Moving to South Korea from the USA
Moving from the USA to South Korea means coordinating two customs systems on a timeline that depends on your own arrival date, not just when your shipment leaves the US. As an FMC-licensed door-to-door moving company, SDC handles export packing, ocean or air transport, Korean customs clearance, and delivery to Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Jeju City, and beyond, for American families, returning Korean citizens, and students alike. We also handle fine art and pianos with specialized crating built for long ocean transit. For a full overview of our process, visit our international household moving services page.
South Korea Customs: The Rule Most Guides Get Wrong
South Korean customs applies two separate rules that get frequently collapsed into one. The first is a usage requirement: goods owned and used for more than three months before your move generally qualify for duty-free entry under Korea’s moving-goods declaration process. Items used less than three months are treated as new and are taxable, full stop.
The second is a shipping deadline measured from a different date than most people assume: your shipment must arrive in Korea within six months of your own arrival date in Korea, not six months from when your container left the US. Land in Seoul in March but clear the Korean port in October, and you can fall outside the window even if everything was booked well in advance. Your coordinator builds your shipping timeline around your confirmed arrival date for exactly this reason.
Eligibility depends on your intended stay: generally at least one year in Korea, or six months with family. Some items stay taxable regardless of ownership length, including vehicles and jewelry, pearls, or ivory above roughly 5 million won. Korea also raised its per-household exemption limits on certain appliance categories in 2022, so a rule you heard a few years ago may no longer apply. See our complete guide to international customs regulations for the documentation process across corridors.
Shipping Options to South Korea
We tailor your move to shipment size, timing, and service preferences, recommending the packing approach, container plan, and delivery timeline that fits your home.
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is the most cost-effective option for full households. An exclusive 20 or 40-foot container (FCL) suits a full home or a vehicle; a shared container (LCL) suits smaller volumes like a one or two-bedroom apartment. Transit from the US West Coast to Busan runs 18 to 25 days, add one to two weeks from the East Coast. Total door-to-door time, including packing and Korean customs clearance, typically runs eight to twelve weeks, timed against your arrival date to stay inside the six-month window above.
Air Freight and Door-to-Door Service
Air freight suits essentials that need to move fast, typically five to ten business days including export and import handling; many clients combine air for essentials with ocean for the rest of the household. Door-to-door service covers pickup, export coordination, transport, and delivery under one coordinator; port-to-port covers the freight leg only, leaving pickup and drop-off to you. Most clients moving to South Korea choose door-to-door.
Vehicle Shipping to South Korea
SDC ships vehicles only inside containers alongside household goods. We do not offer stand-alone car shipments or RoRo service.
Unlike household goods, vehicles don’t get the three-month usage exemption; Korean customs treats them as dutiable regardless of ownership length, with a narrow exception for vehicles previously exported from Korea. Importing one also requires proof of ownership, registration history, and compliance with Korean safety and emissions standards, so we’ll walk through whether a vehicle actually makes financial sense before you commit. See our international car shipping page for how vehicle shipping works across our corridors.
What Does a Move to South Korea Cost?
Every move is priced on shipment size, packing scope, and service level; cubic volume is the biggest variable, since it drives container size, packing labor, and base freight rate. Start with an inventory call and we’ll translate your list into a tailored plan and quote covering packing, transport, insurance, customs guidance, and delivery.
Protecting Your Shipment: Marine Insurance
Even with careful packing, weather and handling introduce risk across the multiple handoffs of an ocean move. Marine insurance provides a financial safety net, whether you insure the full shipment or select coverage for high-value items like fine art, antiques, or instruments.
Special Handling: Pianos, Artwork, and Fragile Items
For pianos, we stabilize moving parts, protect finishes, and secure the instrument inside the container against vibration. For artwork and antiques, we build custom supports that reduce pressure points and guard against humidity swings during the voyage. Learn more about our packing services.
Pets and Your Move
SDC does not transport pets. If you’re relocating with a cat or dog, we can refer you to dedicated pet relocation specialists so vaccinations, microchipping, and Korean entry permits are handled correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the six-month customs rule about how long I’ve owned my things, or something else?
They’re two different rules. Duty-free eligibility depends on having used the item for more than three months before your move. The six-month figure is a separate shipping deadline: your goods must arrive in Korea within six months of your own arrival date there, not six months from when you shipped from the US.
Are new items I bought before my move dutiable?
Yes. Items used less than three months before your move are treated as new and taxable on arrival, regardless of price. Your coordinator reviews your inventory ahead of time and flags anything likely to trigger duties.
Can I ship my car to South Korea with my household goods?
Yes, when it’s containerized alongside your household goods; we don’t offer car-only shipping or RoRo service. Vehicles are taxable in Korea regardless of how long you’ve owned them, with a narrow exception for vehicles previously exported from Korea, so factor that into your decision to ship a car at all.
How long does shipping to South Korea take?
Ocean transit from the US West Coast to Busan runs about 18 to 25 days; add one to two weeks from the East Coast. Total door-to-door time including packing, port processing, and customs clearance typically runs eight to twelve weeks. Air freight runs five to ten business days in transit.
Start Your Move to South Korea with SDC
We know the details that keep your timeline and budget on track, from timing your shipment against your own arrival date to flagging which items in your inventory could trigger duties before you pack a box. We’ll review your list, identify restricted categories early, and coordinate packing, documentation, and delivery to your new home in South Korea.
