FAQ

The general flow for using a forwarding service is: Pre-order check → Place order on overseas store → Submit application → Center receiving → Shipping fee confirmed → Dispatch/Domestic delivery.

• Before ordering, check restricted items, customs limitations, and estimated duties.
• When placing your order, make sure the center address, your name, and mailbox information are all correct.
• After ordering, enter the product name, quantity, actual payment amount, and tracking number accurately in the application form.
• Once received at the center, the shipping fee is determined based on actual weight and volumetric weight, and dispatch occurs after payment.

The center address is critical — even a single character difference can delay receiving confirmation at the overseas store.

• Enter Address1, Address2, City, State, and Zip Code exactly as shown in the center guide.
• If your name or mailbox information is missing, it may be difficult to distinguish your order from others at the same center.
• If an old center address is saved in the store, make sure to update it to the latest address before ordering.

The most common mistake for beginners is buying products first and checking customs conditions afterward.

• Items with special regulations — such as batteries, liquids, food, medicine, perfume, and alcohol — should be checked before ordering.
• Verify that your personal customs code and recipient information are up to date.
• If you may exceed the duty-free threshold, it is safer to estimate costs in advance using the Korea Customs Service duty calculator.

Related: Korea Customs Service Overseas Direct Purchase Estimated Duty Calculator

Before price, you should check seller reliability, domestic shipping method, return policy, and customs eligibility.

• Confirm whether the shipping method provides tracking.
• Look for terms that may affect delivery timing, such as pre-order, backorder, or consolidated shipping.
• For large items, volumetric weight and additional domestic delivery fees can exceed the product price.

Ordering itself is fine, but orders placed on the same day from the same seller may be treated as split orders by customs, so caution is needed.

• Sending taxable items purchased from the same seller on the same date in separate shipments may trigger combined taxation issues.
• The seller may combine multiple orders into a single box at their discretion, so do not assume the arrival method in advance.
• For urgent items versus items you can wait for, it is easier to manage by separating the orders from the start.

Related: Korea Customs Service List Clearance FAQ · Korea Customs Service Overseas Direct Purchase Estimated Duty Calculator

If your order details change, the application form must also be updated to match the final payment details.

• If color, size, or quantity changed, update the product information in the application form accordingly.
• If there was a partial cancellation, re-enter the quantity and amount based on the remaining items only.
• If the order changes just before arrival at the center, update the changes immediately to prevent receiving delays.

The safest timing is immediately after placing your overseas store order. At the latest, basic information should be entered before the package arrives at the center.

• Even without a tracking number yet, you can start by entering the order number, product name, and amount.
• If a package arrives without an application form on file, receiving confirmation may be significantly delayed.

The application form may be used as a customs reference document, so you must enter the actual product name and actual payment amount.

• Use names that clearly indicate the product type, such as "clothing" for apparel and "shoes" for footwear.
• Entering only a brand name or lumping everything as "miscellaneous goods" may prolong customs verification.
• For orders with discount coupons applied, enter the actual amount paid. Avoid underreporting.

Many sellers issue tracking numbers late, so it is better to submit the application form first and add the tracking number later rather than waiting.

• If an order is shipped in multiple packages, there may be multiple tracking numbers, so check the final status.
• Without a tracking number, center receiving confirmation may take longer.

"Delivered" from the US carrier means the local scan is complete, but additional time is usually needed before actual receiving is processed at the center.

• Arrival scans are not immediately registered as received, so allowing about one business day is typical.
• During major sale events or right after weekends, receiving updates may be further delayed.

Partial arrivals are not uncommon. Sellers often split orders into multiple boxes or ship backordered items separately.

• First check your order for terms like split shipment, partial shipment, or backorder.
• Review whether the order has multiple tracking numbers.
• If the remaining items have not arrived well past the expected date, contacting the seller with the shipping details is the fastest approach.

Not always. Consolidated shipping can reduce the number of boxes, but if the volume increases, shipping costs may actually go up.

• For small, lightweight items, combining is often advantageous.
• Bulky items like shoe boxes, padded jackets, and large household goods may be disadvantageous to combine.
• Urgent orders, orders with different customs requirements, and fragile items are safer shipped separately.

The shipping fee is usually calculated after the package arrives at the center and the actual weight and volumetric weight are confirmed once packaging is settled.

• The estimated shipping fee shown right after ordering is only a reference and may not be the final amount.
• The amount may change depending on package size, additional packaging, and the shipping method used.

International shipping rates reflect not only weight but also the space the box occupies, so even lightweight items in large boxes may cost more.

• Sneaker boxes, electronics with lots of cushioning, and large household goods tend to have a significant volumetric weight impact.
• If the packaging box is excessive relative to the product itself, the shipping fee may be higher than expected.
• Oversized or long-length cargo may incur additional charges during domestic delivery.

International departure and domestic tracking activation may not happen immediately.

• After dispatch, the process goes through air transit, customs clearance, and then handover to the domestic carrier.
• Even after customs clearance, if domestic carrier pickup is delayed, it may take additional time before tracking is updated.

For e-commerce express shipments, you should assume that a personal customs code is required.

• According to the Korea Customs Service FAQ, personal customs codes are required for express list clearance of e-commerce goods.
• The Korea Customs Service has strengthened verification starting February 2, 2026, now cross-checking the delivery address postal code in addition to name and phone number for targeted users.
• This enhanced measure is being phased in for those who newly obtained or changed their information after November 21, 2025.

Related: Korea Customs Service Personal Customs Code FAQ · Korea Customs Service Personal Customs Code Verification Enhancement

According to the Korea Customs Service FAQ, list clearance is a simplified customs procedure applicable to personal-use goods valued at USD 150 or less, or USD 200 or less for items from the US.

• The threshold amount includes not only the product price but also taxes within the origin country, inland freight, and insurance.
• If the amount exceeds the threshold or if non-list-clearance items are included, a general import declaration is required.
• Duty-free eligibility depends not only on price but also on the personal-use recognition limits for each product category.

Related: Korea Customs Service List Clearance FAQ · Korea Customs Service Overseas Direct Purchase Estimated Duty Calculator

Customs delays should generally be checked in this order: recipient information mismatch, personal customs code issues, product verification needed, ingredient/document review.

• First check whether the recipient name, phone number, and postal code match the latest information on file.
• Products requiring category verification — such as health supplements, medicines, cosmetics, and perfumes — may take longer than general goods.
• Even after customs release, handover delays to the domestic carrier can make it appear delayed, so distinguish between customs completion and delivery start.

According to the Korea Customs Service FAQ, the personal-use allowance for health supplements and general medicines is up to 6 bottles each.

• Medicines exceeding 6 bottles are generally evaluated based on a 3-month supply according to the recommended dosage.
• If ingredient labeling is unclear or hazardous ingredients are identified, clearance may be blocked regardless of the duty-free threshold.

Related: Korea Customs Service Health Supplements and Medicines FAQ · Korea Customs Service Banned Ingredients FAQ

Cosmetics and perfumes should not be judged solely by price like general clothing or accessories.

• According to the Korea Customs Service FAQ, functional cosmetics and cosmetics with unclear ingredient information may be excluded from list clearance.
• For perfumes, it is safer to first check the tax structure, which differs from general goods.
• Personal-use allowance depends not only on price but also on ingredients and intended use.

Related: Korea Customs Service Cosmetics Overseas Direct Purchase FAQ · Korea Customs Service Overseas Direct Purchase Estimated Duty Calculator

Alcohol and tobacco should not be treated like general goods. Separate tax categories or additional standards may apply.

• According to the Korea Customs Service estimated duty guide, alcohol valued at USD 150 or less may still be subject to liquor tax and education tax.
• Tobacco also has a different tax structure from general goods, so judging by the duty-free threshold alone can lead to significant miscalculations.
• For these product categories, it is safer to verify the tax amount and import eligibility before placing an order.

Related: Korea Customs Service Overseas Direct Purchase Estimated Duty Calculator

According to the Korea Customs Service FAQ, small-value goods with a dutiable value of USD 1,000 or less can apply for preferential tariff rates without submitting a separate certificate of origin.

• However, simply purchasing from a US store does not automatically qualify — the actual country of origin is what matters.
• Having a purchase receipt and origin labeling on the product helps support the application.

Related: Korea Customs Service Small-value Goods FTA FAQ

FTA eligibility is based on the country of origin, not the selling country, so if proof is unclear, the general tariff rate may apply.

• It is a good idea to keep the invoice, origin markings, and product detail page screenshots together.
• Artificially splitting imports to stay within the USD 1,000 threshold is not permitted.

Related: Korea Customs Service Small-value Goods FTA FAQ

The items most frequently blocked are lithium batteries, flammable liquids, aerosols, magnetic materials, compressed gases, and weapons-related items.

• Shipment may be refused at the airline or local carrier stage entirely.
• The handling standard for the same product can vary depending on whether it contains a battery, its capacity, and packaging condition.
• For uncertain products, checking before ordering is far safer than asking after.

Customs issues arise not only with hazardous materials but also frequently with food, feed, medicines, cosmetics, products containing animal/plant ingredients, and suspected counterfeit goods.

• Health supplements or cosmetics with unclear ingredient labeling may face extended customs verification.
• If banned ingredients are found, the product may be returned or destroyed.
• Products suspected of trademark infringement may be held pending authenticity verification.

Related: Korea Customs Service Health Supplements and Medicines FAQ · Korea Customs Service Banned Ingredients FAQ