What is the best method to ship items from Vietnam to South Korea cheaply but with a good carrier?

 

Doc Shipper can take care of shipping your goods or effects from Vietnam to South Korea. We will explain you the best means of transport according to the volume, weight and nature of your goods. Doc Shipper can also take care of loading and unloading, packing and unpacking of your goods. In addition to that we can take care of the customs clearance of your goods.

There are two possible solutions to send your goods from Vietnam to Korea, sea freight and air freight. In theory it should be possible to send your goods overland to South Korea. Unfortunately South Korea has a land border with North Korea only and goods cannot cross North Korea.

We are going to see these two solutions.

Sea freight shipping from Vietnam to South Korea

Overview - Sea freight from Vietnam to South Korea

Sea freight is the most common method of international transport. It’s the most widely used method in the world and also the chipest one. 

Shipping company offering services from Vietnam to South Korea ports 

Here are few examples of shipping company available :

Port of Busan

Busan Port is the largest port in South Korea and is located near the city of Busan, a large city of 3 million people. It is located at the mouth of the Nakdong River. It was created in 1878 to trade with China and Japan.

Port of Incheon

The port of Incheon is the second largest port in South Korea. It opened in 1883 and has a very great influence on the economy of the city of Incheon.

 

Port of Gwangyang

Le port de Gwangyang est un port au sud de la coree du sud à proximité de la petite ville de Gwangyang.

Port of Jeju

Jeju Port is located in Jeju City. It is very popular for exporting and importing goods. It was transformed into a real seaport in 1913.

 

Should I ship by consolidation or full container from Vietnam to South Korea?

LCL - Less Than Container Load

(Also called consolidation), this is the cheapest way to send a small quantity of goods (less than 15 CBM). LCL consists of sharing a container with other shippers. If you don't have the volume to fill an FCL, shipping your goods by LCL may be a good option.

FCL - Full Container Load

FCL is an international standard for contenair. There exist 2 types of containers: 20' and 40'. FCL is a very good way to export goods from Vietnam to South Korea especially if you have a large volume to ship (more than 15 CBM).

How long does it take to ship from Vietnam to South Korea by sea freight 

Busan Incheon Jeju  Gwangyang
Da Nang 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days
Saigon 6 days 6 days 6 days 6 days
Ba Ngoi 6 days 6 days 6 days 6 days
Cam Pha 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days

Please keep in mind that the transit time takes into consideration only the freight. Indeed, pick up, delivery, loading unloading aren’t take into consideration and can lengthen transport time.

 

How much does it cost to ship a container from Vietnam to South Korea?

Sea freight is the most common way to send goods from Vietnam to South Korea. It is the cheapest option to send high volume and regular goods.

If your shipment exceeds 1 CBM or 100 Kg the air freight will be too expensive and you should opt for sea freight.

The price of ocean freight depends on many factors, so it is not fixed, which is why we provide a custom quote to each of our customers. The price varies according to the carrier, the nature of the goods, the weight, the volume etc.

Special sea freight services 

Reefer container from Vietnam to South Korea

Some people have very special needs such as sending food or goods that cannot be loaded into a container because of their size.

Docshipper can advise you on the best way to send your goods and book it for you.

 

Roro/Bulk/OOG from Vietnam to South Korea

RORO:

A Ro-Ro is a ship used to transport, among other things, vehicles, loaded by a ramp. Their name comes from the English word roll-on/roll-off. They are distinguished from the usual cargo ships where products are loaded vertically by cranes, here the vehicles are loaded horizontally.

BULK:

Some ships can carry bulk goods (grain, coal, fruit, etc.). The products are transported directly into the ship's hold. A distinction is made between solid cargoes in bulk and liquid cargoes in bulk: (such as coal, ferrous ores, cereals, etc) bulk liquids: (oil, etc).

OOG

OOG (Out of Gauge) cargoes are a special category of goods. They are too heavy or too large to fit in a 40" container, it can be for exemple, an airplane wing, a truck, etc. These types of cargoes are usually loaded on a special platform or trailer for transport on the ship.

Air freight shipping from Vietnam to South Korea

Overview – Classic vs Express air freight 

The difference between conventional and express air freight is the transit time. For an express shipment it takes about 4 days whereas it takes about 1 week for a conventional shipment. As the airplane cannot fly any faster, the loading / unloading and customs clearance times are shortened. These two means are in any case faster than a sea shipment.

 

What is the difference between volumetric and gross weight?

*To consider the density of your shipment, two methods are used to sort out the chargeable weight of your goods.

The two calculations below are performed. The more important result will be consider.

Should I choose a Classic Air freight from Vietnam to South Korea?

Which airlines company should you ship with to ship to South Korea ?

  • Vietnam Airlines (in Vietnamese Hãng hàng không Quốc gia Việt Nam) is Vietnam's national airline operating domestic and international flights. Its two main hubs are Tan International Airport Sơn in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba'i International Airport in Hanoi. Vietnam airline also has a cargo service that will allow you to send your goods.
  • The Korean Air (in Korean: 주식회사 대한항공), is the largest airline in South Korea. It is also the largest cargo carrier in South Korea. Korean Air is headquartered in Seoul. It operates domestic and international flights and also has an air cargo service.
  • Asiana Airlines (in Korean: 아시아나항공) is the second largest airline in South Korea, behind Korean Air. Asiana is headquartered in Seoul. In 2018, it operated 19% of domestic flights and 16% of international flights.

Transit time Door to Door from Vietnam to South Korea by air freight ?

For a door to door operation from Vietnam to South Korea, you should count at about 5 to 7 days depending on the time of the week and the period.

 

How much does it cost to ship a parcel from Vietnam to South Korea?

Price depends on many factors:  Carrier, nature of goods, weight, size POD, POL,monthly price update. It is why we quote case by case cause of price changes. Do not hesitate to contact our experts to obtain your detailed price.

 

Should I choose an Express Air freight from Vietnam to South Korea?

Express service – Perfect solution for small package

If your goods weigh less than 100Kg, express shipping is the ideal solution. However, if your goods weigh more than 100 kg, the express shipment will be too expensive compared to a conventional shipment. In any case DocShipper can advise you on this.

 

How long does it take for a package to be shipped from Vietnam to South Korea? 

Thanks to our internal customs department and our good relations with express shipping companies, we can offer you faster delivery time and good prices. Thanks to the fast customs clearance process (automated), you should count no more than 5 days for the all process (depending on the time of the week and the period).

express-courier logo

 

How much does an Express service cost from Vietnam to South Korea

*To quote your express shipment, a different method than gross and volumetric weight is applied. For express freight, you must consider that 1 CBM = 200 kgs.  

As with conventional air freight, it is impossible to give you a price. Indeed the price depends on many factors such as weight, size, nature of the goods etc. We therefore need this information in order to provide you with an accurate and personalised quotation.

Major airports to ship in South Korea

There are very few airports in South Korea that have cargo terminals.

Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Seoul-Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea. It serves the Seoul area. It is one of the largest airports in the world. It has a cargo terminal, hosting many cargo companies such as Korean Air Cargo.

 

DocShipper – Door to Door specialist  

Our door-to-door shipment service is very popular with our customers. In addition, we are responsible for the entire supply chain from door to door. We therefore ensure the quality of the shipment and this allows us to provide you with a better service.

Customs clearance in South Korea for goods imported from Vietnam 

How much will I pay ? 

We know that it is very important to know how much customs duty you are going to pay because this customs duty will be added to the cost of freight and transport. South Korea, as a member of the World Trade Organization, uses the HS code (composed of 6 digits). the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.

This numbers defines the nature of your good (by ID).

Here is the composition of an HS Code

hs code of a pineapple

Calculate applicable tariff with the HS code

You found your HS Code ? It's now time to check how many taxes you will have to pay on your shipment. You just need to do the following steps :

Here we're going to keep the example of our pineapple.

Go to the Korean customs website you should reach a page who looks like this :

korean custom 1

As our example on the screenshot, fill requested informations :

  • Your HS Code

You will come to a page like this:

korean customs 2

There are different tariffs applicable depending on the country where the goods come from.

Check the duties and taxes applied on your product

Customs clearance process in South Korea

korean custom process

 

Customs contact

import-custom-clearance-process

What are the Licenses required (import & export)?

Import license 

To import most goods into South Korea you do not need an import license. However, a license may be required to import certain sensitive products, as in most countries.

 

Necessary documents 

Behind is a blank document needed for written customs declaration.

document korean custom

 

The original invoice

The invoice makes it possible to know the value of the goods. Customs duties will be applied to this declared value.

  • Invoice number
  • Name and address of the importer and exporter
  • Date of issue
  • The terms of delivery
  • Description of the goods (as quality, name, etc.)
  • Unit of measure (Kg, Lbs, meter, inch etc.)
  • Quantity of goods
  • Total invoice value
  • Date of payment
  • Unit value
  • Means of transport
  • Currency of payment
  • Method of payement

 

Freight Documents (Transport Documentation)

Such as:

  • FIATA Bill of Lading
  • Air Waybill (AWB)
  • ATA Carnet
  • Rail Waybill (CIM)
  • Road Waybill (CMR)
  • Bill of Lading
  • TIR Carnet

 

The packing list

The packing list summarizes all the articles contained in the package. It is necessary to clear the goods through customs.

 

Prohibited & restricted items in South Korea

Certai products are prohibited for import into South Korea. Further import permits are required, in particular due to health reasons.

Restricted items :

  • Jerky, hams and sausage products are prohibited unless they are gifts or for personal consumption from New Zealand or Australia

 

Prohibited items :

  • Bearer Documents
  • Poisons
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Hormone Drug
  • Liquids, Haz
  • Pornography
  • Graphite Products
  • Ice, Wet
  • Soil
  • Stamps or seals to be affixed on a contract or application for banking

Trade agreement 

Vietnam and South Korea have signed an agreement to simplify trade relations between the two countries. This agreement was signed in 2015. This agreement provides, on the Vietnamese side, the suppression of the three customs duties on 265 products, notably textile, automotive and electronic products.

South Korea, for its part, undertakes to abolish customs duties on 502 products, including agricultural products.

This agreement will therefore facilitate trade between the two countries. And this in both directions.

 

Additional services 

Our warehousing services 

We have many warehouses in Vietnam, including in the ports of Saigon, Haiphong and Quy Nhon. This allows us to receive your goods in Vietnam and store them, if necessary, in our warehouses . These warehouses are equipped with the latest equipment and security standards.

Storage service in South Korea

Thanks to our partner network in South Korea we can offer you a wide range of storage services for your goods. As we are used to working with these partners, we can also offer you advantageous rates.

 

Our packing/unpacking services 

Overview 

We have several years of experience in shipping and packaging. We can therefore provide you with the ideal packaging for your goods. Good packaging is essential to avoid damage to your goods. We will provide you with the best packaging solution for your needs and budget.

 

Packing material 

Carton box

Cardboard boxes are widely used for moving. They are resistant and avoid damage to your personal belongings.

 

Palletization 

Palletizing is the best way to get your goods safely into a container. We can perform this operation for you if necessary, for example if your supplier does not offer this service.

 

Wooden boxes 

Wooden boxes serve to facilitate transport and offer the best possible protection for your products. DocShipper is able to provide you with the wooden crate you need to transport and protect your goods. This type of packaging is ideal for fragile objects or objects that need to be held in one direction.

 

Packing very important for the insurance 

It often happens that goods are damaged during sea or air transport. Thanks to our Experience and professionalism, it is very rare that your goods are damaged. Moreover, a good packaging is very important to reduce the price of the insurance policy you will have to pay.

 

Freight insurance 

How much does a freight insurance cost ?

The amount of your insurance policy is based on the value of your goods.

The following calculation is made : (freight value + product value) * 2-3%.

Of course, these rates depend on the goods being transported, the insurance companies, etc.

 

Supplier management in Vietnam 

Control quality in Vietnam 

We want you to find the best products for your business. Our quality control and sourcing team, can therefore, on your behalf, get in touch with your supplier in order to check its seriousness, packaging, HS code or even the quality of its products. We check every aspect of your product.

Thanks to this we can guarantee you a trouble-free shipment without any unpleasant surprises for you.

 

3PL Services in Vietnam 

Order fulfillment/Packing & labelling in Vietnam 

The supply chain is something very complicated to master, especially for complex products such as electronic products. That's why we can accompany you all along the supply chain.

 

Last kilometer delivery 

Thanks to our relations with our partners in South Korea and Vietnam, we can guarantee you a delivery to your home in Vietnam or South Korea and a delivery, unloading and unpacking service carried out by professionals.

 

Shipping personal effects from Vietnam 

Excess baggage 

If you bought too many souvenirs or other items during your trip and your luggage cannot be carried on the plane, we can arrange to have them delivered to your home.

The solution? DocShipper and its express delivery will allow you to receive your excess baggage quickly at home in Australia.

Moving service from Vietnam to South Korea

If you have difficulties with customs clearance, packing or storage, we can take care of it for you. Please see our relocation service page: Moving services

Can DocShipper handle my personal effects from Vietnam to South Korea?

We have a specialized moving service. We can therefore take care of your move perfectly. We have several services available, including packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, or just transportation to provide you the best, and the most personalize door-to-door service. We also take care of customs clearance.

What is the cheapest way to ship goods from Vietnam to South Korea?

The cheapest method will depend on the volume. For volumes of less than 1 CBM the cheapest method is express shipping (DHL, FedEx, etc.). For volumes between 1 and 3 CBM air freight is the cheapest method. For volumes of more than 3 CBM sea freight is the cheapest.

What is the best between sea freight and air freight?

Sea freight will be the cheapest for volumes above 3 CBM. On the other hand, air freight has the advantage of being the fastest. Count 5 to 6 days from Vietnam to South Korea with sea freight against a few hours with air freight.

What we need to know to provide you a quote?

Prices depend on many factors, that's why we provide quotes individually. Therefore we need as much information as possible such as dimensions / weight / departure and arrival address / need for packing or loading service / volumetric weight are the information we need to give you a quotation.

Can I modify the delivery address once the freight process has begun?

You can change the delivery address, but please let us know as soon as possible to avoid extra costs.

 

DocShipper | Your dedicated freight forwarder in Vietnam !

 

Due to our attractive pricing, many customers trust our services and we thanks them. Stop overpaying the services and save money with our tailored package matching will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective solution.

Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!