Guide for Exports and Imports Between Türkiye and South Korea

South Korea, which has become an important foreign trade partner by gradually increasing its foreign trade volume with Türkiye, has become a potential target market for exports. In this context, those who want to trade with South Korea have questions such as "What should be considered in order to import and export with South Korea?", "Which transportation methods are used in exports with South Korea?". You can find detailed answers to these and similar questions in our Türkiye-South Korea Import and Export Guide.

Geographical Location of South Korea

Located in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, South Korea covers an area of approximately 100,210 square kilometers. South Korea has 2,413 kilometers of coastline along three surrounding seas. To the west is the Yellow Sea, to the south the East China Sea, to the east the Sea of Japan and the Ulleungdo and Liancourt Cliffs. Its only land neighbor is North Korea. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has a population of more than 10 million. Busan is the second largest city with a population of over 4 million.

What Does South Korea Export the Most?

The most exported products of South Korea are the following:

Electronic devices
Nuclear reactors, machines
Vehicles other than railways, trams
Plastic products
Mineral fuels, oils and distillates
Iron and steel
Organic chemicals
Optical, photographic, technical and medical devices

What Does South Korea Import the Most?

The main product categories most imported by South Korea are:

Mineral fuels, oils and distillates
Electronic devices
Machines, nuclear reactors, boilers
Metal ores, slag and ash
Optical, photographic, technical and medical devices
Vehicles other than railways, trams
Iron and steel
Organic chemicals
Plastic products

What Does South Korea Buy Most from Türkiye?

The products imported by South Korea from Türkiye are as follows:

Pharmaceutical products
Machines, nuclear reactors, boilers
Knitted or crocheted clothing
Clothing not knitted or crocheted
Mineral fuels, oils and distillates
Inorganic chemicals, precious metal compound, isotope
Vehicles other than railways, trams
Optical, photographic, technical and medical devices
Nickel

What Does Türkiye Buy Most from South Korea?

Türkiye's most imported products from South Korea can be listed as follows:

Plastic products
Iron and steel
Machines, nuclear reactors, boilers
Organic chemicals
Vehicles other than railways, trams
Pharmaceutical products
Electronic devices
Artificial filaments
Rubbers
Optical, photographic, technical and medical devices
Aluminum

Which Countries Does South Korea Import the Most From?

According to the United Nations COMTRADE international trade database, South Korea's top import destinations in 2021 in US dollars are as follows:

China- 138.62 Billion Dollars
United States - 73.66 Billion Dollars
Japan- 54.64 Billion Dollars
Australia- 32.91 Billion Dollars
Saudi Arabia - 24.27 Billion Dollars

How Much Do We Import from South Korea?

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Türkiye's imports from South Korea amounted to USD 7.03 billion in 2021.

What are South Korea's Top Export Countries?

According to the COMTRADE database, you can examine the countries to which South Korea exported the most in 2021 below:

China - 162.92 Billion Dollars
United States - 96.31 Billion Dollars
Vietnam- 56.73 Billion Dollars
Hong Kong- 37.47 Billion Dollars
Japan- 30.06 Billion Dollars

How Much Do We Export to South Korea?

According to the international trade database United Nations COMTRADE, Türkiye's exports to South Korea amounted to USD 1.23 billion in 2021.

Which transportation methods are used for import and export between Türkiye and South Korea?

Seaway LCL shipping is a transportation method that businesses intending to export from Türkiye to South Korea can safely choose. In addition to being safe, the fact that it is an affordable solution also makes seaway LCL shipping stand out for small, medium and large-scale businesses.

What are the Transit Times for Imports from South Korea to Türkiye?

Busan port is used for imports from South Korea. The transit time is 35 days and machinery, spare parts and automotive products are the mostly shipped goods from South Korea to Türkiye.

What are the Transit Times for Exports from Türkiye to South Korea?

Busan port is used for exports from Türkiye to South Korea. Transit time is 34 days. Machinery, textiles and raw materials are the most common products shipped to Busan port.

Seaway LCL Shipping Between Türkiye and South Korea

In seaway LCL shipping, which is a safe transportation method that can be safely preferred between Türkiye and South Korea, a load that does not have the volume to stuff an entire container is shipped together with other loads. Since the products of different businesses are transported together, freight charges are also divided among these businesses. In this context, seaway LCL shipping stands out as a transportation method frequently preferred by small, medium and large-scale enterprises as it is safe, fast and economical.

What are the Mandatory Documents for Export between Türkiye and South Korea?

The documents and regulations required for import and export may vary from country to country. In order to avoid any problems in the import and export process, it is important to get detailed information about the process and the trade laws, regulations and agreements of the target country. The following documents are must-have documents regardless of the country you are exporting to:

Commercial Invoice
Detailed list of products shipped (quantity, value and other necessary information)
Bill of lading
Customs Declaration
Required product-related certificates

How to E-Export from Türkiye to South Korea?

Today, exporting online has become much more advantageous than traditional approaches. Thanks to e-export, you can easily deliver your products and services to the target market abroad.

A "Free Trade Agreement" has been in force between Türkiye and South Korea since 2013, and if you are considering exporting to South Korea, you can get detailed information by reading our content titled How to E-export?, and benefit from Shipeedy Logistics services for fast and economical delivery of your products and services to be exported to the warehouses in the target market.

What is Incoterms? What to Know When Exporting to and Importing from South Korea

Created by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Incoterms is a set of rules that facilitates foreign trade and determines the responsibilities of the parties. In line with these standards, businesses seamlessly ship their products and services abroad.

If you want to get more detailed information about Incoterms, which determines your rights and obligations in your trade with South Korea and helps you avoid potential problems, check out our Incoterms article.

Foreign Trade Made Much Easier with Shipeedy!

If you aim to export to South Korea and increase the foreign trade volume of your business, Shipeedy Logistics seaway LCL shipping services are the right choice for you! You can easily create a membership and get a price quote by clicking here to ship your products abroad in a safe, fast and economical way.