How to get Personal Customs Code for foreigners staying in Korea
This page is for foreigners, who are living or staying for a short period in Korea, to refer to how to buy items which is sold by buying agents for overseas items.
Recently, overseas direct purchase(, called as '해외직구' in Korean) and overseas buying office service(, called as '해외구매대행' in Korean) become more popular to buy electric gadgets and personal goods. That's because it's usually more cheaper than domestic sellers and consumers can get rare items which can not be supplied by domestic sellers.
Under this purchasing method, there's a pain-point that consumers can not accept easily.
It's long delivery time and customs clearance procedure.
In Korea, most domestic items, being sold online, can be delivered to customers within one or two days thanks to excellent delivery network. Not only domestic truckers but also sellers maintaining their online shop on online commercial platforms are being pushed to keep fast delivery by platform service providers in order to achieve goals for prompt delivery.
Most Korean customers are accustomed to this practice. So, it's difficult for Korean customers to endure long delivery time but some foreigners are quite surprised when they get their goods within two days.
Meanwhile, Korean customers sometimes accept long delivery time. The key reason is the price. As long as the price is much lower than similar items supplied by domestic sellers or factories, they are willing to wait for arrival of goods for a long time. I think this logic is also effective on foreigners as well since they also spend time on looking for more cheaper goods if possible.
As like Korean customers, there's a way for foreigners, staying in Korea, to take advantage of overseas buying office service.
It's getting 'Personal customs code(개인통관고유부호)' issued by Korea customs service.
Korea customs service allows foreigners to get 'Personal customs code' on system administered by itself.
And below images & guidance could be good reference for foreigers staying in Korea.
The procedure is very simple. Just follow instructions then, you will get your own 'Personal Customs Code' which can be used for a lifetime or staying in Korea.
