, Star Air, and FedEx Express. It handles 410,310,000 tonnes of goods per year.