How to Export from India to South Korea (2026): Documents, CEPA Duty, Shipping & Costs
Everything an Indian exporter needs to ship to South Korea in 2026 — registrations (IEC, GST, AD code), the India–Korea CEPA duty advantage, documents, HS classification, packaging, DDP vs DDU, costs and timelines.
Key takeaways
- You need IEC, GST (with LUT for zero-rated export) and an AD code registered at the port of export.
- The India–Korea CEPA cuts Korean import duty to 0–5% on most Indian goods — get a Certificate of Origin.
- Ship DDP so your Korean buyer receives goods with duty and 10% VAT pre-paid — closes deals faster.
- Air express door-to-door from ₹609/kg (21 kg+) in 5–8 days; sea LCL for 500 kg+ in 4–6 weeks.
Quick answer
Register (IEC + GST + AD code), classify your product under the correct HS code, obtain a CEPA Certificate of Origin, pack and label to Korean standards, and ship DDP with a corridor specialist. ShipKorea.in handles export customs in India, air freight to Incheon, Korean import clearance with duty pre-paid, and door delivery — from ₹609/kg, in 5–8 days.
Step 1 — Registrations every exporter needs
Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT (online, ~₹500, 1–2 days). GST registration — exports are zero-rated; file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) to ship without paying IGST upfront. An Authorised Dealer (AD) code from your bank registered at the port/airport of export (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata for our air routings). Optionally RCMC membership with the relevant Export Promotion Council (APEDA for food, EPCH for handicrafts, Pharmexcil, etc.).
Step 2 — The India–Korea CEPA advantage
India and South Korea have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (in force since 2010). Most Indian goods enter Korea at 0–5% duty instead of the 8–13% MFN rate — if you present a CEPA Certificate of Origin (Form KIN) issued by an authorised Indian agency (EIA, MPEDA, Textile Committee, etc.). We tell you upfront whether your HS code qualifies and what the landed duty will be.
Step 3 — Documents for Korean import clearance
Commercial invoice (with HS codes, INCOTERMS, buyer's Korean business registration number), packing list, airway bill (we issue it), CEPA CoO, and product-specific paperwork: MFDS import declaration for food/cosmetics/health supplements, KC certification for electricals, phytosanitary certificate for plant products, FSSAI/APEDA export certificates for food. Korea's customs (KCS) uses the UNI-PASS system — our Korean clearance partner files it electronically.
Step 4 — Packaging, labelling and prohibited items
Export cartons with 5-ply corrugation, shrink-wrap for cosmetics, moisture barriers for food and textiles. Korean labelling (product name, ingredients, importer, expiry) is required for retail-ready food and cosmetics — we can apply labels at our Delhi hub. Prohibited or restricted: certain Ayurvedic bhasmas (heavy metals), raw meat/dairy, seeds without permits, lithium batteries in bulk, e-cigarettes.
Step 5 — Shipping options and real costs
Air express door-to-door (our core service): ₹749/kg (0.5–2 kg) down to ₹609/kg (21 kg+), all-inclusive of pickup, export clearance, air freight, Korean duty + VAT (DDP) and delivery, 5–8 days. Consolidated air cargo for 100 kg+: quoted per shipment, 7–10 days. Sea LCL for 500 kg+/low-value bulk: 4–6 weeks, quoted per CBM. Compare on landed cost — a DDU quote that looks cheaper often adds 15–25% at Korean customs.
Step 6 — Getting paid and scaling
Korean buyers pay by T/T (bank transfer) — provide your AD-code bank details and a proforma invoice. Realise export proceeds within 9 months for RBI compliance. Start with samples (we ship sample parcels at the same per-kg rate), move to consolidated monthly shipments, and use our Seoul-side warehousing for marketplace (Coupang, Naver Smart Store) fulfilment.
Which Indian products sell in Korea right now
Basmati and Sona Masoori rice for Indian restaurants, spices and masalas, tea (Assam, Darjeeling), Ayurvedic cosmetics and oils, handicrafts and home décor, cotton and handloom textiles, leather goods, pharma intermediates, engineering components. See our dedicated pages on rice export, Ayurvedic exports and restaurant supply.
Frequently asked questions
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