Service · Trade
Trade with Korea
If you want to sell your products in Korea, we connect you directly with your Korean counterpart and coordinate the documents, transport and Korean customs procedure (through a customs broker). The import is made in the name of your Korean counterpart; TNT is not the importer. If you want to buy Korean products, we act as your export agent. You can ask before you have chosen a supplier or a buyer. We mainly trade with China, the UK and Europe, and take other countries on request.
When to ask us
Quotes already exchanged with a counterpart
We compare the quotations and Proforma Invoice, and organise the shipping schedule and documents that follow the order.
Chargers and other electrical products, or products with wireless functions
Whether KC safety procedures or a radio-wave conformity assessment are needed before clearance has to be checked per product and model.
Korean goods going abroad (Source from Korea)
Tell us the destination country, the product and the quantity. We look for Korean suppliers, collect quotes and prepare the shipping documents.
How it works
The general order of an import into Korea.
Product and counterpart
- You prepare
- Product, specifications, quantity, target arrival, reference links
- TNT handles
- Connect you directly with your Korean counterpart; if you have none yet, start by looking for one
- Experts · authorities
- Import requirements and certification are checked per product with Korea Customs Service and certification bodies
DocumentsRequest for quotation (RFQ)Product specification
Quotes
Unit price, minimum quantity, lead time and delivery terms are collected and compared.
- You prepare
- Confirm terms; decide whether samples are needed
- TNT handles
- Compare quotes between you and your Korean counterpart
DocumentsQuotationProforma Invoice (PI)
Order and payment
- You prepare
- Place the order and pay
- TNT handles
- Payment terms (deposit and balance, remittance route) are set at the quote stage to fit the transaction
- Experts · authorities
- Overseas remittances go through a foreign exchange bank
DocumentsPurchase order (PO)Remittance record
Shipping
Goods travel by sea or air. Under the delivery terms (Incoterms), freight, insurance and clearance duties are split between buyer and seller.
- You prepare
- Confirm the delivery address and receiving contact
- TNT handles
- Coordinate the documents and transport and check the shipping schedule
- Experts · authorities
- Carriers and forwarders handle the transport
DocumentsCommercial Invoice (CI)Packing List (PL)B/L or AWB
Import clearance
The goods are declared to customs, and duties and VAT are paid.
- You prepare
- Prepare importer details and any requirement documents
- TNT handles
- Coordinate the Korean customs procedure through a customs broker (관세사); the import is made in the name of your Korean counterpart. If a customs inspection (including random inspections) delays clearance or adds costs, the actual cost is billed
- Experts · authorities
- The import declaration is filed by a licensed customs broker or the cargo owner (importer)
DocumentsImport Declaration Certificate (수입신고필증)
Receipt in Korea
Quantity and condition of the cleared goods are checked.
- You prepare
- Confirm the receiving place and quantity
- TNT handles
- Coordinate delivery into Korea with your Korean counterpart
- Experts · authorities
- VAT and duty refunds are for tax accountants and customs brokers
DocumentsQuantity and condition record
무역 서류 흐름 · 수입요건 확인 경로 · 비용 구성
예시 데이터 · 실제 건 아님
What we need for a quote
We give a quote for each request. It lists goods cost, freight, duties, VAT, actual customs costs and our agency fee as separate items.
Export to Korea
- Product to bring into Korea (name, specifications)
- Supplier: already chosen (link) / need to find one
- Origin country or region: China / UK / Europe / other
- Quantity and unit (if unsure, “samples first”)
- Certification needed: KC or radio certification applies / not sure
- Preferred arrival in Korea
- How it will be sold in Korea: direct sales / supply to a buyer / not for personal use (confirm)
Source from Korea
- Product to export from Korea
- Destination country or region
- Quantity
- Korean supplier: already chosen / need to find one
- Preferred shipping time
The inquiry form asks the same items. For anything you do not know, choose “Not sure” or “Decide in consultation”.
What TNT does not do · expert territory
- Customs broker
Duties and filing documents
Payment of duties and VAT and the suitability of the filing documents are the customs broker’s call.
- Certification body
KC and radio certification
Certification is obtained in the name of the manufacturer or importer through a certification body. Which one applies differs by product and model.
- Tax accountant · customs broker
Tariff rate, FTA, refunds
HS classification and rates, FTA origin treatment and VAT handling are judged by specialists.
- Lawyer
Contracts and IP
Contract terms and trademark or design infringement are for a lawyer.
Regions and products
China
Apparel OEM manufacturing. We import USB-C chargers and cables from China under our own brand, Wired Lab.
UK
Safety equipment sourcing. We handle product search, quotes and import.
Europe
Auto parts sourcing. We handle quotes and import for German products.
Wired Lab is TNT’s own brand.
Frequently asked questions
How does importing for sale differ from personal direct purchase?
A personal direct purchase for own use goes through simplified clearance, while goods for sale go through general import clearance and receive an import declaration certificate. Simplified clearance covers personal baggage, mail and express consignments.
Korea Customs Service: simplified clearance Korea Customs Service: import clearance
What documents are involved in an import?
A Proforma Invoice and a purchase order (PO) at the quote and order stage; a Commercial Invoice, Packing List and B/L (sea) or AWB (air) at shipment. At clearance the import declaration is filed with the documents customs requires (invoice, packing list, B/L, certificate of origin and so on), and an import declaration certificate is issued at the end.
How do I know whether KC or radio-wave certification is needed?
Imported electrical products must go through the applicable safety certification, safety confirmation or supplier’s conformity confirmation before clearance, and equipment with wireless functions needs a conformity assessment under the Radio Waves Act. We first check whether the factory’s product is already certified or needs new certification. Certification is obtained through the certification body.
Product Safety Information Center National Radio Research Agency
Does an FTA tariff rate apply to every import?
Each agreement has origin criteria and a certificate of origin, and the preferential rate applies only if the conditions are met. In some cases an after-the-fact application is possible within a set period after clearance, and evidence must be kept.
What are Incoterms (FOB, CIF, DAP and so on)?
They are international trade terms that set when and where goods change hands and who handles freight, insurance and import clearance. At the same price, the cost the buyer pays separately differs with the delivery term.
Send an inquiry about trade with Korea
Tell us the product, the quantity and the country you want to trade with, and our reply to your quote request will be faster.