Air Freight South Korea
LOGISTICS SUPPORT
Ludmila
Freight Forwarding Specialist
AIR FREIGHT SOLUTIONS
Air Freight South Korea - Fast Cargo Between Incheon and the USA
Air freight South Korea services from GreenLine Global move time-critical cargo in both directions. We ship air freight from South Korea to the USA, our core corridor, and to Europe and Asia. We also fly air freight to South Korea from worldwide origins. Services cover general air cargo, express, charter, and dangerous goods. Korean imports clear the Korea Customs Service (KCS) through UNI-PASS. US-bound cargo needs ACAS data and a US CBP entry. Our customs clearance team coordinates both ends. For heavier, less urgent cargo, compare our ocean freight South Korea service.
GreenLine has run transpacific air lanes from Seattle since 2008. In Korea we route through Incheon (ICN), Busan Gimhae (PUS), and Cheongju (CJJ). In the USA we land at Los Angeles LAX, Chicago O’Hare, New York JFK, Atlanta, Dallas, and Seattle. Every quote is transparent and itemised – no hidden airport or handling fees. We offer airport-to-airport and door-to-door options across the GreenLine air freight network. Shipping inside the USA too? See air freight USA.
How it works
Air Freight South Korea Process - From Quote to Delivery
One GreenLine team runs the whole chain, whichever way your cargo flies. We cover collection, airline booking, and the Korean export declaration. We also cover ACAS and CBP filings for the USA, plus KCS import clearance for cargo flying into Korea.
Quote, Route & Book
Send us your cargo details, HS code, origin, and destination. We return an itemised quote within 24 hours. It covers airfreight, fuel and security surcharges, handling, and delivery. We price on chargeable weight and confirm standard, express, or charter.
Collect, Screen & Document
We collect, pack, and issue the air waybill, invoice, packing list, and origin certification. Korean exports get a UNI-PASS export declaration and a strategic-items check. US-bound cargo gets ACAS pre-loading data filed before uplift.
Fly & Track in Real Time
Your cargo flies the transpacific Incheon-USA lane, often via Anchorage. We book belly and freighter space with Korean Air Cargo, Air Zeta, and US carriers. You get milestone tracking from departure to arrival. We flag missed connections early.
Final step
Clear US CBP or KCS and Deliver Door-to-Door
On US arrivals, a licensed broker files the US CBP entry and pays duty, including any Section 301 amount. We then deliver to any address in the 50 US states. On Korean imports, our partners clear the Korea Customs Service, pay duty and 10% VAT, and deliver nationwide.
Our air freight services to and from South Korea
Air Cargo South Korea - Every Speed, Every Cargo Type
No two air shipments are identical. Deadline, weight, dimensions, and cargo class set the right service. Korea-USA lanes carry chips, batteries, and cosmetics, so cargo class matters as much as speed. GreenLine matches each shipment to the fastest compliant option.
General Air Cargo
Consolidated · Back-to-back · 2-4 days
The core service for boxed and palletised goods. We consolidate your cargo on scheduled Incheon-USA flights to cut cost per kilo. Each shipment travels under its own House Air Waybill with house-level ACAS data.
Express & Priority
Next flight out · 1-2 days
Priority space on the next available flight. Built for chip samples, line-down auto parts, and launch-date stock. Our US broker prepares the CBP entry before landing so cargo releases on arrival.
Air Charter
Full & part charter · Main deck
Dedicated aircraft for volumes or deadlines scheduled flights cannot meet. We source 747 and 777 freighters out of Incheon to US gateways. We arrange slots, landing permits, and ground handling at both ends.
Dangerous Goods by Air
IATA DGR · Classes 2-9 · Lithium batteries
We ship chemicals, aerosols, and lithium batteries under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. We check packing and labels and prepare the Shipper's Declaration. We book only carriers that accept your UN class.
Pharma & Temperature-Controlled
+2-8°C · +15-25°C · Active & passive
Biologics, pharmaceuticals, and perishables in active or passive containers. We route through IATA CEIV Pharma handlers where available. FDA-regulated US imports and MFDS-regulated Korean imports get matching paperwork.
Oversized & Project Air Cargo
Main deck · Heavy-lift · Door-to-door
Fab tools, engines, and battery-plant equipment that exceed belly-hold limits. We plan main-deck loading, special handling, and road legs at both ends. See our project cargo service.
Korean airport operations, customs & delivery
From Incheon to Your US Door - and Back Again
Gateway airports on both sides
Incheon and Major US Hubs
Incheon (ICN) handled about 2.95 million tonnes in 2025, seventh worldwide by ACI ranking. Korean Air finished its automated Smart Cargo Terminal there in 2026. Busan and Cheongju serve the southeast and central regions. US arrivals land at LAX, ORD, JFK, ATL, DFW, SFO, or SEA.
KCS & US CBP clearance
Declarations in Both Directions
For Korean imports, our partners file the import declaration in UNI-PASS, often before arrival. We verify 10-digit HSK codes and claim KORUS or other FTA rates. For US arrivals, a licensed broker files the CBP entry under your customs bond.
First-mile & last-mile
Door-to-Door in Korea and the USA
We collect from factories in Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang and truck cargo to the departing airport. In the USA we deliver after CBP release to any of the 50 states. Need stock near a gateway? Use our Los Angeles / Long Beach warehousing.
Compliance & import / export rules
Air Freight South Korea Requirements - Shipping Cargo To and From Korea
Korea runs a fully electronic customs system, so data errors stop cargo fast. The USA wants air cargo data before loading and taxes Korean goods under new 2026 rules. GreenLine runs every check below before your cargo moves.
Import · Air freight to South Korea
Korean Import Requirements for Air Cargo
KCS Import Declaration
Every commercial import needs a declaration filed with the Korea Customs Service through UNI-PASS. You can declare before departure, before arrival, or after bonded storage. Pre-arrival filing lets cargo clear faster at Incheon.
Duty, VAT & HSK Codes
Korea charges duty on the CIF value using the 10-digit HSK code. A flat 10% VAT applies to CIF plus duty. Some luxury and durable goods also pay an individual consumption tax.
KORUS & FTA Origin
Qualifying US goods enter at reduced, often zero, duty under KORUS. The claim needs a written origin certification from the producer, exporter, or importer. Korea-EU, RCEP, and other FTAs cover other origins.
KC Mark for Electronics
Electrical and radio equipment sold in Korea needs KC certification. Customs checks it at import. We confirm the certificate before you ship test units or retail stock.
MFDS & APQA Controls
Food, cosmetics, medicines, and medical devices need Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) clearance. Plants, seeds, and animal products need APQA quarantine. Wood packaging must carry the ISPM 15 mark.
US Export Filing & TSA Screening
Cargo flying from the USA needs an EEI filing in AES above USD 2,500 per Schedule B line, or when a licence applies. It also needs TSA screening. EAR-controlled items may need a BIS licence.
* Requirements vary by origin, commodity, and value. Contact us to confirm what applies to your shipment.
Export · Air freight from South Korea to the USA
Korean Export and US Entry Requirements
Korean Export Declaration
Every export needs an export declaration in UNI-PASS. KCS must accept it before the cargo loads. We file it from your invoice and packing list and match it to the air waybill.
Strategic Items & YESTRADE
Dual-use goods need an export licence under Korea's Foreign Trade Act. Exporters apply through YESTRADE, which links to UNI-PASS. This covers some chips, chip tools, and battery materials.
ACAS Pre-Loading Data
US-bound air cargo needs Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) data before loading at Incheon. CBP can stop loading on a "do not load" message. We transmit house-level data as standard.
CBP Entry & Customs Bond
Shipments over USD 2,500 need a formal entry and a customs bond. Duty-free de minimis entry has been suspended since August 2025. Formal entries pay a 0.3464% merchandise processing fee.
Section 301 & 232 Duties
Since 24 July 2026, most Korean goods pay 12.5% in total under Section 301, even under KORUS. Cars and parts pay 15% and steel and aluminium 50% under Section 232. Computers, smartphones, and many chips are exempt from Section 301.
FDA, FCC & IATA DG
Food needs FDA Prior Notice, and cosmetics need MoCRA facility registration and listing. Radio devices need FCC authorisation. Battery exports need an IATA DGR Shipper's Declaration.
* US duty rates are approximate and for guidance only, checked October 2026. The final duty depends on your HTS code, origin, customs value, entry date, and new government measures. We confirm your HTS line before booking. Contact us to confirm what applies to your shipment.
What we move
Cargo Types & Air Freight Specialisms To and From South Korea
GreenLine flies standard and specialist cargo in both directions. Every US-bound shipment leaves with ACAS data and a duty check. Every Korean import arrives with its UNI-PASS declaration ready.
Semiconductors & Electronics
Memory chips, server parts, and smartphones drive Korea's US exports. We use secure handling and limited touchpoints. Many chip lines are exempt from Section 301, and we verify yours.
K-Beauty & Cosmetics
The USA became Korea's top cosmetics market in 2025, at about USD 2.2 billion. We check MoCRA listings and flag aerosols and perfumes as dangerous goods.
Lithium Batteries & DG
Cells, modules, and UN3480 / UN3481 shipments for US battery and EV plants. Standalone cells fly cargo aircraft only. We match each UN class to an accepting airline.
Auto Parts & Industrial Components
Line-down parts for US assembly plants in Alabama, Georgia, and beyond. Korean auto parts pay 15% under Section 232. For full machines, see our machinery shipping service.
E-Commerce & Retail Wholesale
Bulk B2B stock and fast restocks for US marketplaces. With de minimis suspended, every parcel needs an entry. We consolidate and connect arrivals to our warehousing network.
Pharma, Biologics & Perishables
Biosimilars, vaccines, and chilled food in validated packaging. US imports follow FDA rules, Korean imports follow MFDS rules. We keep temperature records end to end.
Project & Oversized Air Cargo
Fab equipment, engines, and turbine parts on main-deck freighters or charters. We plan loading surveys and road escorts. See our project cargo service.
Scroll to see all cargo types →
Origin & destination corridors
Where We Fly From and To South Korea
GreenLine runs established air corridors in both directions, led by the Korea-USA lane. Transit times below are approximate, typical airport to airport. Select your route for a direct quote.
Korea-USA air lanes at a glance
| Lane | Direct flying time (approx.) | Consolidated, airport to airport (approx.) | Door to door (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICN to LAX / SFO / SEA | ~10-11 hours | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
| ICN to ORD / DFW / ATL | ~13-16 hours (freighters usually stop in ANC) | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
| ICN to JFK | ~14-15 hours (direct or via ANC) | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
| LAX / SFO / ORD / JFK / SEA to ICN | ~12-15 hours westbound | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
All times are approximate. Flying and transit times depend on many factors: weather, air traffic, airline schedules and capacity, missed connections at hubs such as Anchorage, security screening, customs inspections, and peak seasons. They are typical ranges, not guarantees. We confirm routing and timing in every quote.
Air Freight from South Korea - Where We Deliver
Air Freight to South Korea - Where We Ship From
Not seeing your route? GreenLine flies cargo to and from South Korea across over 40 countries on 4 continents. Contact us with your origin and destination for a direct quote. All times are approximate, not guaranteed.
Industries we serve
Air Freight South Korea Across Every Sector
Rules on the Korea-USA lane change by sector and by direction. A Korean export may need a YESTRADE licence or an FCC check in the USA. The same product flying into Korea may need a KC mark or MFDS approval. GreenLine applies sector knowledge to both.
Credentials & compliance
Operating to the Highest Korea-USA Air Freight Standards Since 2008
FAQS
Air Freight Questions
Direct freighters from Incheon (ICN) reach Los Angeles in about 11 hours. Flights to Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Dallas usually route via Anchorage. Consolidated cargo typically takes 2 to 4 days airport to airport. Door-to-door delivery usually takes 4 to 7 business days, including pickup, Korean export clearance, US CBP entry, and final delivery. Express service books the next flight out and often lands within 1 to 2 days. GreenLine tracks every flight and flags delays early.
Standard air freight consolidates your cargo with other shipments on scheduled flights. This lowers your cost per kilo. Express air freight books priority space on the next available flight out of Incheon. It suits semiconductor samples, line-down auto parts, and launch-date K-beauty stock. Both modes charge on chargeable weight, the greater of actual or volumetric weight at 167 kg per cubic metre. GreenLine compares both options in every quote.
Every commercial import needs an import declaration filed with the Korea Customs Service (KCS) through UNI-PASS. You also need a commercial invoice, packing list, and air waybill. A KORUS origin certification lets qualifying US goods enter at preferential, often zero, duty. Korea charges customs duty on the CIF value and a 10% VAT on CIF plus duty. Electronics need the KC mark, and food, cosmetics, and medicines need Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) clearance. GreenLine checks HSK codes and permits before your cargo flies.
Yes. For imports into Korea, GreenLine’s partners file the KCS import declaration, pay duty and VAT, and deliver to any Korean address. For exports to the USA, we file the Korean export declaration, transmit ACAS data before loading, and clear US CBP with a licensed customs broker. We then deliver to any address in the 50 US states. To request a quote, email sales@greenlineglobal.com with your commodity, HS code, weight, dimensions, pickup and delivery addresses, and target date.
Since 24 July 2026, most Korean-origin goods pay a Section 301 duty that brings the total duty to 12.5%. Goods with a normal rate of 12.5% or more pay nothing extra, and KORUS-qualifying goods still pay the 12.5% total. Computers, smartphones, and many chip lines are exempt. Korean cars and auto parts pay 15% in total under Section 232, and steel and aluminium pay 50%. The former 15% IEEPA tariff ended on 24 February 2026, and de minimis duty-free entry has been suspended since 29 August 2025. GreenLine checks your HTS line before booking. Rates as of October 2026.