DOCUMENTS REQUIRED 
- Legible Copy of Passport for each member of the Family
- Entry Stamp for each member of the Family
- Work Permit from Embassy stating that customer will be in Korea for over twelve months
- Residence Card for each member of the family or an Employment Certificate (terms of stay should state over 1 year)
- Inventory (original and one copy) must be legible
- Customs declaration forms (Moving & forwarding declaration, Detailed statement of major items)
- Power of Attorney
- Delivery address and contact phone number
- NOTE: CUSTOMER'S CORRECT NAME (AS SHOWN ON PASSPORT) MUST BE SHOWN ON ALL DOCUMENTS; OTHERWISE SHIPMENT WILL NOT BE RELEASED BY KOREAN CUSTOMS
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- All shipments 100% inspected
- Shipment must arrive within six months of customer's arrival (three months if coming from Southeast Asia)
- The ARC must be valid for at least 12 months.
- Clearance should take place at a Customs bonded warehouse.
- Personal effects cannot be Customs cleared prior to the owner of the goods’ arrival.
- Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free for foreigners, who intend to reside in Korea for over 6 months with family or one year alone ( classified as HHG/PE shipments). If estimated length of stay is less than the required period, shipment is classified as a semi-HHG/PE shipment, resulting in higher duties
- All items (even if used) are dutiable if owner does not meet above duty-free criteria.
- NOTE: ALL KOREAN CUSTOMS PROCEDURES ARE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED AND CLEARANCE CAN BE OBTAINED ONLY AT BUSAN, INCHON OR SEOUL BY SURFACE; SEOUL OR BUSAN BY AIR
For Ocean shipments, Korean Customs will designate an appropriate bonded customs warehouse based on customer’s actually delivery address in Korea. The destination address should be provided prior to departure. If not yet available, temporarily use the address of the Destination Agent, but be sure to amend to the shipper’s actual delivery address in order to clear customs and avoid any penalty or fine.
For Ocean shipments, Korean Customs requires that the customer write and sign the following on each page of import documents (packing list, Bill of Lading, etc): “I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document” (with his/her signature or stamp).
MOTOR VEHICLES
Documents Required:
- Original Title
- Original Registration Certificate
- Original Purchase Receipt or Invoice
- Original insurance documents
Specifics:
- Vehicle must be listed on the inventory with full technical specifications (make, model, plate number, etc.)
- Insurance policy should be issued in Korea prior to removing the car from the Customs bonded warehouse.
- The vehicle must be identified on the detailed inventory.
- In order to register and to drive in South Korea, the vehicle must pass the following Government tests:
- Emission Gas Level Test
- Noise and Vibration Test
- Type and Model Approval
- Documentary clearance does not require a physical inspection.
- Motor vehicles to be imported to Korea are subject to duty & local tax. Vehicles produced in Korea are exempted from duty. Duty is calculated based on the Blue book, adjusted for depreciation for the year of the make and usage.
PETS
- Quarantine period is same day if: vaccination was administered 30 days or earlier before arrival (90 day or older pets); it is from a rabies-free country.
Rabies-free countries: Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Cypress, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Singapore, Portugal
- Animals will be quarantined upon arrival to South Korea; currently, there is a 10-day quarantine required.
- Animals should have vaccinations at least 30 days prior to import.
- If rabies vaccinations are not older than 30 days, pets must remain in quarantine the 10-days plus the number of days to total 30 full days since the rabies vaccination.
Documents required:
- Passport of owner and family
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate (for 90 day or older pets)
- Health Certificate (for 90 day or younger pets)
- IF PETS ARE IMPORTED FROM AUSTRALIA OR MALAYSIA, PLEASE CONTACT AGENT.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Korean customs do not allow port-to-door delivery of a loose load container. It must be unloaded at the customs bonded warehouse and inspected. After customs clearance, the goods will be transported to the residence by truck.
DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS
- Any alcohol and cigarettes are dutiable.
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosive materials, including fireworks (permission from the Korean authorities is required)
- Narcotic and psychotropic drugs
- Animals
- Foodstuff - Duty free entry for small amounts.
- The shipment is subject to payment of 20% duty if total foodstuff amount is too large for a household good shipment.
- Check with destination agent for more details.
- Food items are allowed in sea shipments only; If the owner of the goods is shipping food items ensure all food items are sealed and labeled.
- Plants and plant byproducts (subject to quarantine and approval by the authorities; denial of entry is possible)
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Illegal drugs
- Pornographic material
- Counterfeit goods or materials
- Subversive and treasonous materials