KR
1. Korea → USA Shipping Methods Compared
Your best option depends on cargo size, urgency, and your buyer's situation. Use the comparison table below to choose.
| Method | Best Cargo | Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL sea freight forwarding | 0.5-15 CBM, general cargo | 20-28 days (to LA) | Best value for larger volumes |
| FCL container | 15+ CBM, bulk | 18-25 days (to LA) | Dedicated container, ideal for large-volume exports |
| Air freight forwarding | High-value/urgent, 100kg+ | 3-5 days | Fast, but higher cost than sea |
| DHL/FedEx courier | Small quantity, under 100kg | 1-3 days | Fastest, ideal for small quantities |
| Export under DDP terms | When clearance support is needed | Varies by method | Exporter covers US tariffs and clearance |
💡 If your US buyer has no customs experience, or if the item requires a complex process like FDA filing, DDP terms work in your favor. The exporter removes the risk of the importer getting stuck at customs.
2. Major US Ports of Entry & Lead Times (From Busan)
Transit times differ significantly between the US East and West Coasts. Choose your port of entry based on your buyer's location.
| Port of Entry | Coverage Area | Sea Transit | Pickup-to-Delivery Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA / Long Beach (West Coast) | California, entire West Coast | 12-15 days | ~18-25 days |
| Seattle (Northwest) | Washington, Oregon | 10-13 days | ~17-22 days |
| New York/New Jersey (East Coast) | New York, New England | 22-26 days | ~28-35 days |
| Savannah (Southeast) | Georgia, Florida | 22-25 days | ~28-33 days |
| Chicago (Midwest, rail-linked) | Entire Midwest | Via LA + 5-7 days | ~25-35 days |
3. The 7-Step USA Export Process
01
Choose a forwarder & decide incoterms
Coordinate with your buyer on which incoterm — EXW, FOB, DAP, or DDP — to use.
DAP: delivered to a specified location, tariff paid by importer
DDP: exporter covers tariff, clearance, and delivery (maximum convenience for buyer)
02
Cargo pickup & packing
Your forwarder picks up cargo from the origin point. Wood packaging (pallets, crates) requires ISPM 15 fumigation treatment.
03
Export declaration (EEI)
Exports to the USA require filing Electronic Export Information (EEI) through AES (Automated Export System). Your forwarder handles this on your behalf.
EEI filing is mandatory for cargo valued over $2,500
04
Loading & sea/air transit
Departs from Busan Port or Incheon International Airport. A B/L or AWB is issued.
05
Pre-arrival security filing (ISF)
Ocean cargo requires an ISF (Importer Security Filing) submitted to CBP 24 hours before US arrival. Your forwarder handles this under DDP terms.
06
US customs clearance (CBP)
Import declaration is filed with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If documents check out, clearance typically completes in 1-2 days.
FDA-regulated items (food, cosmetics, medical devices): a separate pre-filing is required
CPSC-regulated items (children's products, electrical goods): certification must be ready
07
Last-mile delivery
Delivered to the buyer's specified address after clearance. Under DDP terms, your forwarder handles delivery as part of the package.
4. What Is Export Under DDP Terms? — When You Need It
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an incoterm where the exporter takes on full responsibility for local tariffs, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery.
✓
When your buyer has no US customs experience
Individual or small-business buyers often find CBP clearance procedures unfamiliar. DDP removes that burden from the importer entirely.
✓
Items with complex regulations like FDA filing
Items requiring FDA pre-notification — food, cosmetics, medical devices — are safer when your forwarder handles the whole process under DDP.
✓
B2C sales or Amazon FBA delivery
For direct delivery to an Amazon FBA warehouse, it's standard practice to hand off clearance and delivery to your forwarder under DDP terms.
5. USA Customs Precautions
| Watch Item | Description | How to Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Missing ISF | Fines apply for missing the CBP filing 24 hours before shipping | Have your forwarder handle ISF filing |
| Missing FDA filing | Pre-notification is mandatory for food, cosmetics, and medical devices | Confirm FDA filing status before shipping |
| Non-compliant wood packaging fumigation | Wood packaging without ISPM 15 treatment cannot enter | Apply ISPM 15 fumigation and attach the marking |
| Under-invoicing | Reporting a value below the real transaction price causes a clearance hold | Prepare the invoice using the actual transaction price |
| Unconfirmed Korea-US FTA origin | Missing origin proof means the agreed tariff rate doesn't apply | Prepare Korean origin certification in advance |
6. Tosome Logis USA Export Service
No prior experience shipping to the USA is fine. Just give us your cargo details — we'll guide you from method selection through DDP handling.
Tosome Logis USA Export Forwarding Terms
🚢Side-by-side LCL, FCL, and air comparison — cost-optimized to your volume and urgency
📋Incoterms consulting — guidance on cost differences and trade-offs across EXW/FOB/DAP/DDP
DDP handling — local US customs clearance through last-mile delivery, handled as one package
📦Export packing support — wood crating, wood packing, and ISPM 15 fumigation treatment
📘Document support — export declaration, EEI, ISF, invoice and packing list preparation
✅Transparent pricing — All-in quote, no add-on charges mid-shipment
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Choose based on cargo size and urgency. (1) Small/urgent: DHL/FedEx courier (1-3 days). (2) Small-to-medium volume (0.5-15 CBM): LCL sea freight (20-28 days). (3) Large volume: FCL container. If your buyer has trouble with clearance, choose DDP terms.
About 12-15 days to LA (Long Beach), 22-26 days to New York/New Jersey (from Busan, ocean transit only). Plan on roughly 20-30 days total for LCL, from factory pickup through delivery in the USA.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an incoterm where the exporter covers all costs — local tariffs, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery — and delivers to the importer's specified location. It's advantageous when the buyer has no customs experience or faces complex regulations like FDA filing.
The basic documents are a B/L (or AWB), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and HS code. Ocean cargo requires an ISF filing 24 hours before arrival, and an EEI filing is required for export. Food and cosmetics need FDA filings, and wood packaging requires ISPM 15 fumigation certification.
Under DAP terms, the importer (buyer) is responsible for US tariffs. Under DDP terms, the exporter covers US tariffs as well. Items eligible under the Korea-US FTA can access the agreed tariff rate with proof of origin.
High-value cargo with tight deadlines is more cost-effective by air (3-5 days); general cargo in bulk is more cost-effective by sea (20-28 days). For small quantities under 100kg, DHL/FedEx courier is the most convenient option.
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