Shipping from Dubai
to South Korea.
We ship from Dubai and from anywhere in the UAE to South Korea every week, by sea and by air. Busan takes most of it, and a direct service gets there noticeably faster than a routing through Incheon. We ship business and personal cargo, do the paperwork at both ends, and deliver to your address.
Overview
Sea and air freight
to South Korea.
Shipping from Dubai to South Korea takes about 23 to 31 days by sea, and 1 to 4 days by air. Busan is the main container gateway and a current published rotation reaches it from Jebel Ali in about 23 days. Incheon serves Seoul and the north west, but cargo usually gets there through a transhipment, which can push the transit to around 31 days. Busan New Port is part of the same complex and handles a large share of container traffic. Gwangyang serves the southern industrial areas around Yeosu. Air cargo flies into Incheon International. We deliver everywhere, including Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Suwon, Ulsan, Changwon, Seongnam, Goyang and Yongin. We move machinery, aluminium, copper, plastics, electrical goods, iron and steel products and household goods. Navo Shipping handles the sea freight, air freight and customs clearance on the Dubai to South Korea route, door to door. Tell us what you are sending and where it is going, and we will tell you which way is cheaper.

Ports and gateways
Sea ports and airports
we ship to from Dubai.
Every bill of lading carries two ports: where the cargo loads, and where it discharges. We load at Jebel Ali or another UAE port. South Korea has four sea ports we use and one airport. They suit different cargo and different inland legs, so the loading port and the discharge port are worth choosing separately.
POLPort of loading
We collect anywhere in the UAE, free zones included, and load at whichever of these eight suits the cargo.
- Jebel AliAEJEA
- Port RashidAEPRA
- Khalifa PortAEKHL
- Zayed PortAEAUH
- Port KhalidAESHJ
- Khor FakkanAEKLF
- Port of FujairahAEFJR
- Ajman PortAEAJM
PODPort of discharge
The right one is whichever leaves the shortest inland leg to your delivery address. On a long lane that leg is a shipment in its own right, so it is planned rather than assumed.
- Port of BusanKRPUSSea port, Korea StraitBusan, Daegu, Ulsan and southern South Korea
How cargo reaches Port of Busan
Shipping from Dubai to Busan is the fastest way into the country. A current published rotation runs it direct from Jebel Ali in about 23 days, with no transhipment on the way. It is the main container gateway and has by far the widest choice of sailings. Sea freight is priced per container on a full load and per cubic metre on a shared one. Even for a Seoul delivery it is often the better landing point once the transhipment time into Incheon is counted. Get a rate for Port of Busan - Busan New PortKRBNPSea port, Korea StraitBusan and container distribution nationally
How cargo reaches Busan New Port
Shipping from Dubai to Busan New Port can use a confirmed suitable vessel booking, normally relayed through a Southeast Asian hub rather than sailed direct. It handles most of Korea's container traffic and is a transshipment hub in its own right, so service choice is wide. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Gwangyang is the alternative for the south west. The quote separates ocean freight, transshipment, carrier surcharges, terminal handling, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Busan New Port - Port of IncheonKRINCSea port, Yellow SeaSeoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi and north-western South Korea
How cargo reaches Port of Incheon
Incheon sits next to Seoul, which makes it look like the obvious choice for the capital. In practice cargo from Dubai usually reaches it through a transhipment, and current estimates run to about 31 days. Weigh that against roughly 23 days into Busan plus a road leg north. For time-sensitive cargo Busan often wins even though it is further away. Get a rate for Port of Incheon - Port of GwangyangKRKANSea port, South SeaGwangyang, Yeosu and the southern industrial areas
How cargo reaches Port of Gwangyang
Shipping from Dubai to Gwangyang can use a confirmed suitable vessel booking, normally relayed through a Southeast Asian hub rather than sailed direct. It serves the steel and petrochemical belt on the south coast and is quieter than Busan, which can mean less waiting at the terminal. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Busan New Port is the alternative. The quote separates ocean freight, transshipment, carrier surcharges, terminal handling, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Port of Gwangyang - Incheon International AirportICNAirportSeoul, Incheon and distribution nationally
How cargo reaches Incheon International Airport
Air freight from Dubai to Incheon International can use accepted belly or freighter capacity, with the routing confirmed live, subject to commodity, space, screening and local cargo handling approval. It is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, so uplift is rarely the limit. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Busan New Port by sea is the alternative for volume. The quote separates uplift, connection, screening, terminal, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Incheon International Airport
- Port of BusanKRPUSSea port, Korea StraitBusan, Daegu, Ulsan and southern South Korea
Before you ship
Import rules
for South Korea.
South Korea is simpler than its reputation, and it is worth saying so plainly. There is no number that has to exist before the ship leaves Dubai. Commercial imports are declared electronically to Korea Customs through a system called UNI-PASS, and the declaration can be filed before the vessel arrives to speed clearance up, but it is a clearance step rather than a pre-shipment gate. What does need checking early is whether the goods are controlled. Quarantine items, products needing safety certification and various regulated categories need approval from the agency responsible for them, and that approval takes time. Ordinary commercial cargo needs nothing beyond the usual paperwork. Tell us the product and the HS code and we will confirm before you book.

Documentation
Documents you need
for South Korea.
These 8 cover most shipments to South Korea. The exact list depends on the commodity and its HS code, so send us both and we confirm what applies before the cargo is booked.
- 01Invoice showing what you paid for the goods
- 02Packing list showing what is inside
- 03Certificate of origin showing where the goods were made
- 04Bill of lading or air waybill, which is the shipping ticket
- 05Dubai export paper, which we do for you
- 06Korean import declaration through UNI-PASS, filed by your buyer or their broker
- 07Quarantine certificate, where the goods need one
- 08Safety certification or agency approval, for controlled products
Get the paperwork right in Dubai and clearance at destination is routine. Fixing a document after arrival is slow, and storage accrues the whole time it takes.

How it works
Dubai to South Korea
shipping, step by step.
Send the cargo details: what it is, where it is going, rough weight and dimensions. We come back with the routes that suit it, sea against air, and a written rate with a validity date on it. You pick one, we book it, and one coordinator stays with the shipment until it is delivered in South Korea.
- 01
Send the details
Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, how big it is, and where in South Korea it goes.
- 02
Get a price
We send you a price in writing, with every charge shown. No surprises later.
- 03
We book and clear
We weigh Busan against Incheon on your delivery address, check any product approval, collect, load, and handle the papers at both ends.
- 04
We deliver
We track the shipment and keep you updated all the way, then bring the goods to your door.
Questions
Cargo to South Korea
questions, answered.
The 16 we are asked most on the Dubai to South Korea route. If yours is not here, send it with the commodity and we will answer it directly.
Do you offer movers and packers for a house move from Dubai to South Korea?
Yes. Our movers and packers do the packing, wrapping and listing in Dubai, then we ship your furniture and household goods in a full container, or share one if you have less to send. The item by item list matters, because customs clear personal effects against it. Fuel, gas cylinders, paint, aerosols and loose batteries cannot travel, and we give you the full list before packing day.
How long does shipping from Dubai to South Korea take?
Sea freight to South Korea takes about 23 to 31 days, and air freight to South Korea takes 1 to 4 days. A current published rotation reaches Busan direct from Jebel Ali in about 23 days. Incheon usually needs a transhipment and can run to around 31. We give you a date in writing when we quote.
How much does shipping from Dubai to South Korea cost?
It depends on what you send, how big it is, and where in South Korea it is going. We do not publish prices because every shipment is different. Sea freight to South Korea is priced per container when you fill one, and per cubic metre when you share one. Air freight to South Korea is priced on weight or size, whichever is greater. Send us the details and we send you a price in writing, usually the same day.
Which cities in South Korea do you deliver to?
All of them. Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Suwon, Ulsan, Changwon, Seongnam, Goyang, Yongin, Cheongju, Jeonju, Cheonan and Pohang. Just give us the address and we bring it to the door.
Which ports in South Korea do you ship to?
Busan is the main gateway and is reached direct from Jebel Ali. Busan New Port is part of the same complex. Incheon serves Seoul and the north west. Gwangyang serves the southern industrial areas. For air cargo we fly into Incheon International.
Should my cargo go to Busan or Incheon?
Usually Busan, even for Seoul. Incheon is closer to the capital, but cargo from Dubai normally reaches it through a transhipment at around 31 days, while Busan is served direct in about 23. Add the road leg north and Busan still often arrives sooner. Tell us the delivery address and we will work out which is better on your shipment.
What is UNI-PASS?
It is the electronic system Korea Customs uses for import declarations. Your buyer or their broker files through it, and the declaration can go in before the vessel arrives to speed clearance. It is a clearance step, not something you need before the goods leave Dubai.
Do you deliver door to door?
Yes. We handle freight forwarding to South Korea door to door. We collect the goods in Dubai, move them, clear them through customs, and bring them to your address. You deal with one company for the whole journey.
Can I send a small shipment, or do I need a full container?
You can send as little as one box or one pallet. We put small shipments from different customers into one shared container. This is called LCL, or less than container load. Your goods load at Jebel Ali and come into Busan. When you have more goods, you move up to your own full container, which is called FCL. We will tell you which one is cheaper.
Does my product need approval in South Korea?
It might. Quarantine items, products needing safety certification and various regulated categories need approval from the agency responsible for them. Ordinary commercial cargo does not. Tell us the product and the HS code and we will check before you book.
Can you ship a car from Dubai to South Korea?
Yes. We do car shipping to South Korea, and used vehicles can be imported, including a car brought in as part of a move. Inspection, conformity and registration requirements apply once it lands. We could not confirm any blanket maximum vehicle age. Send us the make, model, year and chassis number and we will check your case.
Do you handle customs clearance in South Korea?
Yes, at both ends. We handle customs clearance in Dubai and customs clearance in South Korea. You do not need to find your own clearing agent.
Can you collect the goods from my supplier in Dubai?
Yes. We collect anywhere in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. We can also hold your goods in warehousing and storage in Dubai until you are ready to ship. That helps when you are buying from several suppliers and want everything to travel to Busan in one container.
Can you ship machinery and heavy equipment to South Korea?
Yes. We move project cargo to South Korea as well. Big, heavy items go in open top or flat rack containers, or loose on the ship. Gwangyang handles industrial and bulk cargo for the southern belt. Send us the size and weight and we will work out the best way to move it.
Can you move my household goods to South Korea?
Yes. We move full house moves and part loads to South Korea, including Seoul, Busan and Incheon. We pack, collect, move and deliver, and we handle the customs clearance so your things are not waiting on paperwork.
Do I pay duty on my household goods?
Goods you have normally used abroad for more than three months can qualify as moving effects under Korean rules. Unaccompanied effects usually need to arrive within six months, so the timing matters. A vehicle is subject to extra conditions. Tell us your situation and we will explain what to expect.
Ready to ship from Dubai
to South Korea?
Send the commodity and its HS code, the weight and dimensions, and the delivery address. We confirm what South Korea checks before you ship, then the routing options, then a written rate with a validity date on it.
- Written rates
- One coordinator
- Customs handled in house
- UAE-wide collection

