South Korea, a country where modernity and tradition intertwine, not only captivates the world with its unique culture and scenery but is also renowned as a shopping paradise.

 

Places like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Namdaemun Market in Seoul are not only the birthplaces of fashion but also a paradise for shoppers. From the latest trendy clothing and beauty products to unique Korean souvenirs, you can find everything here, satisfying the shopping desires of tourists from all over the world.

 

 

However, after you've shopped for numerous desirable items in this shopping paradise, a question arises: how to send these treasures back to China safely and efficiently? For Chinese residents living in South Korea or short-term visitors, choosing a suitable courier service is crucial. The following content will provide you with detailed explanations.

 

Prohibited Items in South Korea

 

Drugs, narcotics, psychotropic substances, explosives, flammable items or other dangerous goods, radioactive materials, obscene materials

 

Items prohibited from import or circulation in the destination country, food (especially kimchi), Korean medicinal materials, animal and plant species, fungi, etc., or packaging that may harm workers or contaminate other mail or postal equipment (e.g., metal nails used for sealing envelopes, which should not have sharp edges or hinder postal operations)

 

Except for registered letters and insured letters, coins, banknotes, currency notes, various bearer bills, traveler's checks, platinum, gold, silver or gold, silver products, gemstones, jewelry, and other valuables are not allowed in the mail.

 

Courier Service Choices

 

EMS

 

 

This mailing method allows you to send documents up to 2kg and non-document items up to 30kg. EMS is the most convenient, safe, and fast way for international mailing. In case of mail loss or damage, compensation will be provided, and you can track the mail online. If you want to deliver the mail accurately and quickly to the recipient, EMS is recommended.

 

Cost Standards

 

 

Mailing Time:

 

Days required to mail to China (varies with postal conditions and mail types) generally takes 3-5 days.

 

Hanjin International Express

 

 

Hanjin International Express uses a comprehensive land, sea, and air logistics system for international cargo transportation and provides related services. Using Korean Air's direct flights, mailing documents and parcels from South Korea to China only takes 2-4 days. Envelopes and parcel boxes are provided for free.

 

Hanjin International Express has international express service counters in areas with many Chinese tourists, such as Lotte Mart Seoul Station and World Store (Jamsil), to provide more convenient services for customers. The establishment of these service counters makes sending items from South Korea to China more convenient and faster.

 

Mailing Time:

 

Standard service: 3-5 working days; Economy service: 5-7 working days

 

Transportation Restrictions:

 

1. Price restrictions: Goods exceeding 3 million Korean won or 2,500 US dollars

2. Specification restrictions: If a package weighs more than 20Kg; if a piece of cargo's dimensions exceed 160cm in width, length, height, or the longest side exceeds 100cm

3. Item restrictions: Dangerous goods, prohibited or restricted items as defined by the International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organization, relevant national governments, and other organizations

 

Shipping Costs:

 

Shipping costs vary depending on the type of document, mode of transportation, and weight.

 

DHL

 

 

DHL is a well-known company under the global postal and logistics group Deutsche Post DHL, mainly including the following business divisions: DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, and DHL Supply Chain. As the undisputed global market leader in the international express and logistics industry, it has been operating in Singapore for over 40 years. The biggest advantage of using DHL to send parcels from Singapore is speed, but the downside is that it's not cost-effective for small goods, and there are strict restrictions on the items shipped.

 

Mailing Time:

 

The main types of express delivery available for mailing from South Korea to China include:

 

• International Express Delivery: Fast delivery, generally delivered on the second working day, maximum weight 70kg.

 

• International Parcel Delivery: Generally delivered within 3-14 working days, maximum parcel weight 20kg.

 

• International Mail: Maximum parcel weight 2kg, generally delivered within 3-14 working days, economical and suitable for international transportation of low-weight products.

 

Shipping Costs:

 

DHL's official website does not provide a complete price list from South Korea to various cities in China. Each express delivery can be chosen based on the actual weight and the cities of dispatch and destination. For specific charges, you can visit the DHL official website, enter the destination, package weight, dimensions, etc., for a quick quote.

 

Mailing Method:

 

DHL has many service points, so choose the nearest one. You can also book a pickup online on the DHL official website or by phone: 1588-0001 (within South Korea); +82-2-6915-0801 (overseas).

 

Basic Process of Mailing from South Korea to China

 

Prepare the package and place an order

Choose suitable packaging materials, noting that the maximum weight of a package should not exceed 30 kilograms.

After selecting a suitable logistics company, place an order on its official website. The recipient's name, address, and contact information must be accurately written on the waybill. Additionally, the customs declaration form must specify the name, quantity, and price of the mailed items, and whether insurance is needed. Most logistics companies now offer door-to-door pickup services.

Schedule a pickup or deliver the package yourself

Almost all logistics companies offer door-to-door pickup services. You can contact the courier or schedule a pickup on their official website. Of course, you can also choose to deliver the package to the post office or a local collection point yourself.

Fill in the mail details form

Take EMS as an example. When mailing items through EMS, you need to fill in the dedicated mail details form correctly. There are two types of mail numbers starting with EE and EM. EE is for items that do not require customs clearance, mainly documents; EM is for items that require customs clearance in the destination country, generally parcels. Please choose the appropriate mail details form according to the type of items you are mailing. When filling in the mail details form, you must truthfully fill in the name of the mailed items in English.

Pay the courier fee and send the package

After packing, filling in the mail details form, and settling the payment, the postage is charged based on the weight of the mail. Different post offices have different cutoff times for accepting mail. If you send the mail after the cutoff time, it will be classified as the next day's mail.

Customs

1. Regulations for personal mailed items entering the country: The limit for personal mailed items entering the country is 800 RMB per time. Items exceeding this amount may be subject to customs duties.

2. Tax rates for different items:

High-end watches (taxable price of 10,000 RMB and above): 50% tax rate.

Home appliances (such as dishwashers, electric juicers, etc.): The tax rate is usually around 20%.

Electronic products (such as mobile phones, computers, etc.): The tax rate may vary depending on the specific type and value of the product.

3. Determination of the tax rate: The tax rate is usually determined based on the type, value, and quantity of the items. Customs will calculate the tax payable based on the actual purchase price or valuation of the items.

4. Tax rates for special items: Certain special items (such as tobacco, alcohol, etc.) may have specific tax rates and restrictions.

5. Tax-free allowances: For some specific items, such as personal clothing, books, etc., there may be certain tax-free allowances.

6. Calculation of tax amount: The payable import duty amount = taxable price × import duty rate.

When choosing a courier service from South Korea to China, it's crucial to understand the features and service scope of each courier company. Whether for personal or business purposes, choosing the right courier service can save time and money and ensure the safe arrival of the package.

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