Customs registration of freight forwarders and express carriers

Procedure

Procedure

1. 01

   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. 02

   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. 03

   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. 04

   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.

Filing route

Filing route

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Fees & official charges

Fees & official charges

Included in the basic fee — Initial document review, required-document guidance, basic form preparation, one filing support and responses to up to two supplement requests.

Displayed amounts are starting estimates, not statutory or standard rates. The final fee is confirmed after consultation and document review in the engagement agreement. Government fees and actual expenses may change.

Basic documents

Basic documents

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.