Seoul, South Korea
Air freight in Seoul
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Seoul via Incheon International (ICN). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Seoul area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. For air freight to and from South Korea we issue our own air waybills.
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.
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 |
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.
Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier in Seoul
Next Flight Out means your shipment travels on the first available flight to or from Incheon International (ICN), booked and documented by our operations desk.
An On-Board Courier is the option when even that is too slow or the goods need to stay in sight: a courier travels with the shipment and delivers it to the consignee in the Seoul area.
Our own air waybills in South Korea
We issue our own air waybills for shipments to and from South Korea. We book directly with the airline, control the shipment data and can make changes without waiting for a third party.
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.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Seoul?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via Incheon International (ICN) and an itemised quote.