Duty is not one number. It varies from zero to over thirty percent depending on what the item is made of and how it was made, and the categories people import from Korea happen to span nearly that entire range. A rough map lets you budget properly.
Low and zero rate categories
Printed books and most printed matter are commonly free. Many consumer electronics accessories carry zero or very low rates. Cosmetics and skincare generally sit at or below 2%, which is why beauty hauls rarely produce a memorable duty bill even at higher values. Musical scores, magazines and collectible printed matter also generally fall into low or free categories, which is useful for K-pop and hobby buyers.
Apparel is the expensive category
Clothing carries the highest ordinary rates in the schedule. Cotton knit tops commonly fall in the mid teens, synthetic knitwear and outerwear can reach the high twenties or low thirties, and the exact rate depends on fiber content and whether the garment is knitted or woven. A $400 clothing order can carry a duty figure that surprises people. Blended fabrics are classified by the predominant fiber by weight, so a cotton-polyester tee can land in either band depending on the exact ratio.
Footwear and bags
Footwear rates are highly specific to upper and sole material and can exceed 20%. Leather goods and bags vary widely by construction and material. These are the two categories where checking the classification before ordering pays off most. Leather and textile uppers are also treated differently, and the sole material can shift the rate by ten percentage points on otherwise identical shoes.
Collectibles, toys and hobby goods
Toys and games generally carry low or zero rates. Musical instruments are typically low. Sporting goods vary. Collectible cards and printed goods usually fall into low-rate printed matter categories, which is why album and photocard shipments rarely produce meaningful duty. Board games, model kits and figures generally sit in the low bands, which is why hobby imports rarely produce a duty bill worth worrying about.
Send us the link. We'll buy it and ship it.
No Korean card, no phone verification, no Korean address. Pay once in USD.
Start a buy-for-me order →Frequently asked
Is duty charged on the total including shipping?
The dutiable value depends on the entry type. For most personal shipments it is based on the declared goods value.
Why did my last shipment have no duty?
Low-rate categories, a preferential rate under the Korea trade agreement, or a value below the applicable threshold at the time of entry.
Does DDP shipping change the rate?
No. It changes who pays and when, not what is owed.