🇰🇷 South Korea → 🇺🇸 United States
KORUS (US-Korea FTA)
Compliance path
KORUS in force since 2012, amended 2018; covers virtually all bilateral trade in goods with full tariff elimination on industrial products. Korean cosmetics, K-beauty, and consumer electronics dominate the personal-import volumes. Certificate of Origin Form KORUS-1 required for preferential duty.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from South Korea to United States?
Travellers entering United States from South Korea are subject to United States's personal allowances and declaration rules. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 1 L
- Cigarette allowance: 200
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 800
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 10000
2. Can I post goods from South Korea to United States?
Parcels move through United States's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 7 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Postal imports follow the same $800 de minimis threshold. USPS international parcels are subject to CBP examination. Commercial shipments via post require formal entry if over $2,500.
3. Can I import commercially from South Korea to United States?
Yes. Commercial importers into United States need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
Originating goods qualify for KORUS (US-Korea FTA) preferential duty — often 0% — provided rules-of-origin criteria are met. Postal / courier de minimis: 800 USD.
Raised from $200 to $800 by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. Shipments at or below $800 enter duty-free and tax-free with minimal documentation. Section 321 exemption.
5. FTA + rules of origin
KORUS (US-Korea FTA) is in force on this lane. To claim preferential duty, the goods must meet the agreement's rules of origin (typically a regional value content threshold or a tariff-shift test) and the importer must hold a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration.
See: All FTAs
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Certificate of Origin or origin declaration to claim KORUS (US-Korea FTA) preference.
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by United States.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
- cosmetics commercial — restricted
- watches commercial — restricted
- mobile phones commercial — restricted
Generally restricted categories into United States:
- Firearms and ammunition (requires permits/licenses)
- Certain agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, meats — inspection required)
- Trademarked goods (limited personal-use quantities)
- Prescription medications (personal-use quantities only)
- Alcohol (state regulations apply; requires importer license for commercial quantities)
- Cultural artifacts and antiquities
9. Official sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — destination customs authority.
- Korea Customs Service (KCS) — origin customs authority.
- United States country profile — full source panel and rule index.
- FTA registry — search for KORUS (US-Korea FTA).
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from South Korea to United States as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from South Korea entering United States are subject to United States's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 1 L. Cigarette allowance: 200. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 800. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from South Korea to United States?
Yes — parcels move through United States's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 7 days. De minimis: 800 USD. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from South Korea to United States?
Yes. Commercial imports into United States require an importer of record, customs declaration via U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. KORUS (US-Korea FTA) preferential duty is available if origin requirements are met.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Originating goods qualify for KORUS (US-Korea FTA) preferential rates (often 0%). De minimis below 800 USD.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
Yes — to claim KORUS (US-Korea FTA) preferential duty, the consignment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration meeting the agreement's rules-of-origin criteria. Without it, MFN duty applies.
What is United States's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering United States must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.