International Freight Forwarding Registration in Korea — Complete 2026 Guide

1. What Is International Freight Forwarding?

International freight forwarding (국제물류주선업) refers to the business of arranging the transportation of cargo across international borders on behalf of shippers, under Article 43 of the Framework Act on Logistics Policy. The forwarding company acts in its own name and account, handling collection, transport, warehousing, packaging, and customs clearance.

Without a valid registration, it is virtually impossible to contract with major shippers for cross-border shipments. Foreign-invested companies operating in Korea are eligible under the same conditions as domestic firms.

2. Who Needs This Registration?

Any company — domestic or foreign-invested — that intends to arrange international cargo transportation by air, sea, or land in Korea must obtain this registration. This includes companies that handle customs brokerage in conjunction with transport services.

3. Key Requirements

• Paid-in Capital: KRW 300 million or more
• Surety Bond / Insurance: KRW 100 million or more
• Office Space: A dedicated office

4. Required Documents

• Corporate registry extract (for legal entities)
• Business plan
• Proof of capital (bank balance certificate)
• Surety bond certificate copy
• Office lease agreement
• Representative's ID copy
• Business registration certificate copy

5. Registration Procedure

1. Pre-consultation and eligibility review
2. Document preparation (surety bond, corporate setup if needed)
3. Submission to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
4. Receipt of registration certificate (approx. 10–20 business days)

6. Timeline and Fees

Once all documents are in order, processing takes approximately 10–20 business days. There is no government application fee; main costs include the annual surety bond premium (approx. KRW 300,000–500,000) and administrative scrivener fees.

7. Post-Registration Obligations

• Maintain and renew the surety bond annually
• Report changes within 30 days (representative, trade name, address)
• Submit annual cargo handling performance report

8. Special Notes for Foreign Companies

Foreign-invested companies (FICs) may register under the same requirements. Capital remitted from abroad and recorded as paid-in capital qualifies. Foreign representatives may be required to submit a criminal background check issued in their home country — confirm with the relevant Regional Land Management Office before filing.