Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to South Korea
Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/busan-south-korea/">Busan</a> and <a href="/shipping-to/inchon-south-korea/">Inchon</a>. The rate starts at USD 3 per cubic foot to Busan, and the carrier estimates 17–35 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.
Personal effects to Seoul or Incheon are not accepted under the current carrier tariff; household goods for Korea should be planned through Busan. Koreans returning after living abroad and foreigners with residence can import used household goods with duty exemptions, declared to Korea Customs Service.
Korean customs clearance is fast and fully electronic, and most consignees use a licensed customs broker. Busan is the natural destination for the south-east industrial belt, including Ulsan, Changwon and Daegu. Commercial cargo to Incheon is accepted, so companies in the Seoul metropolitan area can receive goods close to their offices; only personal effects are restricted there.
Commercial cargo to Busan and Inchon. Goods for Korean companies may go to either port. Inchon is the quicker option and sits beside the Seoul metropolitan area: about 17 days from Vancouver and 27 days from Toronto or Montreal. Busan suits importers in the south-east industrial belt and takes about 25 days from the west coast of Canada and 35 from the eastern gateways. The tariff makes every Korean shipment subject to ISPM 15, so wooden pallets and crates need the heat-treatment stamp. Bring the cargo to the warehouse already palletized, keep the invoice value at or below CAD 2,000 and leave dangerous goods out; the destination charges are quoted by the carrier and prepaid in Canada.
Commercial cargo rates to South Korea
| Destination | From Toronto | From Montreal | From Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan | USD 4 / cu ft 35 days · min. USD 406.28 | USD 4 / cu ft 35 days · min. USD 406.28 | USD 3 / cu ft 25 days · min. USD 370.96 |
| Inchon | USD 5 / cu ft 27 days · min. USD 533.74 | USD 5 / cu ft 27 days · min. USD 533.74 | USD 4 / cu ft 17 days · min. USD 506.01 |
Example: a small commercial shipment from Vancouver to Busan
- A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 370.96
- One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 455.73
- Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 646.46
The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in South Korea.
Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Busan
- From Toronto: USD 519.30, about 35 days
- From Montreal: USD 519.30, about 35 days
- From Vancouver: USD 455.73, about 25 days
Vancouver is both the least expensive and the fastest gateway to Busan. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.
One pallet to different cities in South Korea
- Busan: USD 455.73 from Vancouver, about 25 days
- Inchon: USD 519.30 from Vancouver, about 17 days
The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 63.57.
Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 370.96 to Busan, against USD 370.96 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.
Documents for commercial cargo
- Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in South Korea classify the goods.
- Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
- Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.
Pallets and crates
Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in South Korea. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.
Carrier conditions for South Korea
- Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
- Seoul/Inchon Personal Effects / Household Goods Not Accepted
How to book
Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to South Korea.
Shipping to South Korea by service
- All shipping to South Korea: rates and destinations
- Personal effects shipping to South Korea from Canada
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to ship a pallet to South Korea?
One pallet of 120 × 100 × 150 cm weighing 350 kg from Vancouver to Busan costs about USD 455.73 including all A1 fees. Destination charges, duties and taxes are confirmed separately.
Which documents does a commercial shipment to South Korea need?
A commercial invoice and a packing list, plus anything the carrier conditions for South Korea require. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
Does A1 pick up or palletize the cargo?
No. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Rates valid through December 25, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.