How to Register with Customs — Requirements and Renewal for Freight Forwarders and Express Carriers (Bonded Transporters, etc.)

Procedure

1. 1. Confirm the business type and prior registration

   Customs registration applies to bonded transporters, freight forwarders who intend to handle bonded cargo, businesses delivering commercial documents and samples, and others (Customs Act, Article 222(1)). A freight forwarder must be engaged in freight forwarding under other laws, so first confirm that prior registration, such as international logistics brokerage registration, is in place (Article 223(ii)).

2. 2. Check the registration requirements

   The applicant must not fall under any item of Article 175 (minors, persons under adult guardianship or limited guardianship, undischarged bankrupts, persons within the set period after punishment for Customs Act violations, corporations with such persons as officers, etc.). There must be no unpaid customs duties or national taxes, and 2 years must have passed since any cancellation (Article 223). For a corporation, check the officers as well.

3. 3. Prepare and submit the registration application

   Submit to the head of the customs office, as set by the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, an application stating the applicant's address, name and trade name, the type of business and place of business, and the type, name and number of transport means, with attachments (Customs Act Enforcement Decree, Article 231(2)). The head of the customs office enters the applicant in the register and issues a registration certificate if the requirements are met, the applicant has the transport means and facilities and the minimum capital or deposit set by the Commissioner, and is not under investigation or indictment for a customs offense (Article 231(3)).

4. 4. Report changes and renew every 3 years

   A registrant must report any change in registered matters without delay to the head of the customs office with jurisdiction over the place of registration (Enforcement Decree, Article 231(6)). Registration is valid for 3 years (Customs Act, Article 222(5)), and to renew, submit a renewal application to the head of the customs office at least 1 month before expiry (Enforcement Decree, Article 231(4)). Note the expiry date in a calendar so it is not missed.

Required documents

• Application for registration of bonded transporters, etc. (Customs Act Enforcement Decree, Article 231(2); form set by the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service)
• Proof of prior registration or permit (freight forwarding registration certificate, etc., per the business type)
• Proof of capital or deposit (confirm the amount in the Commissioner's standard)
• Status of transport means and facilities (type, name and number of transport means)
• Document confirming no unpaid customs duties or national taxes
• Corporate registry certificate and list of officers (to check disqualifications)

Fees

Industry range of several hundred thousand won · quoted after consultation depending on business type, number of officers, prior registration and whether renewal or change reports are handled together. Government fees are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Customs Act, Article 175
• Customs Act, Article 222
• Customs Act, Article 223
• Customs Act, Article 224
• Enforcement Decree of the Customs Act, Article 231

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-17

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• The specific standards for capital or deposit and for transport means and facilities are set by the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, so confirm the current standard with the customs office before applying.
• Renewal must be applied for 1 month before expiry. If the deadline is missed the registration expires and the business cannot continue, so start preparing 2 months before the expiry date.

Frequently asked questions