Bofeng Logistics provides dedicated international air freight logistics services from the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou Baiyun CAN, Shenzhen Baoan SZX, Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok HKG, Macau MFM) to South Korea. Leveraging a dense Asian route network, it provides efficient and reliable air cargo solutions for China-Korea trade clients.
I. Route Overview
The Pearl River Delta is home to the world’s densest cluster of top-tier airports—Hong Kong International Airport (HKG, No. 1 globally in cargo volume), Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX, No. 3 globally), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN, No. 4 globally). The three airports have a combined annual cargo throughput of over 8 million tonnes. (Source: 2025 annual reports of the respective airports / IATA World Air Transport Statistics)
The China–South Korea air cargo market is one of the most active trade corridors in Asia. Exports from the Pearl River Delta to South Korea are mainly electronics, semiconductor materials, chemicals, and cross-border e-commerce. Flights from Guangzhou/Shenzhen/Hong Kong to Seoul take only about 3 hours, making same-day delivery and next-day arrival possible.
The air cargo Bofeng Logistics sends to South Korea via Pearl River Delta airports each month consists mainly of semiconductor materials, electronic products, and chemicals. It has extensive operational experience with South Korean import customs clearance and KC certification and MFDS declaration requirements. This route provides direct service from any Pearl River Delta airport to major South Korean air cargo hubs.
II. Route Plan
2.1 Direct Flights
| Departure Airport | Destination Airport | Primary Airlines | Reference Flight Time | Flight Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun) | ICN Seoul Incheon | China Southern Airlines CZ | ~3.5h | 2 flights daily |
| SZX (Shenzhen Baoan) | ICN Seoul Incheon | Air China CA | ~3.5h | Daily |
| HKG (Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok) | ICN Seoul Incheon | Cathay Pacific CX | ~3.5h | 2 flights daily |
| MFM (Macau International) | — | Requires transfer via Hong Kong | — | — |
2.2 Characteristics of Each Departure Airport
| Airport | Advantages | Suitable Cargo |
|---|---|---|
| CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun) | China Southern operates 2 direct flights to Incheon daily, with the highest flight frequency | Traditional general cargo, large-volume cargo |
| SZX (Shenzhen Baoan) | Short distance and short flight time, convenient for electronics exports from South China | Electronic products, e-commerce express shipments |
| HKG (Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok) | Cathay Pacific operates 2 direct flights to Incheon daily, with an extensive transfer network | High-value cargo, global transfers |
| MFM (Macau International) | Transfer via Hong Kong | Small-volume cargo |
III. Applicable Cargo Types
- General cargo: electronic products, semiconductor materials, chemical products, cosmetic raw materials
- Sensitive cargo: goods with built-in batteries, liquids and powders (non-hazardous grade)
- Dangerous goods: lithium batteries (UN3480/UN3481, must be handled in accordance with IATA DGR)
- Temperature-controlled cargo: pharmaceutical products, chemical products (advance declaration required)
- High-value cargo: semiconductor equipment, precision instruments
IV. Transportation Terms and Customs Clearance Methods
| Terms | Origin Pickup | Air Freight Segment | Destination Port Customs Clearance | Last-Mile Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door to Port | ✅ Door pickup | ✅ | ❌ Customer handles customs clearance | ❌ |
| Port to Port | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ Customer handles customs clearance | ❌ |
| Port to Door | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ Bofeng assists with customs clearance | ✅ |
| Door to Door | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Bofeng assists with customs clearance | ✅ |
Default is “Door to Port”. If you need destination port customs clearance and delivery services, please inform us in advance when placing your order.
V. Service Process
- Consultation and Quotation: Confirm cargo information, destination airport, and time requirements
- Booking: Secure flight space and confirm the cargo cut-off time
- Delivery / Pickup: Deliver to warehouse or Bofeng pickup at your location
- Export Customs Clearance: Bofeng handles China export customs declaration on your behalf
- Palletization and Loading: Cargo build-up, weighing, and aircraft loading
- Air Transport: Direct flight to Incheon, flight time approximately 3.5 hours
- Korea Customs Clearance: Handled by the customer or assisted by Bofeng according to the terms
- Last-Mile Delivery: After customs release, delivery to the address designated by the consignee
6. Reference Transit Time
| Method | Reference Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Air Freight | 2-4 days | Direct flights from CAN/SZX/HKG to ICN, flight time only 3.5h |
| Air Express | 2-3 days | DHL/UPS/FedEx door-to-door |
VII. Customs Declaration and Clearance
- Export Customs Declaration: Handled throughout by Bofeng Logistics' professional team.
- South Korea Import Clearance: Depending on the terms, it is divided into customer self-clearance or Bofeng assistance (advance notice required). Korean customs has KC certification and MFDS declaration requirements for categories such as electronic products, cosmetics, and food. These must be confirmed before import; see the next section for details.
8. South Korea Import Compliance Requirements: MFDS and KC Certification
South Korea's compliance regulation of imported goods is divided between two systems: MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) is responsible for safety access for food, cosmetics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals; KC Certification (Korea Certification) is managed by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and covers electronic and electrical appliances, children's products, and other industrial consumer goods. Whether a shipment triggers these two types of requirements directly determines whether customs clearance can be released smoothly, so it is recommended to confirm this clearly before shipment.
8.1 MFDS: Food, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices
MFDS is South Korea's competent authority for imports of food and pharmaceutical products. For goods within its jurisdiction, in addition to Korea Customs, a declaration must also be made to MFDS, and they can only be released after obtaining import declaration confirmation.
| Category | MFDS Process | To Confirm Before Shipment |
|---|---|---|
| Food, health functional foods | Overseas manufacturer registration + import declaration + inspection (document review / precision inspection / random sampling) | Whether the overseas manufacturer has completed MFDS registration; whether the Korean label is compliant |
| Cosmetics | Responsible sales business registration; functional cosmetics require additional review | Whether the Korean importer has responsible sales business qualifications |
| Medical devices | Divided by risk level into three pathways: license, certification, and declaration | Product classification and required license type |
| Pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical raw materials | Import license and quality management review | Import qualifications and scope of license |
| Food-contact materials | Declared according to food-category requirements | Whether the material meets Korean standards |
The MFDS inspection method depends on category risk, prior import records, and sampling arrangements: document review only examines documents, precision inspection requires samples to be sent to designated institutions for testing, and random sampling is conducted according to a set proportion. For first-time imports, new categories, or goods with prior non-compliance records, the possibility of being assigned a precision inspection is higher, and longer customs clearance time should be reserved accordingly.
8.2 KC Certification: Electronic and Electrical Appliances and Consumer Goods
KC certification is South Korea's mandatory product certification system. Electronic products, electrical appliances, children's products, and some industrial goods must obtain the KC mark before being distributed in the Korean market. For air exports, if the goods fall within the scope of KC control, the corresponding certificate or declaration of conformity must be provided during Korean customs clearance; otherwise, the goods may be required to be returned or the certification may need to be completed later.
Note that KC certification is applied for by the Korean importer or its authorized agent; Chinese shippers usually cannot complete it unilaterally. Before shipment, confirm with the Korean consignee whether the certification has been completed, and check whether the product nameplate and instructions meet Korean labeling requirements.
8.3 Other Common Compliance Requirements
- Chemicals: Ingredient information and safety data sheets (MSDS) must be provided; some substances are regulated under South Korea's chemical registration and evaluation regulations.
- Wooden packaging: Solid wood packaging must comply with ISPM 15 fumigation or heat treatment requirements and be marked.
- Labels and markings: South Korea requires imported goods to have Korean labels stating the product name, ingredients, importer information, etc.
Compliance requirements vary by category and change with updates to Korean regulations. The above is a general description; specifics are subject to confirmation by the Korean consignee or its customs broker. Bofeng Logistics can assist in sorting out the required document checklist before shipment and coordinate with the Korean customs clearance party.
IX. Freight Information
Billing is based on the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight (length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000). Freight rates on short-haul routes are relatively stable, and peak-season surcharges are lower. Specific freight charges fluctuate with cargo volume, commodity name, and flight space. You are welcome to inquire at any time.
10. List of Required Documents
Air export usually requires the following documents; please prepare them in advance:
| Document | Description | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Details the product name, quantity, unit price, total price, and HS code | Shipper |
| Packing List | Lists the number of pieces, gross weight, net weight, and dimensions of each box | Shipper |
| Air Waybill (AWB) | Prepared on behalf by Bofeng Logistics and issued after confirmation | Bofeng Logistics |
| Certificate of Origin | Required by some destination countries for tariff reduction or exemption | Shipper or Chamber of Commerce |
| Export Customs Declaration Authorization Letter | Authorizes Bofeng Logistics to handle customs declaration as agent | Shipper |
| KC Certification / MFDS-related Documents | For goods in controlled categories, required for customs clearance in South Korea | South Korean consignee or its agent |
Specific document requirements vary by destination country and type of goods. When placing an order, customer service will provide complete guidance on the document list.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How fast is the fastest air freight from the Pearl River Delta to South Korea?
A: CAN/SZX/HKG direct flights to Seoul take about 3.5 hours. With same-day handover, arrival at a South Korean airport can be as early as the next day. Transit time including export declaration and import customs clearance is generally 2–4 days.
Q: Is an MFDS customs clearance report required for exports to South Korea?
A: Whether MFDS applies depends on whether the goods are food, health functional foods, cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or food-contact materials. For goods in these categories, an import declaration must be completed with MFDS and import declaration confirmation obtained before the goods can be released; ordinary industrial products, electronic products, and chemical raw materials that do not fall into these categories generally do not involve MFDS. Before shipping, it is advisable to confirm the category classification first.
Q: How long does an MFDS import declaration take?
A: The time depends on the inspection method assigned. Document review is usually faster; precision inspection takes significantly longer because samples need to be sent for testing; random inspection depends on the inspection selection rate. For first-time imports or new product categories, it is advisable to allow more ample customs clearance time.
Q: What special requirements are there for customs clearance in South Korea?
A: Electronic products, electrical appliances, etc. require KC certification; food and cosmetics require MFDS declaration; chemicals require an MSDS; solid wood packaging must comply with ISPM 15. KC certification is usually applied for by the South Korean importer. Before shipping, confirm with the consignee whether it has been completed.
Q: Should MFDS registration be handled by the shipper or the consignee?
A: MFDS import declarations and overseas manufacturing enterprise registration are usually handled on the South Korean side by the South Korean importer (or its appointed customs broker or import agent). The Chinese shipper needs to cooperate by providing supporting documents such as product formulation, ingredient information, certificate of origin, and manufacturing process description. It is recommended to align this checklist with the consignee before booking space.
Q: Must the consignee on the air waybill be the South Korean importer?
A: It should usually be the actual importer in South Korea, because import declaration and compliance responsibility are borne by the South Korean entity. If other arrangements are used, feasibility must be confirmed in advance with the South Korean customs clearance party.
XII. Further Reading
- Starting from the Pearl River Delta: A Guide to Connecting with Major Global Air Freight Routes and Hubs
- Air Freight Billing Methods: Volumetric Weight (DIM) Explained
- International Air Freight Services: Routes, Transit Times, and Booking Methods
- Customs Declaration Supervision Modes Comparison: Quick Reference for Export Customs Declaration Modes
13. Contact Us
- Phone: 130-7567-8958 ｜ Email: info@zhbfwl.com ｜ Online Inquiry: Get an Air Freight Quote
Bofeng Logistics Air Freight Team ｜ 20 years of international logistics experience, providing you with one-stop international air freight solutions.