Sending a letter or package from Korea for the first time can feel more complicated than it actually is.
You walk into a Korean post office, see a few machines, forms you can’t read, and suddenly wonder, “Okay… what am I supposed to do now?”
I’ve been there.
The good news is that how to send mail in Korea is actually pretty simple once you know what the staff will ask you and which shipping option you need.
Here’s the easiest way to get through the process without standing at the counter completely confused.
What Do You Need to Say at a Korean Post Office?
If you’re sending mail or a parcel in Korea, the staff will usually need three basic pieces of information:
- Is it domestic or international?
- What’s inside the package?
- How quickly do you want it delivered?
Knowing these three things before you arrive can save you a surprising amount of time.
1. Domestic or international?
If you’re sending something to another address in Korea, say 국내 (guknae), meaning domestic.
If you’re sending something overseas, say 국제 (gukje), meaning international.
For example:
“국제예요.”
“It’s international.”
If you’re sending a package abroad, saying 국제 first helps the clerk understand immediately that you need international shipping.
2. What’s inside the package?
The clerk will ask what’s inside because international packages require a customs declaration.
A customs declaration is simply a form telling the destination country’s customs authorities what you’re sending.
You don’t need to write a complicated explanation. Basic descriptions such as these are usually enough:
- Clothes
- Books
- Snacks
- Gifts
- Personal items
However, some items require additional information or may be restricted.
Be particularly careful with:
- Batteries
- Liquids
- Food
- Cosmetics
- Medicines
- Electronics
If your Korean isn’t very strong, here’s a simple trick: write down what’s inside the package before you arrive.
Honestly, this makes the whole process much less stressful.
EMS vs. Regular Airmail: Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re sending a package internationally, the two options you’ll hear about most often are EMS and airmail (항공).
So which one should you use?
Choose EMS if speed and tracking are your priorities. Choose regular airmail if you want to save money and aren’t in a hurry.
EMS
EMS is Korea Post’s international express mail service.
For many destinations, delivery can take roughly 3–7 business days, although the actual delivery time depends on the destination country, customs, weekends, and local delivery conditions.
The price depends mainly on:
- Destination country
- Package weight
- Package size
- Type of service
As a rough example, a 1 kg package to the United States may cost around 30,000–40,000 KRW, but always check the current Korea Post rate before sending because prices and service conditions can change.
EMS is worth considering when you need something to arrive relatively quickly or want better shipment tracking.
Regular Airmail
Regular airmail is generally cheaper than EMS, sometimes substantially so.
The trade-off is speed.
Depending on the destination, it can take around one to two weeks or longer, particularly when customs processing is involved.
For something like clothes or souvenirs that you’re not desperate to receive, regular airmail can make more sense.
The important thing is to check whether tracking is available for your destination and service.
How Much Does It Cost to Send a Package From Korea?
There isn’t one fixed price for international postage.
The final cost depends on the destination, weight, dimensions, and shipping service.
As a general guide:
- EMS → faster but more expensive
- Airmail → cheaper but slower
- Registered mail → additional cost for tracking/signature features
- Larger or heavier packages → higher postage
If you’re comparing prices, don’t just look at the shipping fee.
Think about what matters more for your package:
“Do I need this there quickly?” or “Do I mainly want to keep the cost down?”
That one question usually makes the decision much easier.
Do You Need to Bring Your Own Box?
No.
This is one of those things that’s easy to worry about unnecessarily.
Most Korean post offices sell boxes, envelopes, bubble wrap, and other basic packaging materials.
So you can arrive with your items and package them at the post office if necessary.
Still, if you’re sending something fragile, I recommend preparing the package carefully beforehand. A little extra padding can save you a lot of regret later.
What should you bring?
For an international shipment, it’s useful to have:
- Your package or items
- Recipient’s full address
- Recipient’s phone number
- Your own contact information
- Passport or ARC, if requested
- A list of what’s inside the package
- Payment method
An ARC (Alien Registration Card) is the Korean identification card issued to registered foreign residents.
You may be asked for identification information when completing an international shipment, so having your passport or ARC with you is a good idea.
What If You Don’t Speak Korean?
This is probably the biggest concern for many foreign residents.
But you don’t need fluent Korean to send a package.
Before going to the counter, write down:
1. Where it’s going
2. What’s inside
3. Approximately how much it weighs
4. Whether you want EMS or regular airmail
You can even show the information on your phone.
For example:
International / USA / Clothes + Books / 1 kg / EMS
That gives the clerk most of the information they need to get started.
And honestly, don’t be embarrassed if you don’t understand every question. Korean post office staff deal with international shipments regularly.
Just take it one step at a time.
When Should You Go to the Post Office?
This is an easy detail to overlook.
Many Korean post offices operate during regular weekday business hours, and some smaller or residential-area post offices may close around 6 PM.
They are also generally closed on weekends and public holidays.
If your package is time-sensitive, don’t leave it until Friday evening and assume you’ll be able to send it over the weekend.
Check the specific branch’s operating hours before you go.
A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
If you want the entire process in one quick checklist, here’s the version to save:
Before leaving home
- Pack your items
- Write down the recipient’s address
- Prepare the recipient’s phone number
- Make a simple list of what’s inside
- Bring your passport or ARC
- Decide whether you want EMS or airmail
At the post office
Step 1: Tell the clerk whether it’s domestic or international.
Step 2: Tell them what’s inside.
Step 3: Choose the shipping method.
Step 4: Fill out the customs declaration for international shipments.
Step 5: Weigh the package and confirm the postage.
Step 6: Pay and keep your receipt/tracking number.
That’s basically it.
Once you’ve done it once, you’ll probably wonder why it seemed so intimidating in the first place.
The One Thing You Shouldn’t Forget
If you’re sending an international package from Korea for the first time, don’t focus only on the postage price.
The shipping method, customs declaration, prohibited items, tracking availability, and delivery time can all affect your experience.
And here’s the small tip that genuinely makes the process easier:
Write down the contents of your package before you walk into the post office.
Standing at the counter trying to remember exactly what’s inside while filling out a customs form is surprisingly stressful. Five minutes of preparation at home can make the entire process smoother.
If you’re new to living in Korea, mailing a package is just one of those everyday tasks that feels complicated until you’ve done it once.
After that, you’ll know exactly what to do.
And if you’re still figuring out everyday life in Korea, the next thing you’ll probably need is getting around without getting confused by the local system.
Check out my guides on using Korean convenience stores and taking a taxi in Korea next.