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

The United States and South Korea have a free trade agreement that they entered into in 2012. Because of that, trade relations between the two countries continue to strengthen year after year. In 2022, the U.S. exported $72.1 billion worth of goods to Korea, a 9.5% increase from the previous year ($6.3 billion). 

If you need to ship goods from the United States to South Korea and are looking to take advantage of the two countries' trade relations, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options, the customs clearance process, and more. 

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

To ship freight from the United States to South Korea, you can choose ocean freight or air freight, depending on your needs and the requirements of your cargo. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to South Korea

Ocean freight is the most cost-effective shipping option. Depending on the type of container shipping you select, it doesn’t cost too much to get your goods to their destination. Ocean freight is also quite flexible. It can ship a range of goods and offers shippers two options: less than container load or full container load. 

LCL is ideal for those shipping small goods or shipping in small volumes. Here, your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, they only pay for the space their cargo occupies. 

On the other hand, a FCL is when the shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This method allows them more control over their shipment. It’s also more secure because of its lack of a consolidation process. 

Air Freight from the United States to South Korea

Another option for shipping freight from the United States to South Korea is air freight. It’s the fastest shipping option, taking only days for your cargo to arrive at its destination. Thanks to stricter airport regulations, air freight is also a secure way to ship high-value goods. 

The main disadvantage of air freight is its cost. It’s the most expensive mode of shipping. It also has limitations regarding what you can and cannot ship by air. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to South Korea will depend on a couple of factors, including: 

• 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

To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to South Korea in the table below:

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

Shipping goods from the United States to South Korea varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from the United States to South Korea will take about 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United States to South Korea can take as little as 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and South Korea

Once your goods finally reach Korea, the next step is the customs clearance process. This can be quite a breeze as long as you make sure the following documents accompany your shipment: 

• 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

See our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean freight or air freight for your United States to Korea shipment will depend on your needs as a shipper and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some things to consider to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best if you’re a budget-conscious shipper who doesn’t want to spend too much on shipping from the United States to South Korea. Because it’s flexible, it can also work well for shippers with unique cargo or shipping needs. 

If you choose ocean freight, you must select between less than container load or full container load. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the best option for you if your cargo 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 be better off with FCL 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 priority is getting your goods to South Korea fast, air freight is the shipping mode for you. It only takes a couple of days to complete, and it’s best for high-value, time-sensitive, and perishable goods. Thanks to its more stringent regulations, air freight can also keep your cargo safe. However, this also means there are restrictions as to what you can and cannot ship by air. 

It’s also worth noting that air freight is the most expensive shipping option, so make sure to check your budget before opting for air freight. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Jacksonville, Florida

The Port of Jacksonville is located in Florida and is essential in the Southeast nation of the United States. It connects the area to more than 70 countries per day. It boasts container terminals and cargo processing facilities worth $1.8 billion in upgrades. 

Port Of Oakland, California

The Port of Oakland is located in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. It’s an important port for the United States, with container facilities in prime locations facilitating transpacific trade with Asia. 

Port Of Charleston, South Carolina

The Port of Charleston in South Carolina is the port of choice for multinational corporations like Michelin, Boeing, and BMW. It handles the shipments of raw materials, completed goods, and components. In 2022, it handled a record number of containers (2.79 million TEUs).

Cargo ports of arrival in Korea

Port of Gunsan

The Port Gunsan, also known as Kunsan, is located on Korea’s western coastline. It’s the most famous port for rice shipments, along with paper, plastic, lumber, and rubber. It has railway links to Iksan and the Seohaean Expressway, making it attractive to foreign investment. 

Port of Masan

The Port of Masan is located close to Masan Bay. It serves Busan through its connections to roadways and railways. The port is mainly used by textile factories, traditional breweries, and chemical plants. Every year, it handles 12.5 million tonnes of cargo. 

Port of Donghae

The Port of Donghae is located on the eastern coastline of South Korea. It’s considered the country’s biggest trade port in the eastern region. The port boasts sufficient water depths that can accommodate the world’s biggest container vessels. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is the second busiest cargo airport in the United States. It serves as a significant hub for air freight provider FedEx. The airport’s location makes it an ideal spot for domestic shipments.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the U.S.’ third busiest cargo airport. It serves a vital role in the U.S. economy, handling over two million tonnes of cargo annually. It has facilities used by the world’s largest airfreight companies. 

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is the fourth busiest cargo airport in the United States, handling over two million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a central hub for international trade, bringing about billions of dollars in economic activity. 

Airports of Arrival in Korea

Incheon International Airport

The Incheon International Airport is the main airport that serves the capital city of South Korea, Seoul. It is on the list of the busiest and largest airports in the world. The airport is a hub for passenger and cargo airlines such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way Air, and more.

Gimpo International Airport

The Gimpo International Airport, also known as the Kimpo International Airport, is located 15 kilometers west of the Seoul central district. It was South Korea’s main international airport before it was replaced by the Incheon International Airport. 

Jeju International Airport 

The Jeju International Airport is South Korea’s second-largest airport. It is located in Jeju, boasting 175,000 aircraft movements per year. The airport is a hub for cargo and passenger airlines like Jeju Air, Jin Air, and Eastar Jet.