Do you need to bring anything into south korea from Malaysia ? You've come to the right place; on this page, you'll discover some useful details about international shipping from Malaysia. We'll provide you some pertinent details: Rules, customs procedures, air freight, ocean freight, etc... Docshipper Malaysia has gathered all of this information for you.

Malaysia and South Korea have a strong trade relationship as each other's top trading partners. Malaysia exported goods worth around $1.26 billion to South Korea, while South Korea exported goods worth around $805 million to Malaysia in December 2022. However, to ensure smooth trading, it is essential to understand the customs procedures and regulations related to freight shipping.

In this article, we will take a closer look at these aspects to assist businesses looking to ship goods between these two countries.

 

What are the freight shipping options between South Korea and Malaysia?

 

There are several types of freight that can be shipped between South Korea and Malaysia, including:

  • Air freight: This involves shipping goods by airplane. This option can be faster than shipping by sea, but it can be more expensive.
  • Maritime freight FCL (Full Container Load): This is a type of freight shipping where the shipper rents a full container to transport their goods. This option is often used for large-sized shipments or shipments of large quantity.
  • Maritime freight LCL (Less than Container Load): This is a type of freight shipping where multiple shippers share a container to transport their goods. This option is often used for small-sized shipments or shipments of small quantity.
  • Land freight: This involves shipping goods by truck or train. This option can be used to transport goods between South Korea and Malaysia.

There is no direct land route connecting South Korea and Malaysia, as the two countries are separated by the East China Sea and the South China Sea. However, it is possible to transport goods between these two countries via land routes using road or rail transport services, but this would require transshipment and changes in mode of transport.

 

 

Sea Freight between Malaysia and south korea

Sea freight between South Korea and Malaysia is the most commonly used mode of transport in international freight. This mode of transport is commonly used to ship bulk and heavy goods, and is generally more cost-effective than air freight.

 

The advantages of sea freight

  • Cost-effectiveness: Maritime transport is generally more cost-effective than other modes of transport such as air freight or road transport, especially for large and heavy shipments.
  • Capacity: Ships have the capacity to transport large quantities of goods over long distances, making them an ideal mode of transportation for international trade.
  • Accessibility: Ports are located worldwide, providing access to many destinations that are not accessible by other modes of transport.
  • Flexibility: Maritime transport offers a range of shipping options, including full container loads (FCL), less than container loads (LCL), and the transport of non-containerized goods, allowing for the transportation of a wide variety of products.
  • Environmental sustainability: Generally, maritime transport has a lower carbon footprint than other modes of transport, such as air or road transport.
  • Safety: Maritime transport is strictly regulated and has safety measures in place to ensure the safety of cargo during transport.

 

The disadvantages of sea freight between Malaysia and South Korea

  • Longer transit times: sea freight is generally slower than other modes of transport such as air freight or road transport, which can result in supply delays.
  • Exposure to environmental conditions: Cargoes transported by sea are exposed to weather conditions, storms, waves, and other environmental factors that can damage the cargo.
  • Need for specialized infrastructure: Ports and maritime transport terminals require specialized infrastructure to allow for loading and unloading of ships, which can make maritime transport less convenient for some destinations.
  • Additional costs: While maritime transport is generally cheaper than other modes of transport, it can result in additional costs such as port handling fees and insurance costs.

The main ports of South Korea :

  • Port of Busan: Busan is the largest port in South Korea and the fifth busiest container port in the world, handling over 21.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) which is equivalent to 717,120,000 cubic meters in 2020 (1 TEU = 33.2 cubic meters). It is also a major transshipment hub for Northeast Asia.
  • Port of Incheon: Incheon is the second largest port in South Korea and the 32nd busiest container port in the world. In 2020, it handled 3.3 million TEU of containerized freight.
  • Port of Gwangyang: Gwangyang is the third largest port in South Korea and the country's largest steel port. It handled 2.9 million TEU of containerized freight in 2020.
  • Port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin: Pyeongtaek-Dangjin is the fourth largest port in South Korea and an important port for automobile exports. It handled 2.2 million TEU of containerized freight in 2020.
  • Port of Ulsan: The Port of Ulsan is the fifth largest port in South Korea and an important port for petrochemical exports. It handled 1.8 million TEU of containerized freight in 2020.

Main ports of Malaysia:

  • Port Klang: located about 40 km west of Kuala Lumpur, it is the largest port in Malaysia and one of the most important ports in Asia.
  • Port of Tanjung Pelepas: located in Johor, southern Malaysia, it is the second largest port in Malaysia and one of the most modern ports in Asia.
  • Port of Penang: located on the northwest coast of Malaysia, it is the third busiest port in Malaysia and one of the main transit ports in the region.
  • Port of Johor: located in Johor Bahru, it is the fourth most important port in Malaysia.

Should I use FCL or LCL?

The decision between using LCL (Less than Container Load) or FCL (Full Container Load) for shipping freight from Malaysia to France will depend on various factors such as volume, weight, or quantity.

If you have a smaller or medium quantity of goods, you can opt for LCL, which allows for consolidating several shipments from different shippers into a single container. This option can be more cost-effective as the costs are shared among several shippers. However, LCL can be slower and more prone to delays because it requires extra time for consolidating and deconsolidating the goods.

On the other hand, if you have a significant amount of goods to ship, you may consider using FCL, which allows for shipping an entire container for your exclusive use. This option can be faster, safer, and more reliable as it avoids handling and risks associated with consolidating multiple shipments. However, FCL can be more expensive as you will be responsible for the total cost of the container, even if you do not use all the available space.

Shipping time between Malaysia and South Korea

It really depends on many factors, so it is difficult to predict them accurately at any time or place. The transit time for sea freight between major ports in South Korea and Malaysia is approximately 5 to 12 days for full containers (FCL) and 15 to 25 days for partial containers (LCL), depending on the speed of maritime transport services, the type of container ship, and port processing times.

Info Docshipper : When discussing international trade from or to Malaysia, ocean cargo is the most well-known shipping method. This strategy is far more cost-effective for long-distance and large-volume shipping when compared to air and rail freight. You can ask any questions you may have about heavy lifting or other sorts of goods to the specialists at DocShipper. They will address all of your questions and give you the finest solution they have. To learn more, get in touch with us.

How much does it cost to ship from Malaysia to South Korea?

Shipping goods by sea freight carries a wide range of costs based on a number of variables. For instance, you wouldn't use the same container type if you were sending a small or large quantity.

If your shipment is less than 15 cubic meters in size, go with an LCL (Less Than Container Load) as opposed to an FCL (Full Container Load). Naturally, our professionals will help you make the decision that is optimal for your requirements.

*The ultimate cost will be affected by your needs and our capacity to offer packing and/or loading services.

We can nevertheless explain how this is computed because the weight and quantity of the products being transported impact the cost of marine freight.

You should be aware that the weight/volume ratio is determined using the equivalent rule: = 1 m3 per ton.
In UP, groupage and conventional forms of transportation are well-established.
The carrier will always benefit by performing the computation or correlating to the highest value, regardless of the unit of measurement (in volume or in mass).

Remark Docshipper : The packing process is crucial because it ensures the security of your goods from the point of departure to the point of arrival. Some customers don't think they actually need this step because it has a specific cost. Big mistake! You want to know more about the packaging services we offer. Speak to our shipping specialist or go to our specialized page: packaging service.

Air Freight between Malaysia and South Korea

Air freight is the process of moving goods from one place to another using specifically designed aircraft, such as cargo planes or empty space in commercial planes. It is often used for urgent shipments or those requiring fast delivery, or for products that require specialized handling, such as perishable or hazardous goods.

 

Express versus regular air freight ?

There are two distinct forms of transportation:

Traditional air freight : This method is used by airlines like British Airways, Air China, Thai Airways, and Qatar Airways to deliver cargo on routine flights. It utilizes the space on commercial airplanes that is available.

Express air freight : With this second, more expensive choice, things are flown on freighter-specific aircraft. After that, "courier firms" are in charge of offering door-to-door services, such picking up the goods from the airplane and delivering them to the customer. They are, in order, UPS, FedEx, TNT, and DHL. This method of supplying goods to clients also enables hand delivery of such items anywhere in the world.

classic vs express air freight

Main Malaysia airports 

  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
  • Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
  • Penang International Airport (PEN)
  • Langkawi International Airport (LGK)
  • Kuching International Airport (KCH)
  • Senai International Airport (JHB)
  • Miri International Airport (MYY)
  • Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
  • Sandakan Airport (SDK)
  • Sultan Mahmud Airport (TGG)

Main South Korean airports

  • Incheon International Airport (ICN)
  • Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
  • Jeju International Airport (CJU)
  • Daegu International Airport (TAE)
  • Busan's Gimhae International Airport (PUS)
  • Cheongju International Airport (CJJ)
  • Gwangju Airport (KWJ)
  • Ulsan Airport (USN)
  • Yangyang International Airport (YNY)
  • Muan International Airport (MWX)

Delais de livraison

The transit time between Malaysian and South Korean airports

Depending on where you depart from, a flight from Malaysia to France should typically take 13 hours. In order to finish the delivery from the pickup location to the ultimate destination, allow yourself 6 to 9 days. Again, this is only an estimate.

*Keep in mind that logistics don't end with the flight; for a number of reasons, customs may decide to keep a shipment.

Note SIAM : Transit times are difficult to forecast because they mostly depend on budget; a flight leaving the next day is possible, but it will probably be more expensive. In general, 2 to 4 days might be expected. For more information, don't hesitate to contact us.

How much does air freight between malaysia and south korea ?

Considering how much bulk and weight affect air freight rates, the cost will probably change based on what you're transporting. Because your shipment must also pass customs when it arrives, the contents will have an impact on your rates.

What distinguishes volumetric weight from gross weight ?

In order to account for the density of your cargo, two methods are used to classify the charged weight of your items.

Let's examine the process used to determine air freight tariffs. Understanding the distinction between volumetric weight and real weight is crucial for you. You can comprehend your air freight quotes once you've received them.

gross-vs-dimensional-weight           airfreight-volumetric-weight-formula

The carrier will provide you a quote based on this weight if the volumetric weight exceeds the actual weight of your consignment. Now that you know how it works, you may utilize online load weight calculators to make things simpler.

DocShipper Plus : we have being helping companies and people get the best deals with the best cargo carriers for so long,  we can offer you very competitive rates for major air cargo services between Malaysia and South Korea. We may schedule both regular and courier air freight, as well as add truckload services, to deliver your things wherever you are. Get in contact with us for a quote in less than 24 hours.

Customs clearance between Malaysia and South Korea

Customs clearance refers to the procedures and checks required to allow imported or exported goods to enter or leave a country in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. It involves administrative processes and customs inspections to ensure the goods meet the requirements.

The necessary document:

The customs clearance process for importing or exporting goods between Malaysia and South Korea involves several documents that must be filled out correctly to avoid any delays or issues at customs.

  • Commercial invoice: This document details the description of the goods, quantities, prices, sales conditions, and other relevant information.
  • Certificate of Origin: This document proves the origin of the goods and is necessary to determine applicable customs duties.
  • Transport document: This can include a transport invoice, a bill of lading, or an airway bill, which indicates shipment details such as the name of the sender and recipient, the date of shipment, mode of transportation, and carrier details.
  • Customs declaration: This document is filled out by the importer or exporter and provides information about the goods to the customs administration.
  • Certificates of complianceor other regulatory documents: This may include safety certificates, environmental compliance certificates, or any other regulatory document required for specific goods.

The process of customs clearance :

The customs clearance process can be summarized in the following steps:

  • The Malaysian exporter prepares the necessary customs clearance documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any necessary permits or licenses.
  • The goods are shipped from Malaysia to South Korea via air, sea, or land.
  • Import customs clearance request: The importer declares the goods to be imported to the customs chief, who would accept the declaration if it complies with customs law and other regulations.
  • Inspection: The process of inspecting and processing imports involves selecting goods for inspection using risk management techniques and analyzing cargo data to identify high-risk items.
  • If the goods are cleared, the importer pays applicable duties, taxes, or fees such as value-added tax (VAT) or customs duties, and the goods are released for delivery.
  • If the goods are flagged for further control, the KCS may conduct additional checks such as physical inspection of the goods, testing, or document verification. Once the KCS completes the customs clearance process, the goods can be delivered to their final destination in South Korea. For more information.

please visit the Korean Customs website by following this link for more information.

 

what is an HS code ?

 

The HS (Harmonized System) code is an international product classification system used by customs for the identification of imported or exported goods.

It is a six-digit code used to identify the type of product and to determine the applicable customs tariffs, as well as applicable regulations, restrictions, and requirements. Each country uses the HS code classification system, but some may add additional numbers to meet their national needs.

In Malaysia, the HS code is used for the classification of imported and exported goods and is administered by the Malaysian Customs Department.

How to find the HS code?

 

To find the HS code, you need to follow these simple steps:

  1. Determine the nature of the product you want to import or export.
  2. Visit the website of the World Customs Organization using this link.
  3. Type the name of your product in the search bar and the HS code of your product will appear.

custom tarifs transitbtime south korea

 

Customs Tariffs

 

South Korea imposes customs tariffs on certain imported products, although the country has signed several free trade agreements that have significantly reduced customs tariffs between member countries. Customs tariffs in South Korea vary depending on the product and country of origin. For example, imported cars may be subject to customs tariffs of up to 8%, while agricultural products may be subject to much higher customs tariffs, up to 513%.

FTA: FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS:

South Korea requires customs tariffs on certain imported products, although the country has signed several free trade agreements that have significantly reduced customs tariffs between member countries. Customs tariffs in South Korea vary depending on the product and country of origin.

 

How to obtain customs tariffs by product

 

In order to have a clear view of customs tariffs, you will need to determine the nature of the product and its country of origin.

To do this, you should follow these simple steps:

  • Visit the website of the South Korean customs from this link
  • Use a translation extension to translate the webpage (you can install it for Google Chrome via this link)

 

  • Type the HS code or product name in the Search Bar.
  • Click on the product you are looking for in the results

  • A detailed explanation of its tariff appears and you will thus obtain all the information which you need for your transaction.

 

 

Advice Docshipper : It is fairly typical to incur significant additional taxes at the conclusion of your import. We suggest you be well informed on all taxes. Contact Docshipper for additional details.

Additional DocShipper Services

stockage

Warehousing and storage

If you encounter an emergency, a setback, or anything else that might hinder your relocation, a warehousing service might be useful to you. For instance, you can store your products in our warehouse if you need to leave Malaysia a few days before they are sent to China.

Visit our specialty page at Warehousing.

service -emballage

Packaging and repackaging

Boxes are the most widely used kind of packaging. If your cardboard is of excellent quality, it may come in a range of sizes and be quite robust. If you're on a tight budget, pack carefully. When packing valuable or long-lasting objects, choose strong packaging.

Docshipper can handle all of your packing requirements. Whatever you need to pack, our technological professionals can handle it. You must agree that certain objects have odd dimensions. We'll take care of the packing for you! You are unable to pack since you lack the necessary supplies. For you, they will pack!

More information can be found on our specialist page : packing services.

assurance-transport

Cargo Insurance

The price of insurance is influenced by the type of vehicle being insured, the concept behind the product, and the insurance company. The pronounced value may be increased by up to 20% to indicate any damage, regardless of the equipment. The advocate includes the item's value in addition to the main transportation costs.

View our specialty page here : insurance services.

service de Demenagement

Relocating and moving personal effects

Are you truly planning to travel to Malaysia ? When you travel, you might need to pack a lot of bags or keepsakes. Professionals handle all the urgent, packaging, and customs inspection to make sure that everything gets to your house in top shape, whether you are in Malaysia, China, or anywhere else in the world.

Visit our dedicated page for moving assistance.

DocShipper Advise : We help you with the entire sourcing process so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

  • Having trouble finding the appropriate product? Enjoy our sourcing services, we directly find the right suppliers for you!
  • You don't trust your supplier? Ask our experts to do quality control to guarantee the condition of your goods!
  • Do you need help with the logistics? Our international freight department supports you with door to door services!
  • You don't want to handle distribution? Our 3PL department will handle the storage, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery!

 

DocShipper | Your dedicated freight forwarder in Malaysia !

 

Due to our attractive pricing, many customers trust our services and we thanks them. Stop overpaying the services and save money with our tailored package matching will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective solution.

Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!