Destination guide
Shipping Heavy Equipment to South Korea
In 2025 the United States reported exporting 415 machines worth $54.3 million to South Korea in the 15 classes we track, down 19% on 2024. None of the carrier schedules we track lists a direct call in South Korea, so we confirm the routing with each quote. RoRo service: Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, regular from the West Coast. Duty and VAT on a $100,000 CIF excavator come to $10,000, or 10% of its value.
The four ways to ship machinery to South Korea
Container, flat rack, RoRo and breakbulk, with where each one lands. RoRo availability is by U.S. coast; the other three are booked on the services that run when the cargo is ready.
| Method | From the U.S. | Where it lands, and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Direct sailings published | Published services: Hapag-Lloyd Gemini transpacific services[4]. Container ports: Port of Busan, Port of Incheon. |
| Flat rack | Booked on request | For machines too wide or tall for a closed box, on container lines that accept out-of-gauge cargo. Discharge at Port of Busan, Port of Incheon, subject to the terminal taking flat racks. |
| RoRo | Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, regular from the West Coast | RoRo ports: Port of Busan, Port of Incheon. Carriers call these routes on their schedules[3]; we confirm the next sailing at booking. |
| Breakbulk | Liner breakbulk or charter | For cargo too large or heavy for a flat rack, loaded by ship or shore crane. Breakbulk and heavy-lift ports: Port of Busan, Port of Incheon. |
Published sailings to South Korea
One carrier service in our trade lane guides calls in South Korea. Each row links to the carrier schedule it was read from; transit is from the U.S. load port to the port named.
| Carrier and service | Method | Loads in the U.S. | Calls here, with published transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hapag-Lloyd[4]Gemini transpacific services | Container | Los Angeles, Oakland |
|
What the U.S. ships to South Korea
U.S. exports to South Korea by machine class, 2025 against 2024, as reported by the United States to UN Comtrade[1]. Units are as declared; the average is customs value divided by units.
| Machine class | Units 2025 | Units 2024 | Change in units | Value 2025 | Average per unit[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel generator sets | 164 | 209 | −22% | $37.7 million | $230 thousand |
| Wheel loaders | 77 | 113 | −32% | $5.28 million | $68.5 thousand |
| Crushers | 19 | 12 | +58% | $2.95 million | $155 thousand |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 61 | 92 | −34% | $2.56 million | $41.9 thousand |
| Wheeled tractors | 51 | 54 | −6% | $2.46 million | $48.2 thousand |
| Crawler tractors | 27 | 12 | +125% | $2.21 million | $81.9 thousand |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 5 | 4 | +25% | $532 thousand | $106 thousand |
| Crawler and rough-terrain cranes | 7 | 1 | +600% | $359 thousand | $51.3 thousand |
| Self-propelled drill rigs | 2 | 1 | +100% | $252 thousand | $126 thousand |
| Excavators | 1 | 3 | −67% | $11.4 thousand | $11.4 thousand |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 1 | 2 | −50% | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Motor graders | 0 | 7 | – | $0 | – |
A dash means the quantity was not reported for that year. Classes the U.S. did not ship here in either year are left out.
Import duty on machinery in South Korea
The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty applied to each machine class, as a simple average of the national tariff lines under its HS subheading[2]. Preferential rates under trade agreements can be lower.
| Machine class | HS subheading | MFN applied duty | Range across lines | Tariff year[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excavators | 8429.52 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheel loaders | 8429.51 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler dozers | 8429.11 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Motor graders | 8429.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 8429.59 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler and rough-terrain cranes | 8426.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 8427.20 | 8% | – | 2023 |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 8704.10 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheeled tractors | 8701.93 | 6% | 0–8% | 2023 |
| Crawler tractors | 8701.30 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Combine harvesters | 8433.51 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Self-propelled drill rigs | 8430.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crushers | 8474.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Diesel generator sets | 8502.13 | 2% | 0–8% | 2023 |
| Truck-mounted cranes | 8705.10 | 8% | – | 2023 |
The range shows the lowest and highest line within the subheading; a dash means every line has the same rate.
Worked example: a $100,000 excavator
Import duty: 0% of $100,000 CIF is $0 (HS 8429.52, 2023 tariff)[2].
VAT: 10% of the duty-inclusive $100,000 is $10,000 (Korea Customs Service, checked June 2026)
Total duty and tax: $10,000, or 10% of CIF.
- Excise, port charges, broker fees and any registration tax are extra. The final rate depends on the exact tariff line your broker declares.
Vehicles and other taxes
Under the KORUS free-trade agreement, US-origin vehicles enter at 0% customs duty with a valid certificate of origin (otherwise 8%). On top sit an individual consumption tax (5% under 2,000cc), a 30% education surtax on that, and 10% VAT, applied cumulatively. Left-hand-drive only.
Source: Korea Customs Service (KORUS FTA), checked June 2026.
- Import duty: 0% (US origin under KORUS with CoO; 8% otherwise)
- VAT: 10%
- Other charges: Individual consumption tax 5% (≤2,000cc) + 30% education surtax; ~7% acquisition tax on registration
- Age limits: No fixed age limit, but left-hand-drive only and the vehicle must pass KOTSA safety and NIER emissions inspections to register.
Documents for South Korea
The papers a machinery shipment to South Korea usually needs at destination. Your consignee and their customs broker confirm the list for the exact cargo.
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- Equipment Specifications
- Import Declaration
- KC Certification (if required)
U.S. export rules
What every shipment from the U.S. has to clear before it sails, whatever the destination.
- Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau
Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[6][7]
Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle
- Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.[8][9][7]
Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks
- ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS
Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[10]
Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage
- Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)
An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.[11][12][13]
Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations
Clearance notes for South Korea
- Provide a KORUS certificate of origin to claim 0% duty — it also lowers the consumption-tax and VAT base.
- Busan is the main gateway; emissions and safety inspections are required.
Questions buyers ask
How much heavy equipment does the U.S. ship to South Korea?
U.S. exporters reported 415 machines worth $54.3 million to South Korea in 2025 across 15 machine classes, down 19% on 2024. The largest class by value was diesel generator sets, at $37.7 million. Figures are U.S. export declarations reported to UN Comtrade.
How long does shipping from the U.S. to South Korea take?
None of the carrier schedules we track lists a direct call in South Korea. Cargo moves on container lines, usually through a transshipment hub, or on a RoRo or breakbulk sailing to Port of Busan; we confirm the current routing and transit with each quote.
Can I ship machinery to South Korea by RoRo?
RoRo service: Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, regular from the West Coast. RoRo suits machines that drive or tow on board. Ports that take RoRo cargo: Port of Busan, Port of Incheon. Where RoRo does not run, machines ship on flat racks or as breakbulk.
What duty and VAT apply to a used excavator in South Korea?
The MFN duty on excavators averages 0% of CIF, and VAT is 10% on the duty-inclusive value. On a $100,000 CIF excavator that comes to $10,000 before excise, port and broker charges.
Which documents do I need to ship to South Korea?
A shipment to South Korea usually needs: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, Equipment Specifications, Import Declaration, KC Certification (if required). From the U.S., the export filing (EEI) goes in before loading, and titled machines need their title at the port 72 hours before export.
Export checklist (PDF)
A one-page checklist with the facts on this page for shipping South Korea: methods, duty, rules and documents. Give it to your customs broker.
Download the checklistSources
Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.
- [1]World Bank WITS, UN Comtrade: exports reported by the United States, checked October 18, 2026
- [2]UNCTAD TRAINS via World Bank WITS: MFN applied tariff, checked October 18, 2026
- [3]Höegh Autoliners, Main trade routes (Annual Report 2023), checked October 18, 2026
- [4]Hapag-Lloyd, Revised WC5 westbound rotation (July 2026), checked October 18, 2026
- [5]Hapag-Lloyd, East-West Service Network (September 2026), checked October 18, 2026
- [6]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
- [7]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
- [8]eCFR, 19 CFR 192.1 Definitions (used self-propelled vehicles), checked October 18, 2026
- [9]U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Exporting used self-propelled vehicles, checked October 18, 2026
- [10]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026
- [11]eCFR, 15 CFR 734.3 Items subject to the EAR (EAR99), checked October 18, 2026
- [12]eCFR, 15 CFR 738.4 Determining whether a license is required, checked October 18, 2026
- [13]eCFR, 15 CFR 732.3 Steps regarding the ten general prohibitions, checked October 18, 2026
Send us the machine and the destination
Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.