Episode 21 – Shipping items abroad

Pedro: Congratulations on getting your first paycheck, Huong.

Huong: Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you guys. You've helped me settle in Korea so much.

Jessie: So what will do with your first paycheck?

Huong: I want to send to my parents gifts that represent Korea. But I've never shipped anything internationally from Korea. What can I do?

Su-hyeon: Don't worry. We'll help you.

Pedro: That's right. I've sent parcels and mail abroad since living in Korea, so I can definitely help.

Pedro: I recommend sending stuff through EMS (Express Mail Service). It's international express shipping offered by the Korea Post that's safe and fast.

Su-hyeon: Wow, Pedro, you know a lot about this.

Jessie: How do you use it?

Pedro: First, check which countries EMS delivers to. The relevant link is https://www.epost.go.kr/main/eng/Enpost_Introduction1.html. If the country you want to ship to doesn't use EMS, you can also see if it uses EMS Premium.

Su-hyeon: That's right. EMS ships to 31 countries and EMS Premium to another 182, or a total of 213 countries.

Huong: Oh, I see. What should I remember when sending a package?

Pedro: Just make sure that the country you're sending something to hasn't banned anything in your package. Prohibited items include explosives, combustibles, sprays and shampoo, as well as decomposable foods such as kimchi, medicinal herbs and perishable foods like gochujang (spicy red pepper paste). You also cannot send Korean currency, not even KRW 1,000.

Su-hyeon: If your package has prohibited items even if you didn't know they were banned, inspectors will prevent them from being loaded on a plane and send them back to you.

Jessie: I knew weapons and drugs were prohibited, but not these items. This is all news to me.

Huong: OK, so what about price? International shipping sounds expensive.

Su-hyeon: That depends on the weight and the country you're shipping to. I just looked it up. A 5kg parcel to Vietnam costs about KRW 31,000 to ship and delivery takes three to four days. The EMS website has all the details (https://ems.epost.go.kr/front.EmsDeliveryDelivery09.postal?langtype=en). Just input the item, destination and weight, and the site tells you the shipping cost and the estimated shipping time.

Huong: Great. I was worried because I didn't know anything about overseas shipping from Korea but thanks to all of you, I now know what to do at the post office.

Pedro: One more thing. EMS also lets you track your delivery. I've used this site often. (https://ems.epost.go.kr/front.Tracking01Eng.postal). I can track a package I sent.

Jessie: Excellent, that makes me feel so much better about sending a package.

Su-hyeon: Now all you have to do is find gifts for your family.

Huong: Yeah, I think I must consider weight to an extent (laughs).

Pedro: We all want to see what you get your family, so can we go shopping with you?

Huong: Sure, you're all welcome. 

Written by Kim Yong Deok
Translated by Lee Jihae
Illustrated by Yuhaill
kyd1991@korea.kr