South Korea
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Ulsan
Ulsan hosts some of the world's largest shipyards and car plants.
Services in Ulsan
- Air freight in UlsanAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in UlsanFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in UlsanImport 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 Ulsan
- AirportGimhae
PUS - AirportUlsan
USN - SeaportPort of Ulsan
Ulsan Airport (USN), north of the city centre, serves only domestic flights, so international air freight for Ulsan moves via Gimhae International Airport (PUS) in Busan for regional routes within Asia, or via Incheon International Airport (ICN) for long-haul destinations. The Port of Ulsan is one of South Korea's main industrial ports and handles very large volumes of crude oil, refined products and chemicals, as well as vehicles and general cargo. For container shipments, most Ulsan cargo is trucked to the Port of Busan, which offers far more deep-sea services.
The Busan-Ulsan Expressway links Ulsan with Busan's port and Gimhae Airport. The Ulsan Expressway joins the Gyeongbu Expressway near Eonyang, giving access to Daegu, Seoul and Incheon Airport, and the Donghae Expressway runs north along the coast to Pohang. Ulsan station on the KTX high-speed line and the Donghae Line serve the city by rail.
Industries in Ulsan and how we support them
Ulsan is one of South Korea's heavy industry centres. The city hosts one of the world's largest shipyards and a major carmaker's large integrated vehicle plant with its own export pier, surrounded by automotive and marine suppliers. The Ulsan and Onsan industrial complexes contain oil refineries, petrochemical plants and non-ferrous metal smelters. Imports include ship engines and equipment, refinery and plant spare parts, and catalysts. Ziem Logistics supports these industries with Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for marine and plant spare parts, air freight under our own air waybills via ICN and PUS, sea freight FCL/LCL and project cargo via Busan and Ulsan, and customs clearance by our Korean network partner team.
Operational logistics facts for Ulsan
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Ulsan shipyards | Shipbuilding, offshore structures, marine engines and equipment | Delivery of ship spares and equipment directly to the yards |
| Ulsan and Onsan industrial complexes | Refining, petrochemicals, non-ferrous metals | Dangerous goods planning and urgent plant spare parts for refineries and chemical sites |
| Port of Ulsan | Liquid bulk, vehicles, break-bulk and project cargo | Port access for heavy equipment close to the plants |
| Busan-Ulsan Expressway corridor | Road feeder to the Port of Busan and Gimhae Airport | Short road link to container services and regional flights |
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
Which airport do you use for urgent shipments from Ulsan?
Ulsan Airport (USN) has no international flights, so we use Gimhae (PUS) for regional routes within Asia and Incheon (ICN) for long-haul freighter capacity, trucking the cargo on the expressway network. We confirm routing and cut-off times with every booking.
Can you deliver urgent spare parts to a vessel at an Ulsan shipyard?
Yes. We arrange door-to-door delivery to the yard or vessel and coordinate with the shipyard or ship's agent. For parts needed to keep a sea trial or delivery on schedule, Next Flight Out or an On-Board Courier can be used.
Can refinery chemicals or catalysts from Ulsan go by air?
Yes, if the goods are classified, packed, marked and documented according to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. We check the safety data sheet and UN number before booking and select airlines that accept the relevant class.
Who clears customs for goods shipped to Ulsan?
A dedicated partner team in the Ziem network handles clearance under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures, filing declarations with the Korea Customs Service through UNI-PASS. This applies whether the goods arrive at the Port of Ulsan, at Busan or by air via Incheon.
Can ship spares for a vessel under construction in Ulsan be cleared under special rules?
Depending on the case, ship spares and equipment for vessels can be handled under specific customs procedures. Whether they apply depends on the vessel, the contract and the documents available. We check the options with you before the goods are shipped.
Can you help with tariff classification for plant equipment and spare parts?
Yes. Tariff classification is one of our services. We review technical data and drawings to determine the correct HS code for machinery, components and spare parts imported into Korea, which reduces the risk of queries and incorrect duty.