How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to South Korea
China and South Korea have frequent trade exchanges. As one of the closest countries geographically, the demand for shipping from China to South Korea has remained high. Whether it is sea freight, air freight or express delivery, the choice of transportation method will affect the final cost. So, what are the ways to ship from China to South Korea? How much does it cost to ship?
There are two main ways to ship goods from China to South Korea: sea freight and air freight. These two methods offer unique advantages depending on your cargo needs, such as cost, speed, and the type of goods being shipped.
Sea Freight from China to South Korea
Sea freight is one of the most popular and cost-effective ways to ship goods from China to South Korea, especially large or heavy goods. Most goods are shipped from major Chinese ports to major Korean destinations such as Busan, Incheon and Pyeongtaek by container ships and bulk carriers.
Sea freight is suitable for bulk goods, heavy machinery, building materials, car tires, etc. Because China and South Korea are close to each other, sea freight time is short and cost is low, it is the first choice for most companies.
Air Freight from China to South Korea
Air freight is a popular choice for shipping goods between China and South Korea because it is fast and efficient, usually only takes 1 to 3 days. If your goods need to be delivered quickly, such as electronic products, clothing, medical supplies, etc., air freight is the best choice.
Major airports in China and South Korea
- Major airports in China: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
- Major airports in South Korea: Incheon International Airport (ICN), Gimpo International Airport (GMP), Busan Gimhae International Airport (PUS)
Cost of shipping from China to South Korea
| Shipping Mode | Cost |
|---|---|
| LCL (Less than Container Load) | $50-$100 per cubic meter |
| FCL (20-foot container) | $500-$1,500 |
| FCL (40-foot container) | $800-$2,000 |
| Express Shipping | $5-$10 per kilogram |
| Air Freight | $3-$6 per kilogram |
Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To South Korea
| Container shipping service from China to South Korea | Type of container | Ocean freight rates from China to South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $750 20FT average price from: $1050 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $650 20FT average price from: $1250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $800 20FT average price from: $1350 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $550 20FT average price from: $1250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $1050 20FT average price from: $1350 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $850 20FT average price from: $1450 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $950 20FT average price from: $1550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $650 20FT average price from: $1650 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $750 20FT average price from: $1350 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to South Korea | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $850 20FT average price from: $1650 40FT |
Cost of shipping LCL from China to Korea
| Port of Origin (China) | Port of Destination (South Korea) | LCL (per CBM) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Busan | $60 |
| Shenzhen | Incheon | $55 |
| Ningbo | Gwangyang | $65 |
| Qingdao | Busan | $60 |
| Guangzhou | Pyeongtaek | $65 |
Air freight from China to South Korea cost per kilogram
The cost of air freight from China to South Korea is about US$4-7 per kilogram. The specific cost will fluctuate due to many factors such as the distance between the departure and arrival airports, the size and weight of the goods, etc.
| Weight Range | Cost per KG (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| 100kg – 299kg | $5.50 – $7.00 |
| 300kg – 1000kg | $4.50 – $6.50 |
| 1000kg+ | $4.10 – $5.50 |
Factors affecting the cost of shipping from China to South Korea
The cost of shipping from China to South Korea mainly depends on the following factors:
Mode of transportation: Sea freight is cheaper than air freight, and express delivery is usually more expensive but has the fastest time.
Cargo weight and volume: Freight is usually calculated in kilograms (kg) or cubic meters (CBM). The larger the volume and the heavier the weight, the higher the cost.
Origin and destination: Freight costs vary from port to port in China, and the destination in South Korea will also affect the final price.
Customs clearance and tariffs: Korea’s import tariffs and consumption taxes may affect the overall logistics costs.
Additional fees: such as fuel surcharges, storage fees, loading and unloading fees, etc.
If you are interested in the cost of shipping from China to other Asian countries, you can read:
Shipping time from China to South Korea
| Shipping Mode | Transit Time |
|---|---|
| Full Container Load (FCL) | 3-7 days |
| Less than Container Load (LCL) | 5-10 days |
| Air Freight | 1-3 days |
| Express Shipping | 1-2 days |
Door to Door Shipping from China to South Korea
The door-to-door shipping process from China to South Korea is as follows:
Booking and shipment preparation
Contact a freight forwarder: Contact a reliable freight forwarder to arrange the freight, providing details such as the nature of the goods, weight, volume and preferred mode of transportation (air or sea).
Packing: Make sure the goods are properly packaged, labeled and ready for shipping. The necessary documents (commercial invoice, packing list, certificates, etc.) should be prepared in advance.
Pick up from the supplier
Pick up: The freight forwarder arranges to pick up the goods from the supplier’s location or your warehouse in China.
Shipping to port/airport: Depending on the mode of transportation (sea or air), the goods will be transported to the designated departure port or airport.
China Export Customs Clearance
Customs Clearance: Freight forwarders assist with China export customs clearance, ensuring that all documents are submitted and approved.
Shipping from China to South Korea
Air Freight: For air freight, the goods will be loaded onto direct or combined flights. Transit time is usually 1-5 days.
Sea Freight: For sea freight, the goods will be loaded into containers (FCL or LCL) and shipped to South Korea. Transit time is usually 5-10 days.
South Korea Import Customs Clearance
South Korea Customs Clearance: Upon arrival at the destination port (Pusan, Incheon, etc.) or airport (Incheon, Gimpo, etc.), the freight forwarder will handle import customs clearance and submit the necessary documents (Bill of Lading/Airway Bill, Commercial Invoice, etc.) to the South Korean Customs.
Final Delivery to Destination
Transportation to Final Destination: Once customs are cleared, the goods are transported from the port or airport to the final delivery location, whether it is a business address, warehouse or private residence.
Goods Delivery: Door-to-door service is completed when the goods arrive at the recipient’s address in South Korea.
This process covers every step from pickup to final delivery, ensuring smooth and seamless transportation from China to South Korea.
The shipping cost from China to South Korea depends on your cargo type, transportation method and timeliness requirements. Sea freight has the lowest cost, but it takes longer; air freight and express delivery are suitable for high-value and urgent cargo. If you are not sure which transportation method to choose, please contact Basenton Logistics, we will provide you with the best logistics solution!