Send parcel to South Korea

Why is South Korea an interesting destination for shipments from Italy?

South Korea is the fourth-largest economy in Asia, and its connection to Italy is closer than you might think. Made in Italy has a loyal following in Seoul: Italian fashion, design and food are well represented in department stores and Korean e-commerce. Since 2011, a free trade agreement between the EU and South Korea has reduced or eliminated duties on most European products. Italian companies ship samples, supplies and promotional materials. Private individuals send gifts, clothing and food products to family members, students and colleagues living in Seoul, Busan or Incheon.

How do you write a Korean address?

The Korean format is different from the Italian one but easy to understand. You go from largest to smallest: province or metropolitan city, city, district ("gu"), neighbourhood ("dong"), street and house number, and finally the name. For international shipments, the Latin transliteration is used. Example: "Kim Minjun, 23 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236, SOUTH KOREA". Korean postcodes have 5 digits. Essential: always include the recipient's local phone number with the +82 country code. Korean couriers call before delivery, and without a contact number the parcel ends up in storage. If the recipient lives in an apartment (very common in Seoul), also include the name of the complex and the unit number.

Korean customs: what do you need for shipping from Italy?

South Korea is not in the EU, so every shipment goes through customs. The good news: Korean customs is among the most efficient and digitalised in Asia, and clearance times are generally fast. A clear description of the goods in English with a realistic declared value is required. For commercial shipments: a detailed commercial invoice with customs codes (HS Code). For gifts and personal use: a proforma invoice with a description of the contents. Thanks to the EU-Korea free trade agreement, many products of European origin benefit from reduced or zero duties. To take advantage of this, a declaration of origin on the commercial invoice is sufficient. After placing your order on europacco.com, you'll receive all the instructions for the documentation.

Chuseok, Seollal and other holidays: when does Korea slow down?

The two main holidays are Seollal (Lunar New Year, between late January and mid-February) and Chuseok (harvest festival, in September or October). Both officially last three days, but in practice the country slows down for about a week: offices closed, couriers operating with reduced staff, millions of Koreans travelling between cities. Delays can build up in the days immediately afterwards. For shipments with fixed deadlines during these periods, allow at least two weeks of lead time. The rest of the year, Korean logistics are fast and reliable.

Can I ship Italian food products to South Korea?

Korean interest in Italian food is enormous: pasta, olive oil, coffee, sweets and aged cheeses are among the most sought-after products. For private shipments of small quantities for personal use, the process is relatively straightforward. For commercial food shipments, specific certifications and compliance with Korean health regulations (MFDS) are required. Some fresh or perishable products cannot be shipped by courier. Packaged, long-life products with correct labelling have the best chance of clearing customs without issues. Delivery time from Italy to South Korea is 8 to 10 working days.