Destination file · south-korea

Buy from Switzerland,
delivered to South Korea.

An agreement that actually works, and a customs code you must supply

The EFTA–Korea agreement takes duty on originating Swiss goods to zero, and unlike some agreements it is straightforward to use. The friction here is administrative rather than fiscal: Korean customs requires a personal customs clearance code from the consignee, and without it nothing moves.

Provisional · awaiting verification

This file was reconstructed from a rendered build after the original source was lost. Rates come from the quote engine and were cross-checked against the recovered page, but the editorial detail has not been verified against primary customs sources. Treat the quote as indicative until that review is recorded here.

0%Duty on originating Swiss goods under the EFTA–Korea FTA
10%VAT on the duty-paid value
USD 150De-minimis threshold
3–5Working days from Geneva

What duty actually costs

Zero, with a declaration.

EFTA and Korea have traded under a free trade agreement since 2006, and Switzerland is a party through EFTA rather than bilaterally. Originating goods enter duty free against an origin declaration on the invoice — which we file as a matter of course.

Duty on Swiss goodsReconstructed 17 August 2026 · rates from the quote engine · awaiting verification
0%3%6%9%8%20068%20123%20180%20260%
Duty you actually payMFN rate without an origin declarationWhat the declaration is worth
  • 1 Sep 2006EFTA–Korea FTA enters into forceSwitzerland gains preferential access through EFTA membership. Tariffs on industrial goods phase down over ten years.phased
  • 2016Phase-out completesDuty on originating industrial goods of Swiss origin reaches zero, against an origin declaration.0%
  • OngoingPersonal customs clearance codeKorean customs requires a PCCC from the consignee for personal imports. Without it the parcel is held at the border.—
  • Duty is zero only against the declaration. Without an origin statement on the invoice, Korean customs applies the ordinary MFN rate, which on most consumer goods is 8%. We file the declaration on every shipment. What we cannot supply is your personal customs clearance code — that has to come from you before the parcel ships.

Sources: EFTA–Korea Free Trade Agreement, in force 1 September 2006; Korea Customs Service tariff schedule and PCCC requirements; National Tax Service VAT rates. Reconstructed 17 August 2026 and not yet verified line by line. Rates are re-checked on the morning of every purchase and confirmed before anything is charged.

Landed cost

What it actually costs to land in South Korea.

Every figure updates live. The duty basis, tax base and de-minimis rule change with the destination — that is the whole reason this page exists.

Goods, Swiss retail1 × CHF 1'649.00 incl. VAT1'649.00
Swiss VAT refunded8.1% reclaimed on export− 123.56
Net declared valuethe customs value1'525.44
Service fee8% of net · min. CHF 20122.04
Handlinginspection and extras25.00
Air freight14.8 kg chargeable · 3–5 days164.60
Import dutyEFTA–Korea FTA · 0% on originating goods with a declaration · 2.0% on CIF · HS 8516.7133.80
VAT10% on the duty-paid value including freight172.38
Total landed, DDP
Nothing owed on arrivalCHF 2'043.26≈ 3,453,111 KRW

Most requested

What people buy from Switzerland.

A market that knows Swiss goods well and prices them at a premium domestically, which is exactly the gap this service closes.

  • ✓Mechanical watchesKorean retail carries a substantial premium on Swiss references. Bought at the Swiss price with the VAT reclaimed, duty free under the agreement.
  • ✓Swiss pharmacy and dermatological linesLouis Widmer and the Swiss ranges, not distributed here, in personal quantities.
  • ✓Jura and Swiss appliances220 V at 60 Hz — close enough on voltage, but we flag the frequency difference on motorised appliances before you buy.
  • ✓Outdoor and alpine equipmentThe Swiss technical ranges, at Swiss prices.
  • ✓Victorinox, full rangeIncluding Swiss-only editions and engraving.

Restricted or refused

What we will not ship there.

We screen every request against this list before quoting. A refusal costs you nothing; a seizure costs you the goods.

  • ✕Anything without your PCCCKorean customs will not release a personal import without the consignee's personal customs clearance code. We collect it before shipping rather than letting the parcel strand at the border.
  • ✕Medicines, supplements and functional foodsMFDS registration required and a courier shipment does not qualify. Declined.
  • ✕Meat, dairy and food of animal originProhibited or licence-only for personal import.
  • ✕Multiple identical unitsTreated as commercial import, with a formal declaration and a registered importer required. We quote single units for personal import.
  • ✕Cosmetics above personal quantitiesMFDS rules apply to commercial volumes. Personal quantities are straightforward.

Transit

Geneva to your door.

All routes are tracked and insured to full replacement value. Duty and tax are prepaid by us on every service, so nothing is collected from you on arrival.

ServiceDoor to door
DHL ExpressDefault, strongest clearance3–4 days
FedEx International PriorityAlternative express routing3–5 days
UPS Worldwide SaverBusiness accounts4–5 days
Swiss Post PriorityEconomy, tracked8–14 days

Questions

Shipping to South Korea, answered.

Will I really pay zero duty?

On originating Swiss goods, yes — the EFTA–Korea agreement takes them to zero against an origin declaration, which we file on every shipment. Without it the MFN rate of around 8% applies, which is why the declaration is not optional.

What is a PCCC and do I need one?

A personal customs clearance code, issued by Korea Customs Service to individuals. It is required for personal imports and takes a few minutes to obtain online. We ask for it before shipping because a parcel without one is held at the border.

What about VAT?

10% on the duty-paid value including freight. Against that, 8.1% Swiss VAT is reclaimed on export and credited to you, so the net tax effect is small.

Does 60 Hz matter?

For electronics with a switching power supply, no. For anything with a motor or a timer — appliances, some kitchen equipment — it can affect performance. We flag it on the quote rather than leaving you to discover it.

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