Countries · KR
South Korea: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 3 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to South Korea.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for South Korea in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in South Korea may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
3 entries on the official lists name South Korea — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming South Korea recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
South Korea: logistics and trade
Export nation / sea and air freight hub of East Asia
South Korea (KR) is a leading export nation and one of East Asia's key sea and air freight hubs. The country belongs to no customs union but is closely integrated into world trade through numerous free trade agreements (EU-Korea, KORUS with the US, RCEP). Customs clearance is fully electronic via the Korea Customs Service's UNI-PASS system, and import VAT is 10 percent. The main gateways are Incheon Airport (ICN), one of the world's largest air cargo hubs, and the seaports of Busan, Incheon and Gwangyang, with Busan serving as a global transshipment centre. Inland, the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu rail line (Seoul-Busan) connect the core economic regions, complemented by the KTX network. The trade profile is dominated by semiconductors, vehicles, ships and petrochemical products; the main partner countries are China, the US, Vietnam and Japan.
- Capital
- Seoul
- Population
- 51,690,000
- Area
- 100,210 km²
- Currency
- South Korean Won (KRW)
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- East Asia / Korea
- Economic area
- RCEP / WTO (numerous free trade agreements)
- Religions
- No religious affiliation, Christianity, Buddhism
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Road · Rail
- Current situation
- South Korea is the world's fourth-largest container handling location (around 30,0 Mio. TEU in 2024); Busan remains the central transshipment hub of Northeast Asia. No nationwide disruption verified (as of 2026-07-18).
- Seasonal conditions
- Typhoon season (July to September) with heavy rain; monsoon (Jangma) in early summer; cold winters, partly with heavy snow.
Main seaports
- Busan
Busan (KR PUS): South Korea's largest port and the world's 7th container hub. 24.4M TEU in 2024, major transshipment, alternatives Gwangyang and Incheon.
- Gwangyang Hang
Gwangyang (KR KAN): South Korea's second-largest container port, 2.01M TEU in 2024, with POSCO steel and a major LNG terminal.
- Ulsan
Ulsan (KR USN): one of the world's top liquid-cargo ports in South Korea for crude oil, petrochemicals and Hyundai car exports. ~404,000 TEU. Containers via Busan.
- Pyeongtaek Hang
Pyeongtaek (KR PTK), South Korea's top vehicle port on the Yellow Sea: RoRo with Hyundai Glovis and Kia, plus containers. Alternatives: Busan, Incheon.
- Inchon
Inchon/Incheon (KR INC): Yellow Sea container port serving Seoul. 3.56M TEU, cars, semiconductors, China ferries. Alternatives: Busan, Pyeongtaek.
- Daesan Hang
Daesan (KR TSN) is a major South Korean petrochemical and oil port for crude and chemicals; containers route via Incheon or Busan.
Main cargo airports
- Incheon International AirportICN
Incheon Airport (ICN): South Korea's top cargo hub with 2.95M tonnes handled in 2025, Korean Air Cargo terminal, 24/7 customs clearance and links to Seoul.
- Gimhae International AirportPUS
Gimhae (PUS): Korea's #2 airport, belly cargo, night curfew, sea-air via Busan port. Replacement Gadeokdo airport (24h) now targeted for 2035.
- Gimpo International AirportGMP
Gimpo (GMP): Seoul's city airport, domestic cargo, new battery rules since April 2026, Urban Mobility Hub project. International air freight via Incheon.
Road corridors
- Gyeongbu Expressway (Seoul-Busan)
- Seohaean Expressway (West Coast)
Rail corridors
- Gyeongbu Line (Seoul-Busan)
- Honam Line
- KTX network
Main trade lanes
- South Korea-China
- South Korea-USA
- South Korea-Vietnam
- South Korea-EU
- South Korea-Japan
Customs and import
Customs authority Korea Customs Service (KCS)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic customs clearance via UNI-PASS of the Korea Customs Service; almost paperless import declaration including online payment of customs duties and taxes.
- Export customs system
- Export declaration also via UNI-PASS; predominantly duty-free exports, fully electronic processing by the Korea Customs Service.
- Import VAT
- 10 percent standard VAT on imports; additionally possible consumption tax on certain luxury goods.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- FTA origin proofs (EU-Korea, KORUS, RCEP): origin declaration or self-certification by the exporter; under KORUS no prescribed form.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Restricted/prohibited: weapons, drugs, counterfeit goods, certain agricultural and quarantine goods; strict controls on food and pharmaceuticals.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB)
- Import declaration (UNI-PASS)
- Proof of origin (under FTA)
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration (UNI-PASS)
- Origin declaration (FTA)
- Waybill
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Low
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- High
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- High
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- mineral oils
- semiconductors
- machinery
- vehicles
- chemicals
Top export goods
- semiconductors
- vehicles
- ships
- electronics
- petrochemical products
Typical cargo
- semiconductors
- vehicles
- ships
- electronics
- petrochemical products
Upcoming public holidays
- Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- Independence Movement DayMon, 1 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
- Children's DayWed, 5 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Memorial DaySun, 6 Jun 2027 · businesses closed
- Liberation DaySun, 15 Aug 2027 · businesses closed
- National Foundation DaySun, 3 Oct 2027 · businesses closed
- Hangeul DaySat, 9 Oct 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Port Disruptions in Asia Tie Up Around Three Million TEU Capacity29 Sept 2026
Delayed vessels effectively remove approximately three million TEU from the market. Importers must plan for greater buffer capacity.
- Samsung Demands at Least $186 Million from CMA CGM8 Sept 2026
Samsung is demanding at least $186 million from CMA CGM for disputed ancillary charges on door-to-door transportation services in the USA. The case has not yet been decided.
- South Korea Launches First Commercial Container Test Voyage Across the Arctic24 Aug 2026
The PanStar Acro is transporting actual cargo from Busan via the Arctic to Europe. South Korea is thus testing the Northern Sea Route commercially for the first time.
- PanStar Reports Strong Demand for First Northeast Passage Voyage3 Aug 2026
PanStar plans South Korea's first container test voyage through the Northeast Passage. Demand is rising, however full capacity booking has not been confirmed.
- Switzerland and 18 Partners Aim to Better Secure Supply Chains19 Jul 2026
Switzerland and 18 partner states aim to better coordinate trade and make supply chains for essential goods more resilient. New members include Peru, South Korea, and Thailand.
Logistics questions
What is the import VAT rate in South Korea?
The standard VAT rate is 10 percent on imports. Certain luxury and consumer goods may also be subject to an additional excise tax.
Which customs system does South Korea use?
The Korea Customs Service processes imports and exports fully electronically via the UNI-PASS system, including online payment of duties and taxes.
Which free trade agreements does South Korea have?
South Korea has numerous FTAs, including the EU-Korea FTA (since 2011), KORUS with the US (since 2012) and RCEP. These grant tariff preferences when origin rules are met.
What is South Korea's most important port?
Busan, handling about 24.4 million TEU (2024), is the country's largest port and one of the world's leading transshipment hubs.
How important is Incheon Airport for air cargo?
Incheon (ICN) handled about 2.95 million tonnes of air cargo in 2024 and ranks among the world's three largest cargo airports.
What seasonal transport risks exist?
Typhoons with heavy rain occur between July and September; the monsoon (Jangma) in early summer. Winters can be cold and snowy.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 18 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.