International Parcel Delivery | Blog

Best Economical Worldwide Shipping from South Korea to Canada

Written by Timothy Byrnes | November 05, 2024

Korea to Canada shipping

Canada and Korea enjoy strong economic relations and Jet Worldwide helps connect both countries with our cross-border parcel delivery. Korean products to Canada include fashion and cosmetics. Businesses rely on finding the cheapest option shipping from South Korea to Canada.

South Korea is one of Canada’s top 10 largest merchandise trading partners. Trade between South Korea and Canada totals over $10 billion per year. The implementation of the Korean-Canadian Free Trade Agreement is benefiting Korean and Canadian companies (see details below on the Korean-Canadian Free Trade Agreement - CKFTA).

Common goods the ship from South Korea to Canada includes electronics, automotive, cosmetics and textiles.

Expand your cross border transportation and logistics options between Korea, Canada and North America. Gain a one on one discussion with seasoned professionals. Strengthening your transportation team - even if you are a team of one! Learn about unique options to regional, national and country specific specialists. Contact our team for an initial consultation.

This Guide to Shipping to Canada from South Korea includes key aspects of shipping including carriers, customs and free trade.

  • Find the best way - or mode - of shipping from South Korea to Canada
  • Courier shipping options for packages and small freight Canada from South Korea
  • Shipping via Sea Freight to Canada from Korea
  • Air freight vs Sea Cargo: What is better?
  • Common import fees when importing goods to Canada from South Korea
  • Managing returns of Canadian online orders to Korea
  • Shipping between South Korea, USA and Canada
  • Import process and costs
  • Shipping terms to Canada (DDU or DDP?)
  • The CKFTA and preferential duty-free import
  • Qualifying for preferential duty free import
  • Explaining a certificate of origin and why it is important
  • Simpler CKFTA certification of origin for qualifying goods to Canada
  • Shipping text books to Canadian International Schools
  • Shipping from Korea to Canada and USA

Jet Worldwide provides parcel and pallet shipping and delivery between Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver and Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu Korea

What is the cost to ship to Canada from South Korea?

The cost of shipping to Canada from South Korea depends primarily on the size and weight of your shipment. Other factors that affect the cost including shipping address, value for insurance, type of service and carrier discount.

What cheapest way to ship to Canada from South Korea?

For individuals shipping personal items and small packages, the lowest cost option is usually via the Koran Post surface options. For businesses, the best option is via a commercial courier or via ocean.

Shipping costs from South Korea to Canada vary depending on the consignment's weight and dimensions

Shipping from South Korea to Canada can be via air or sea. Time, cost, and capacity are the key differences.

Freight cost estimates vary according to season and capacity. We welcome your enquiry. Our team provides a valuation service so you can compare from other providers. Fill in the form as shown below with the necessary details.

Can goods from Korea import to Canada duty free?

Goods that qualify as Korean origin can benefit from preferential duty free import. Just ship from Korea does not great origin status. The goods must qualify under the Canadian Korean free trade rules of origin.

Getting lower international shipping costs to Canada from Korea

  1. Use a shipping cost calculator to compare rates from different carriers.
  2. Consider surface options via the local post.
  3. Ship smaller packages to reduce the volume weight. Read about chargeable weight.
  4. If you are shipping a large volume of packages, you may be able to negotiate discounts with major carriers.
  5. Contact third-party shipping services that can provide both savings and - more important - logistics support.
  6. Check to see if your goods quality for duty free import. Read more about the Canadian Korean Free Trade Agreement. Read More: Certification of origin and when it is necessary.
  7. Consider using ocean transportation instead of air shipping for large commercial orders.

Find the Best Shipping Option to Canada from Korea

There are several shipping options available for sending goods from Korea to Canada. The best option depend primarily on size and weight of the shipment. Other factors include the type of goods and necessary transit time

Shipping from South Korea to Canada is easy with JetShip

Our logistics team helps connect Korean and Canadian companies. Shipping via the post, courier, air and ocean freight.

Download: Accompanying PDF

Options for Shipping International Packages from Korea

Shipping to Canada via Korean Post

The Korean Post's offers Express Mail Service (EMS) from Korea to Canada. Canada is in Zone 3 of the the EMS pricing from Korea.

Korean Post Shipping Options to Canada include:

  • International Packet (low cost shipping for up to 2 kg)
  • International parcel shipping options
  • EMS - Express Mail Service

International Packet shipping is the preference for individuals shipping small parcels from South Korea to Canada.

Shipping from South Korea to Canada via FedEx and UPS

FedEx and UPS are North America's dominant carriers. They, along with DHL, offer value reliable parcel delivery service from Korea. Get Your Instant Shipping Rate from Korea to Canada Now!

FedEx and UPS shipping options include:

  • International priority express delivery
  • International economy air


Delivery between South Korea and Canada via Jet Worldwide

Jet Worldwide: A brand to trust for over 40 years!
  • Jet Worldwide offers options for shipping between the South Korea and Canada and USA (via Canada) for parcels, pallets, ocean and e-commerce.

For a price quote for shipping to Canada provide details including shipping volume, item(s), average value and weight of each parcel. The more details the better :).

Shipping from Korea to Canada via Purolator

Purolator is a leading Canadian carrier and provides international delivery to Korea via partner carriers, such as UPS. Purolator is a division of Canada Post.

Shipping Cargo Korea to Canada

Sea shipping from South Korea to Canada

The most popular method of international shipping is sea transportation. It makes it possible to ship large commercial orders to Canada for cheap. Door to door transit averages between 1 to 2 months.

LCL Sea Freight from Korea

Less than container load (LCL) is best when shipping one to several pallets. The sharing of container space between different consignments is cost effective. Extra transit time is necessary for the additional loading and de-consolidation process. 

FCL Sea Freight from Korea

Full container load (FCL) is the fastest way to ship via ocean. This can be via either 40 foot or 20 foot container.

Shipping Air versus Ocean

Without the minimum surcharges via ocean shipping, smaller consignments via air can be cheaper. This is especially true for door to door shipping. Generally, shipments of less than 150 kilograms are cheaper via air. Heaver cargo benefit from a much lower price via ocean.

Useful information: Things to know about Ocean Shipping To and From Canada.

Shipping between South Korea, USA and Canada

South Korean companies are exploring ways to coordinate their strategy for shipping to both the USA and Canada. The following factors to consider when shipping processes to North America:

  1. In most cases, the volumes to the USA are much greater with Canada usually representing around 10% of the volumes to the USA.
  2. Goods under $150 CAD and shipping from the USA benefit from duty free import to Canada. This is part of the USMCA/ CUSMA (North American) free trade agreement.
  3. Goods South Korea to the USA may benefit from the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
  4. South Korea goods to Canada may benefit from duty free import. Korean origin goods benefit via the Canadian Korea Free Trade agreement / CKFTA (see section below).
  5. Canada serves as a distribution point to both Canada and the USA. Benefit from the Canadian Korea free trade agreement and section 321 duty free import for orders under $800 USD.
  6. Managing returns - or reverse logistics - is part of logistics processes to Canada and the US.

Other things to consider when shipping to Canada from South Korea include:

  • Certification of origin for preferential duty free import under CKFTA
  • Tariff classification for all imports (read more about HS Codes)
  • Importer of record: If goods ship direct to consumers, the consumer is the importer of record. If a company is selling and importing the goods, they are the importer of record. Being the importer of record includes having to obtain an importer number.
  • Provincial licenses that may be necessary when selling direct to consumers.
  • Health Canada approvals for products
  • Goods and Services Tax, Harmonize Sales Tax and provincial taxes (read about Canadian import fees)
  • Safe Foods for Canadians Act may apply for food to Canada
  • Country of Origin declaration for all imports.
  • Valuation is an important part of the declaration to the CBSA (read more about valuation).
  • Labeling for goods to Canada may require both French and English.

Managing Canadian Returns for online Orders from South Korea

Simpler processing for your customer:

Contact our team to develop solutions for Canadian returns of online orders. 

Common Canadian Import Fees for Imports from Korea

We get many questions regarding import fee's for shipments from South Korea to Canada. The factors affecting the fees are below. Common fees include duty, taxes and carrier import fees. Read More: Verifying common Canadian import fees.

Jet Worldwide works with companies to estimate and manage their import fees.

Contact our team for details.

Duty and taxes in Canada for shipments sent from Korea

Imports from Korea to Canada are subject to Canadian duty and taxes. Most consignments under CAD 20 can import free of duty and taxes.

READ MORE: IMPORT DUTY AND CALCULATION

Parcels under CAD 3,300 from Korea can import via Canadian customs Low Value Shipment (LVS) processes. Carriers charge a disbursement fee that usually averages around CAD 20.

CARM: CBSA Online Portal

If you are importing to Canada, it is important to become familiar with Canadian Customs online portal to streamline processes. Read more about CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)

Shipping terms to consider when shipping to Canada from South Korea

The default option for shipping internationally from Canada is Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU). Common carriers use the term ExWorks (EXW) which essentially import costs (duty, taxes and other fees) to the importer. Shippers from Canada can choose to pay the import fees on behalf of the receiver. Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) is available via most carriers. Useful information regarding IncoTerms and for international shipments

Provincial sales tax are not recoverable if paid by the shipper. The importing business may otherwise be able to claim back Canadian GST/ PST/HST.

Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement - CKFTA

Canada’s Most Favour Nation (MFN) tariff rates are generally applicable to imports from South Korea. Goods that meet the rules of origin under the CKFTA agreement may qualify for duty free import.

Understand the difference: Shipments from South Korea versus shipments containing South Korean origin goods.

What are the CKFFTA Rules of Origin?

Rules of origin are the criteria necessary to determine the country of origin. The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) has its own set of rules of origin.

Simply the purchasing of a good from South Korea does not necessarily qualify them for duty free import.

Under the CKFTA, a product originating in Canada or South Korea is if it meets one of the following conditions:

  • Whole or production in Canada or South Korea
  • Production in Canada or South Korea using materials of either country.
  • Canadian or Korean production using materials from other countries. The value of the materials from the originating country is not less than a certain percentage of the value of the product. This percentage is the "regional value content" (RVC) requirement.

The rules of origin for CKFTA are in two main categories: general rules and sector-specific rules.

  • General rules of origin: These apply to all products not in sector-specific rules. The general rules of origin require that a product must meet a specific regional value content (RVC) percentage. The RVC percentage for CKFTA is 40%. It must contain at least 40% of value additional from Canada or South Korea.
  • Sector-specific rules: These apply to certain products that have special treatment under CKFTA, such as textiles and apparel, certain chemicals, and certain automotive products. These rules specify additional requirements to qualify for preferential treatment.

For example, for textiles and apparel, the sector-specific rule requires that the yarns and fabrics be of Canada or South Korea. Cutting and sewing made be in Canada or South Korea. For automotive products, it requires that they have at least 45% regional value content.

READ MORE: DETERMINING THE CORRECT DECLARATION OF VALUE

Tracing production process for CKFTA

Products meeting the CKFTA rules of origin under the CKFTA, materials and production must be traceable. The value of the originating materials are accountable.

Benefit from having a certificate of origin to Canada

The certificate of origin determines if preferential duty free import is applicable. The country of origin is also a data point to support regulatory actions such as quarantine and import quotas. Ensure the origin benefits when shipping from South Korea to Canada.

Helpful Links:

CKFTA Certificate of Origin

Benefit from CANADA'S MAJOR FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS.

Simpler origin statement for shipping Canada from Korea:

The value for duty for which the proof of origin / certificate of origin is not necessary up to CAD 3 300.

For imports not exceeding CAD 3 300 to Canada, the requirement for proof of origin is not necessary. The importer must maintain records (for example, commercial invoice and B3). This applies even if the CBSA does not require a certification at time of import.

Shipping Text Books to Canadian International Schools

There are a few Canadian international schools in South Korea that offer a Canadian curriculum for students. There are schools in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do. Jet Worldwide can receive, consolidate and ship Canadian text book orders direct to Korea. Contact our team for support.

Read More: Shipping Text Books and Supplies to Canadian International Schools

Shipping from Korea to the USA

Korean companies and online sellers can benefit from shipping their orders direct to the USA - and via Canada. Read more about section 321 processes and contact our team for assistance in direct shipping and logistics support to the USA.

Get a Quote for Shipping Economy from Korea to Canada

Get a comparison shipping quotes for shipping between Korea and Canada.

For a logistics support, a quote, regular volumes and e-commerce: Provide details including shipping volume, item(s), average value and weight of each parcel. The more details the better :).

Canadian businesses are seeking low-cost shipping of cosmetics from South Korea to Montreal, Toronto and other major retail cities. Contact our team to arrange for shipping cosmetics from South Korea for duty free entry and low-cost air shipping.

Jet Worldwide shippers from Korea are now benefiting from duty-free import to Canada under the Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement, CKFTA. Retailers shipping Korea-origin cosmetics and fashion to Canada and looking for low-cost shipping of Korean cosmetic items to Canada.

We are happy to help with your shipping to and from Canada. Please provide some more information about the type of goods. Do you prefer air or sea freight? What restrictions or regulations are important to consider.