South Korea
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Seoul
Incheon is one of the largest cargo airports in the world and the gateway for the Seoul capital area.
Services in Seoul
- Air freight in SeoulAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in SeoulFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in SeoulImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Seoul
- AirportIncheon International
ICN - AirportGimpo
GMP - SeaportIncheon and Busan
Seoul is served by two airports. Incheon International Airport (ICN), on Yeongjong Island west of the capital, is South Korea's main international cargo gateway, with freighter and belly connections to Asia, Europe and North America and dedicated cargo terminals beside the runways. Gimpo International Airport (GMP), inside the Seoul city limits, mainly serves domestic flights and a small number of short-haul international routes, for example to Tokyo Haneda and Shanghai Hongqiao. For sea freight, the Port of Incheon is the closest seaport to Seoul, Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port lies to the south-west, and deep-sea container services mostly call at Busan. We route Seoul air freight via ICN in almost every case.
The Incheon International Airport Expressway and the Yeongjong Bridge link the airport island with western Seoul. The Seoul Ring Expressway circles the capital and connects the Gyeongbu Expressway towards Daejeon and Busan, the Gyeongin Expressways towards Incheon and the Yeongdong Expressway towards Icheon and Gangwon. The Uiwang Inland Container Depot south of Seoul links the capital region with Busan by container rail, alongside Korail freight services.
Industries in Seoul and how we support them
The Seoul capital area is the centre of South Korea's semiconductor and electronics industry: major memory fabs are located in Gyeonggi Province, for example in Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Giheung and Icheon, surrounded by equipment and materials suppliers. Seoul hosts the headquarters of battery makers, display and electronics groups, and many cosmetics brands, while Pangyo Techno Valley in Seongnam is a base for IT and software firms. Imports include fab equipment, process chemicals and spare parts. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via ICN, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for fab-critical spare parts, sea freight FCL/LCL via Incheon and Busan, and customs clearance through our Korean network partner team.
Operational logistics facts for Seoul
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Incheon International Airport (ICN) cargo terminals | Semiconductor equipment and parts, electronics, cosmetics, general cargo | Direct freighter and belly capacity to Europe, North America and Asia for the capital region |
| Gyeonggi semiconductor belt (Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Giheung, Icheon) | Memory fabs, equipment suppliers, process materials | Pick-up and delivery arranged directly at fab and supplier sites |
| Uiwang Inland Container Depot | Container rail link between the capital area and Busan | Inland access to deep-sea container services for Seoul shippers |
| Gimpo International Airport (GMP) | Domestic and short-haul flights within North-East Asia | Option for hand-carried On-Board Courier shipments to Japan and China |
Customs clearance in South Korea
Ziem network
Customs clearance in South Korea is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from South Korea we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in South Korea need a business registration number and a customs registration (personal customs code for individuals).
Frequently asked questions
Do you use Incheon or Gimpo for air freight from Seoul?
International air freight from Seoul normally moves via Incheon International (ICN), which has the freighter capacity and long-haul connections. Gimpo (GMP) offers only a few short-haul international routes, so we use it mainly for On-Board Courier trips to Japan or China. We confirm routing and cut-off times with every booking.
Can you deliver urgent spare parts to semiconductor fabs near Seoul?
Yes. For equipment that is down we book Next Flight Out into ICN with customs data pre-lodged, or send an On-Board Courier who carries the part by hand to the fab gate in Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Icheon or elsewhere in Gyeonggi. Delivery is arranged directly to the site or the supplier's address.
How does the monsoon affect air shipments in the Seoul area?
The monsoon from late June to July brings heavy rain that can slow road transport around the capital and occasionally disrupt flights. We monitor airline notices, keep you informed about affected bookings and move freight to the next available flight if a departure is cancelled.
Who clears customs for imports into Seoul?
Clearance is carried out by a dedicated partner team in the Ziem network that works under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. Declarations are filed with the Korea Customs Service through UNI-PASS using the shipment data we prepare, and you keep one contact at Ziem Logistics from booking to release.
What does a Seoul company need to import goods into Korea?
A business registration number and a customs registration are needed. Individuals use a personal customs clearance code. Some goods, such as cosmetics, food, medical devices and radio equipment, also require product-specific approvals or registrations. We check these requirements with you before the goods leave origin.
Can process chemicals for Korean fabs be cleared at Incheon?
Yes, provided the documents are complete. Chemicals usually need a safety data sheet and may fall under Korean chemical control rules that require prior registration or confirmation. We review the product data and HS classification with you before shipping, so the declaration matches the goods.