Sending parcels
Living in Korea

Sending parcels in & from Korea

Returns, gifts home, moving boxes — shipping is gated behind a Korean-only label + kiosk. 7 methods compared on cost + speed (4 domestic, 3 international), the send-a-parcel flow, customs forms, and the US customs gotchas (duty prepaid at the counter, lithium-battery limits) + 8 tips.

7 shipping methods — filter by destination

7 results

Economy CVS-to-CVS (반값택배)

반값택배
🇰🇷 Domestic

₩1,800–3,500 · 3–5 days

🟡 MediumTracked
Best for
The absolute cheapest domestic (if recipient can collect)
Where: GS25→GS25 or CU→CU; recipient picks up at their convenience store

Half-price because it goes store-to-store and the recipient collects (no home delivery). Slower. Great for non-urgent items to someone who has a nearby CU/GS25.

Convenience-store parcel (편의점택배)

편의점택배 (CU/GS25)
🇰🇷 Domestic

₩3,000–6,000 · 1–3 days

🟡 MediumTracked
Best for
Cheapest everyday domestic small parcels
Where: Any CU (CU끼리/홈픽) or GS25 (반값택배/포스트박스) — pack first, use the in-store kiosk

The budget domestic default — drop at a 24h convenience store, pay at the counter/kiosk. Kiosk is Korean-only; a translation app helps. Cheaper than door-pickup 택배.

Korea Post parcel (우체국 택배)

우체국 택배 / 등기소포
🇰🇷 Domestic

₩4,000–9,000 · 1–2 days

🟡 MediumTracked
Best for
Reliable nationwide + optional home pickup
Where: Any post office (우체국) counter, or book 방문택배 (home pickup) online/by phone

Government post; counter staff handle the label for you (easier than a kiosk). 방문택배 picks up from your door for a small fee. Solid for documents (등기) + parcels.

Private courier (일반택배)

CJ대한통운 등 일반택배
🇰🇷 Domestic

₩4,000–8,000 · 1–2 days

🔴 Korean-only-ishTracked
Best for
Big/heavy items + scheduled home pickup
Where: Book online/app for home pickup (방문택배), or drop at a 택배 agency / 무인택배함

CJ대한통운, 한진, 롯데, etc. Best for furniture/large boxes. Booking apps are Korean-only + often need a KR phone — easiest via a Korean friend or the convenience-store option instead.

EMS (international express)

EMS 국제특급
🌍 International

₩25,000–120,000 · 3–7 days

🟡 MediumTracked
Best for
The default for most international parcels (200+ countries)
Where: Post office counter, or drop a pre-packed EMS box at CU/GS25; book on ems.epost.go.kr

Korea Post express, tracked, up to 30kg. Fill a CN22 (<2kg) / CN23 (≥2kg) customs form. ⚠️ US-bound EMS runs duty-prepaid (DDP) since Sep 2025: you pay the US duty at the counter when you send, and the label needs an HS code + country of origin. The rate has moved more than once — confirm before packing.

EMS Premium (UPS via Korea Post)

EMS 프리미엄
🌍 International

₩40,000–180,000 · 2–4 days

🟡 MediumTracked
Best for
Lithium-battery items + guaranteed speed
Where: Post office counter (initiated by Korea Post, carried by UPS)

Korea Post books it, UPS carries it. The way to send devices with embedded lithium batteries (which standard EMS/air parcel won't accept), and since 24 Jul 2026 the only Korea Post route for the US quota / anti-dumping goods that ordinary mail now refuses — except food on that list, which EMS Premium won't take either. Pricier but reliable.

Private international courier (DHL/FedEx)

국제특송 (DHL/FedEx)
🌍 International

₩50,000–250,000 · 2–5 days

🟢 EasyTracked
Best for
Urgent/valuable/document international, full English service
Where: DHL/FedEx service points, or book online for pickup

Most English-friendly (websites + phone in English), fastest for documents + high-value. Priciest. Best when EMS is suspended to your destination or you need guaranteed speed.

Send a parcel — 5 steps

  1. 1

    Pack it yourself first · 포장

    Box + tape it before you go — convenience stores + EMS drop-offs expect a sealed parcel. Buy a sturdy box at the post office (international mail boxes) or a daiso/convenience store. Cushion fragile items.

  2. 2

    Pick the method · 방법 선택

    Domestic + cheap → 편의점택배 / 반값택배. Domestic + big or home-pickup → 우체국/CJ 택배. International → EMS (most countries), EMS Premium (battery items), or DHL/FedEx (urgent/English).

  3. 3

    Fill the label / customs form · 운송장 / 통관서류

    Domestic: a 운송장 (waybill) with sender + recipient name/phone/address. International: a customs declaration — CN22 for under 2kg, CN23 for 2kg+ — listing each item's quantity, category, and value. Be honest; under-declaring risks seizure.

  4. 4

    Drop off or book pickup · 접수 / 방문택배

    Drop at the post office / convenience-store kiosk, or book 방문택배 (home pickup) for a small fee. At the counter, staff weigh it + finalize the rate; at a kiosk you weigh + pay yourself.

  5. 5

    Pay + keep the tracking number · 결제 + 송장번호

    Pay by card/cash. Keep the 13-digit tracking number (송장번호). Track domestic on the carrier app or EMS/international at ems.epost.go.kr — both have English tracking.

Tips — customs, batteries, cheapest options

  • 편의점택배 is the cheap domestic defaultFor everyday domestic parcels, a convenience-store drop (CU/GS25) beats home-pickup 택배 on price, and 반값택배 (store-to-store, recipient collects) is cheapest of all if speed isn't critical.
  • US: EMS is back — but you prepay the dutyKorea Post suspended US-bound EMS in Aug 2025 after the US dropped its $800 de-minimis exemption, then resumed it on 22 Sep 2025 under DDP: the sender prepays the US duty at the counter (cash or transfer) and fills the CN22/CN23 with an HS code + country of origin. Since 24 Jul 2026 the duty is at least 12.5% (US §301 forced-labour tariff), or the item's own tariff rate where that is higher — Korea Post sends you to kita.net to look a product up. Personal gifts totalling under $100 are still duty-free. The rate has changed repeatedly, so confirm at ems.epost.go.kr or the counter before packing.
  • Lithium batteries = red flagStandard EMS / air parcel won't carry devices with embedded lithium batteries (power banks, some electronics). Use EMS Premium or DHL/FedEx, and declare the battery. Loose batteries are often banned outright.
  • Customs form: CN22 vs CN23International parcels need a customs declaration: CN22 under 2kg, CN23 for 2kg+. List each item's quantity, category, and honest value — under-declaring to dodge duty risks seizure or a fine on the recipient.
  • Weight + box size both matterRates jump at weight brackets and oversize boxes get dimensional-weight charged. A slightly smaller/lighter box can drop a price tier — weigh at home if you can before choosing the method.
  • Counter beats kiosk for foreignersConvenience-store kiosks are Korean-only; the post-office counter has a human who fills the label for you. For a first international shipment, the 우체국 counter (or DHL/FedEx in English) is the least error-prone.
  • Prohibited / restricted itemsNo cash, lithium loose batteries, perishables, aerosols, or many liquids; food + cosmetics have destination-country limits. Check the destination's customs rules — the EMS site lists prohibited items by country. One live example: since 29 Jul 2026 Korea Post refuses US-bound mail containing goods under US quota / anti-dumping duty — sugar, canned tuna, citrus, peanuts and peanut butter, beef, infant formula, chocolate, cheese, milk and condensed milk, ice cream and other dairy, animal feed, plus some chemicals, nickel and zinc. Non-food items on that list can still go by EMS Premium; the foods cannot be mailed at all for now.
  • Track with the 13-digit numberKeep the 송장번호 (tracking number). Domestic: the carrier app or 1234-style sites; international: ems.epost.go.kr (English) and the destination post tracker. Screenshot it at drop-off.

Phrasebook for the counter

I'd like to send this parcel.
이거 택배로 보내고 싶어요.
Igeo taekbaero bonaego sipeoyo.
I want to send this overseas (EMS).
해외로 EMS 보내려고요.
Haewoero EMS bonaeryeogoyo.
How much to the United States?
미국까지 얼마예요?
Miguk-kkaji eolmayeyo?
How long will it take?
얼마나 걸려요?
Eolmana geollyeoyo?
Can you help me fill out the customs form?
통관 서류 작성 도와주세요.
Tonggwan seoryu jakseong dowajuseyo.
Please book a home pickup.
방문택배 접수해 주세요.
Bangmun-taekbae jeopsu-hae juseyo.

See also

The recipient's Korean address: /address-card. Convenience stores (where 택배 drop-offs live): /convenience. Paying for it: /pay.