Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Jan, 04 2026
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To South Korea?
South Korea Container Shipping Cost
Someone looking to ship items to South Korea has a lot of research to do in order to understand everything that comes with it. For starters, the size of your cargo, and the distance between the origin and the destination, will be a factor in determining the cost of shipping. If you can’t wrap your head around all that, let Three Movers ship your items from the origin port for you. We can ship your container to a wide variety of countries, including South Korea.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping to South Korea
When considering the cost of shipping freight, the following 5 factors will be crucial:
- The volume and weight of the items to be shipped: A higher volume or weight of items, depending on the type of transportation, will have a direct impact on the cost.
- The type of transportation used: Air freight transportation is faster, but it will increase the cost of shipping when compared to freight by sea.
- Distance: Naturally, the distance between the two countries will affect the cost of cargo.
- The destination port: The destination port will have an impact on the types of taxes and fees you’ll face. For South Korea, this will probably be Busan.
- The peak period for shipping items to South Korea is between July and October. The period between January and February is another busy time because of the Chinese new year. Shipping during these periods affects the cost of cargo.
Which Size of Freight Container will Best for Me?
There’s a lot involved in selecting the correct size of the container. However, the average person will go with a 20ft or 40ft size. The contents of a three-bedroom house can fit into a 20ft shipping container. You can ship a car in one of these containers, but there won’t be much space left. If your cargo is larger than these estimates, you are better off with a 40ft container.
There are two types of container load options to choose from. For most people, you’ll go with Full Container Load (FCL). However, there are situations where a person’s cargo doesn't fill a container. For these cases, you can opt for Less Than Container Load (LCL). In LCL, shipments from different clients will be aggregated into a single container and shipped. Cubic meters is the metric used in calculating shipping cost.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To South Korea
Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container freight to South Korea of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Delivery Charges | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $330 |
| 40 ft Container | $380 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to South Korea.
Less Than Container (LCL) Delivery Charges | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $55/CBM |
| Household Goods | $430 |
| Personal Effects | $485 |
International house moving to South Korea services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $460 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1250 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $1850 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $2200 |
International auto transport services to South Korea via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1070 |
| SUV (Container) | $1130 |
| Sedan via RORO | $750 |
| SUV via RORO | $810 |
Understanding The Different Types of Freight Transportation
The main methods of freight transportation are sea, air, ground, and rail. The first two methods are the most common methods of transporting cargo into the country.
The choice of method depends on the kind of items being shipped. If the cargo consists of household items or a car, shipping by ocean freight services is a more suitable option, as the size is less of a factor. Your cargo arrives at the seaport where it is offloaded, cleared by the authorities, and then sent to the intended destination.
There is also the option of freight transportation by air. It can be quicker than sea freight, but it is usually more expensive. Smaller items, fragile items, or items that are time-sensitive, will benefit from air freight shipping. In the case of air transport, the cargo has to be inspected and cleared at the destination airport and then transported inland by a vehicle or a smaller plane.
Additional Shipping Prices
There are usually additional shipping costs when freight a container anywhere. The additional cargo costs to expect are:
- Insurance: Insuring items adds to the overall cost of shipping. This is vital in providing much-needed cover for your cargo.
- Custom fees: South Korea has a flat import value-added tax (VAT) of 10%. Certain luxury goods might have an extra 10% excise fee.
- Inspection: You might be charged for inspection of the shipped items if they are of the luxury kind, like certain animals.
- General Rate Increase (GRI): This is an adjustment of freight rates across specific trade routes. If the demand for cargo on a route increases, shipping costs might also increase.
- Delivery Times: The delivery times can add to shipping costs. If a client requires express cargo, there will be additional costs.
What is the Next Step?
The next step is contacting Three Movers for a free quote. You can fill the online form or call us at (888) 202-0036.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to South Korea typically ranges from $2,800–$4,800 for a 20ft container and $4,200–$7,200 for a 40ft container from major U.S. ports. Pricing is influenced by container size, origin port, fuel surcharges, carrier availability, and seasonal demand. Door-to-door service, insurance, and inland transport increase totals. For broader benchmarks, see international moving costs.
: Container shipping rates to South Korea are driven by departure port, container type, cargo weight, fuel adjustment factors, and port congestion at Busan or Incheon. Peak season surcharges commonly apply from late summer through early fall. Additional charges may include packing, port handling, customs clearance, and inland delivery after arrival.
Shipping a 40ft container to South Korea usually costs $4,200–$7,200, with West Coast ports typically cheaper than East Coast origins. Prices rise with high-cube containers, overweight loads, peak shipping windows, and optional services like packing or door delivery. Transit times average 18–35 days port-to-port.
Customs duties and taxes are not included in container shipping quotes. South Korea applies a 10% Value Added Tax (VAT) on imports, calculated on a CIF basis. Many U.S.-origin goods qualify for duty-free entry, but classification errors can trigger charges. VAT, inspections, and port fees are paid after arrival during customs clearance.
Required documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin for qualifying goods. Household goods shipments may also require a passport copy and itemized inventory. Documentation must align exactly with the cargo to avoid inspections or storage delays. This process aligns with standard moving overseas shipping costs procedures.
A customs broker is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Brokers manage HS code classification, VAT processing, document submission, and customs coordination, reducing clearance delays. This is especially helpful for household goods or mixed cargo. Broker support is commonly included with international moving company services.
Container shipping to South Korea typically takes 18–25 days from West Coast ports and 30–40 days from East Coast ports, excluding inland transport. Transit time depends on carrier routing, transshipment stops, port congestion, and customs clearance speed. Door-to-door moves add several days for pickup and final delivery.
Container shipping is the most cost-effective option for large household moves, commercial shipments, and vehicle-inclusive loads. Full container loads reduce handling risk and offer predictable pricing compared to air freight. This method is standard for relocations handled by moving companies USA to South Korea.
