Avoid Customs Charges When Shipping from Korea to USA

Avoid Customs Charges When Shipping from Korea to USA

avoid customs charges korea USA shipping?

Sending parcels from Korea to the United States can be smooth if you understand U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules and declare shipments accurately. Below are key practices to reduce the risk of heavy duties or return-to-sender issues.

1. Keep the declared value at or below USD 100

The U.S. de minimis threshold for duty-free personal shipments is generally 100 USD. List the HS code, product name, detailed description, and value clearly. Always state the country of origin as Korea, not China, if the item is Korean-made.

2. Never under-declare value

Falsely lowering the declared price can lead to seizure, additional duties, and return shipping costs. Customs officers often verify market prices and may revalue the shipment.

3. Avoid corporate identifiers

Even for gifts under 100 USD, if the sender name, outer box, or packing tape shows a company name or logo, CBP may treat it as a commercial import and assess duties. Use plain packaging and list an individual sender.

4. New items may be flagged as resale goods

Brand-new products can be considered commercial merchandise. When possible, note that items are “personal gift” or “used” if accurate, and include a short explanation on the customs form.

5. Repetitive shipments raise red flags

If one person sends identical goods to multiple U.S. recipients, CBP can classify them as sales rather than gifts. Space out shipments and vary contents when possible.

6. Limit product variety in each box

Send fewer types of similar items per package. Mixed categories in one box may trigger closer inspection and a higher declared value.

Company practice example

Allthatsales prepares a customs pre-clearance consent form at the Korean post office and ships strictly person-to-person to minimize risk. Still, no method guarantees full protection from duties or delays.

Additional fee notice

As of September 22, a U.S. customs processing surcharge of about USD 1.60 per package applies. U.S. buyers should be aware of this added cost.

Following these guidelines—accurate declaration, simple packaging, and honest documentation—keeps shipments compliant and reduces the chance of unexpected “customs bomb” charges when sending parcels from Korea to the United States.