Package Stuck in Korean Customs? 5 Common Customs Clearance Issues Foreigners Face in Korea
- GoWonderfully
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Imagine ordering something important from overseas, only to see your tracking status stop moving for days. Then you receive a postal letter or Korean text message from a courier or customs office, but you are not sure what it means or whether you need to pay a fee, submit a document, or correct your information. Unfortunately, many foreigners who are unfamiliar with ordering items from overseas or receiving international packages often find themselves in this frustrating situation.
Korean customs procedures are highly regulated, documentation requirements are strict, and most communication is conducted entirely in Korean. Even minor mistakes — such as missing a customs notice or entering your name incorrectly — can cause shipment delays, additional charges, packages being held indefinitely, and in extreme cases, disposed of by customs if clearance deadlines are missed.
From PCCC problems and Korean tax notices to restricted items and customs broker requirements, here are the 5 most common reasons packages get delayed by Korean customs — and how GoWonderfully can help.
If your package is already delayed, start with this:
Check the tracking page for the latest status.
Look for any Korean text messages, emails, or mailed notices.
Confirm whether your PCCC, name, and phone number match the recipient details.
Check whether customs duties, taxes, or documents are being requested.
Contact the courier or shipping company if the status is unclear.
Not sure what a notice you received means? Send it to GoWonderfully on any of the following channels and we can help review it: Facebook, Kakao Talk, WhatsApp, Instagram, Email
1. PCCC Problems: Your Package Is Held Without a Personal Customs Clearance Code
In Korea, a Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC 개인통관고유번호) is required when ordering items from overseas shopping websites or when receiving gifts shipped from abroad. Many foreigners only realize this requirement after their package is already held at customs.
If you have an ARC(Alien Registration Card aka Residence Card) and a Korean phone number registered under your ARC, GoWonderfully can assist with applying for a PCCC. Even if you do not have an ARC, it may still be possible to obtain a PCCC by visiting a nearby customs office in person. We can help locate the closest office and confirm which documents you will need to bring.
In some cases, when arranged in advance and when the item is legally importable, GoWonderfully may be able to provide recipient details for the shipment and assist with the customs process. However, this must be discussed before the item is shipped, and it may not be possible for all items, senders, or shipment types. This would also not apply to packages that have already been shipped, with the recipient details of another person. By planning ahead, we help ensure packages can be cleared smoothly and without unnecessary delays.
2. Korean Customs Notices: Missing Tax Payments or Required Documents
Customs notifications related to tax payments or additional documentation are usually sent in Korean via text message, email, or mail. If you don’t speak Korean, it’s easy to overlook or misunderstand these messages. When receiving gifts from abroad, customs may even send physical notices by mail, which can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the process.
Some shipping companies, such as UPS or DHL, charge storage fees if packages are not cleared within a certain timeframe.
If you’re unsure whether you missed a customs message or received a notice and are unclear about next steps, GoWonderfully can assist by contacting customs offices or shipping companies directly, checking the status of your package, and helping resolve any outstanding issues before additional fees accumulate.
For more details about PCCC and custom tax, you can also read our guide here: A Foreigner’s Guide to Dealing with Korean Customs
Common Korean phrases you may see:
통관 보류: customs clearance on hold
개인통관고유부호 필요: PCCC required
관세 납부 필요: customs duty payment required
수취인 정보 불일치: recipient information mismatch
서류 제출 필요: documents required
Received one of these messages? Send us a screenshot and we can help explain it: Facebook, Kakao Talk, WhatsApp, Instagram, Email
3. Restricted Items: Supplements, Medication, Contact Lenses, and Medical Devices
Korea has strict regulations on certain items, including medical equipment, medications, and health supplements. There are limits on how many supplements can be imported, and medications often require documentation from a doctor based in Korea explaining medical necessity.
Recently, even items such as contact lenses — now classified as medical devices — have caused customs issues when ordered from abroad.
In these situations, GoWonderfully can help by assisting with obtaining a medical note from a local doctor when possible. If an item cannot be cleared at all, we can also help arrange services that remove restricted items from the package, so that the remaining contents can still be released.
4. Recipient Information Errors: When Your Name or Phone Number Does Not Match
Korean customs systems are extremely strict when verifying personal information. When using a PCCC, your name in the recipient’s details must match exactly as it appears on your ARC — including capitalization, spacing, and name order. The phone number must also match the number registered with your PCCC.
Names with special characters, reversed name order, or inconsistent formatting can cause customs clearance to fail.
If a shipment is delayed due to incorrect recipient information, GoWonderfully can assist by resubmitting corrected details and communicating directly with customs officials and shipping companies to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
5. Customs Broker Requirements: When Standard Customs Clearance Is Not Enough
Certain shipments cannot be cleared through standard customs procedures and require a licensed Korean customs broker. This commonly applies to:
Shipments valued over USD 1,000
Gifts worth over KRW 500,000
Items classified under regulated or controlled categories
If the item is being imported for commercial purposes, such as resale
If the importer chooses or is required to file under general import clearance
If the item requires inspection by customs under Article 226 of the Customs Act (which gives customs officers the authority to inspect goods when they believe closer review is necessary to confirm what the item actually is, whether it’s legally importable and whether it needs special approval, documents, or taxes). It does not mean the item is illegal by default — just that it falls into a category that requires manual review.
For foreigners, determining when a customs broker is required — and how to work with one — can be confusing, particularly when instructions are provided only in Korean.
GoWonderfully helps by researching appropriate customs brokers, assisting with communication, and supporting the overall coordination process to ensure shipments are cleared efficiently and legally.
Need Help With Korean Customs?
Korean customs procedures can be confusing for foreigners, especially when language barriers and strict regulations are involved. GoWonderfully provides dependable, bilingual support to help navigate customs processes, communicate with relevant parties, and resolve issues efficiently.
If you’re facing delays, unclear requirements, or simply want support managing customs in Korea, GoWonderfully is here to help make the process smoother and less stressful.
Disclaimer: Please note that customs decisions are ultimately made by Korean customs authorities, couriers, brokers, and other relevant parties. GoWonderfully can assist with communication, research, coordination, and practical next steps, but we cannot guarantee that every package can be cleared.
GoWonderfully is staffed with bilingual personal assistants dedicated to helping foreigners save time and reduce hassle. Our time-based service offers affordable support charged by the minute - with no monthly membership, no commitments, no hidden transaction fees and you can cancel anytime. Chat instantly with professional assistants to get anything done quickly and seamlessly.
GoWonderfully is the best on-demand English-speaking virtual assistant service in South Korea. Serving the expat community for nearly 10 years we've maintained the highest customer ratings on both Google and Facebook.
Don’t let a Korean customs notice or delayed shipment become more stressful than it needs to be. GoWonderfully can help you understand the issue and communicate with the right parties in Korean.
Regarding our pricing, we charge for the time taken working on your request by the minute, for as low as 1250 KRW per minute, depending on your preferred pricing package. If interested in our service, you can reach us on Facebook, Kakao Talk, WhatsApp, Instagram or Email.
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