Exporting to South Korea: A guide to the e-commerce hotspot

Looking to grow your business internationally? Consider adding South Korea to your shortlist. It boasts one of the world's most mature and advanced retail markets. And though domestic e-commerce has slowed, cross-border e-commerce is growing rapidly – presenting businesses like yours with lots of lucrative opportunities.

All you need is an international shipping partner and some insights into the local market and you’ll be ready to go! Read on as we explore how to export to South Korea, including the consumer trends that will help your business engage and convert prospects there.   

What do South Korean shoppers buy online?

Which cross-border markets do South Korean shoppers favor?

Online purchases from foreign e-commerce brands reached US$4.7 billion in 2022⁸. China took the biggest share, followed by the US and Japan⁹. It was the first year the US didn’t take first place in the rankings – due in part to unfavourable exchange rates.

How do South Korean shoppers like to pay online?

South Korea is a card-based online shopping economy, with a 73% market share. Looking ahead to 2024, card use is set to decline slightly as digital wallets grow in use.¹⁰

Where do consumers in South Korea shop online?

Online marketplaces can be a helpful gateway for cross-border businesses wishing to sell to a new country for the first time.

Leading South Korean online marketplaces, as of October 2023¹¹

(By monthly visits, in millions)

Holidays and events to look out for

Customs and import regulations for exporting to South Korea

What you'll need for customs clearance

• De Minimis Clearance is a clearance method that allows goods to be cleared only with an invoice with the names, phone numbers, addresses of the consignor and the consignee, and the description, price, and weight of the goods. In this case, the resident registration ID number (including the personal clearance code) of the owner is required. List Import Declaration may apply for goods for personal use or commercial samples that do not exceed US$150 (US$200 dollars for the goods from US) if they are not one of the following goods excluded from the list Declaration.

• Informal Clearance may apply for goods priced between US$150 (US$200 dollars for goods from the US) and US$2,000. South Korea Customs will allow goods to be cleared without an inspection if the declared details, such as the description, value, etc. of the goods, are deemed accurate. However, for some goods, including prohibited goods for import, simplified import declaration doesn't apply. In this case, an import declaration should be made following the procedures of the general import declaration.

• Formal Clearance is required for goods with a price higher than US$2,000.

The taxes you’ll need to pay when importing to South Korea

Useful links

DHL’s 6 insider tips for exporting to South Korea 

1. Provide accurate information for B2C shipments. Consignee's company name, item description, amount, PCCC (Personal Customs Clearance Code) etc.
2. Don’t under-value your goods. If you lower the value of the goods on the invoice to pay less customs duty, you may be subject to prosecution for document forgery. In addition to fines, you may undergo thorough inspections for each subsequent importation.
3. Watch out for intellectual property infringement. Goods infringing intellectual property rights through imitation and counterfeiting cannot be imported into the country regardless of their purpose or quantity. 
4. Optimize for mobile. South Korea has a high proportion of mobile phone users. To boost purchases among Korean consumers, it is crucial to provide a purchase experience that is optimized for the mobile environment.
5. Leverage influencer marketing. Using well-known South Korean personalities will help you build trust in your brand.   
6. Same-day delivery is the new standard. South Korea is a geographically small country, making same-day delivery possible. Many e-commerce platforms in Korea offer a variety of convenient delivery options, from next-day delivery to same-day delivery. To target Korean consumers, fast delivery is not an option—it's a must.