Korea Parcel Delivery Guide for Foreigners — Price & Delivery Speed Comparison
This guide compares the most commonly used services in Korea:
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Korea Post (우체국 택배)
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Registered Mail / Express Registered Mail (등기 / 빠른등기)
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Private Couriers (Lotte, CJ Logistics, Hanjin, also known as “professional couriers”)
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Convenience Store Shipping (GS25, CU)
We also explain the average delivery time from local areas (e.g., Busan, Daegu, Gwangju) to Seoul.
🏤 1. Korea Post (우체국 택배)
Korea Post is the most trusted option for both local and international deliveries.
👍 Pros
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Very reliable and safe
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Easy tracking
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Good pricing for small to medium parcels
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Fast delivery (usually next day for domestic parcels)
👎 Cons
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Must visit the post office during business hours
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Heavy parcels can be slightly more expensive than private couriers
✉️ 2. Registered Mail / Express Registered Mail (등기 / 빠른등기)
This service is mainly for documents, small items, and valuable mail that must be tracked and delivered quickly.
Ideal for
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Legal documents
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University or bank papers
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Passports (when allowed)
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Small electronic items
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Items that must arrive the next day
Delivery Speed
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Registered Mail: Usually next day or within 1–2 days
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Express Registered Mail (빠른등기): Often next day nationwide
🚚 3. Professional Couriers (Lotte, CJ Logistics, Hanjin, Logen, etc.)
These companies are considered “Korea’s private courier services.”
They are widely used for online shopping, business shipping, and heavier parcels.
👍 Pros
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Good for medium to heavy parcels
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Door-to-door pickup available
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Reliable national network
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Competitive price for 5–20 kg items
👎 Cons
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Delivery speed may vary during peak seasons
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Tracking updates sometimes delayed
Best for
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Online sellers
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Moving or sending personal items
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Heavy or large parcels
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Bulk shipments
🏪 4. Convenience Store Shipping (GS25, CU)
This option is popular because it is available 24 hours, and foreigners can use it easily by entering a phone number and address.
👍 Pros
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Send a parcel anytime (24/7)
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Very convenient — stores are everywhere
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Good pricing for light parcels
👎 Cons
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Delivery may take longer than Korea Post
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Limited size/weight range
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Not ideal for urgent shipping
Best for
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Lightweight items
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Clothing, books, accessories
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Travelers who need to send souvenirs home within Korea
💰 5. Weight-Based Price Comparison (Average Domestic Rates)
| Weight | Korea Post | Private Couriers (Lotte, CJ, Hanjin) | Convenience Store (GS25/CU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5–1 kg | Around 4,000 KRW | 4,000–5,000 KRW | 3,000–4,000 KRW (very small) |
| 1–3 kg | 5,000 KRW range | 5,000–6,000 KRW | ~5,000–6,000 KRW |
| 3–5 kg | 6,000 KRW range | 6,000–7,000 KRW | 6,000–7,000 KRW |
| 5–10 kg | 7,000–8,000 KRW | 7,000–10,000 KRW (best option) | 8,000–11,000 KRW |
| 10–20 kg | 9,000–12,000 KRW | 10,000–15,000 KRW | 12,000–17,000 KRW |
👉 Light parcels (under 3 kg): Convenience store or Korea Post
👉 Heavy parcels (over 5 kg): Private couriers have the best price
👉 Documents: Registered mail / express registered mail
🚀 6. Delivery Time: From Local Cities → Seoul (Example: Busan/Gwangju → Seoul)
| Service | Average Delivery Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Korea Post Parcel | ⭐ Next day–1 day | Very stable & fast |
| Registered / Express Mail | ⭐ Same/next day | Best for documents |
| Private Couriers (Lotte, CJ, Logen) | 1–2 days | 2–3 days during peak season |
| Convenience Store Shipping | 1–3 days | Can be slower on weekends |
🧭 7. Which Service Should You Use?
✔ If you want the fastest and safest delivery
→ Korea Post Parcel or Express Registered Mail
✔ If you are sending heavy or large items
→ Private Couriers (Lotte, CJ, Hanjin, Logen)
✔ If you want convenience (send at midnight)
→ GS25 or CU convenience store shipping
✔ If you’re sending documents
→ Registered / Express Registered Mail
📝 Final Summary
Korea offers many delivery options, and each service has strengths:
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Korea Post → Fast, reliable, good for most parcels
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Registered / Express Mail → Best for documents & urgent items
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Private Couriers → Best for heavy parcels & home pickup
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Convenience Store Shipping → Best for lightweight items & 24/7 access
By choosing the right service, foreigners living in Korea can save time, money, and stress when sending parcels anywhere in the country.
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