One of the first questions every buyer asks is simple: how much does it cost to import a used car from South Korea? The honest answer is that the total landed cost is built from a few separate parts — the car price, the shipping, the export paperwork, and the import duties charged by your own country. Once you understand each part, comparing quotes becomes easy and there are no surprises when your vehicle arrives. Here is the full breakdown.
What makes up the cost of importing a Korean car
Your final, landed cost is the sum of four things:
- The vehicle price — what the car itself costs, bought from a Korean dealer auction.
- International shipping — getting the car from a Korean port to yours.
- Export handling and documents — inspection, de-registration and export certification.
- Import duties and taxes — charged by customs in your destination country.
HD Trading controls the first three. The fourth depends entirely on your local rules — but we make sure you have every document needed to clear the car smoothly.
1. The vehicle price (FOB)
Korean used cars are competitively priced because supply is high and vehicles are well maintained. We buy fresh from auctions every week, so you pay an honest export price — not an inflated showroom markup. The car price on its own, ready to load at the port, is known as the FOB (Free On Board) price.
2. Shipping: RoRo vs container
Shipping is usually the second-largest cost. RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is the most economical choice for a single running car, while a container offers more protection and lets you ship spare parts. Costs vary by destination port and vessel availability. For a full comparison, see our guide on RoRo vs container shipping.
3. Inspection and export documents
Before a car leaves Korea it must be inspected, de-registered and issued an export certificate. This modest, fixed cost covers the paperwork that makes your import legal and traceable — including the Proforma Invoice and the original Bill of Lading you receive once the car is loaded.
4. Import duties and taxes at your port
This is the part many first-time buyers forget. Every country sets its own import duty, VAT/sales tax and sometimes an age or emissions rule. These are paid to your customs authority, not to us. Always check your local rate before you buy — on some routes duty can be a large share of the total, and on others it is minimal.
FOB or CIF — which quote are you comparing?
When you compare exporters, make sure you are comparing the same thing:
- FOB — the car loaded at the Korean port. Shipping to your country is separate.
- CIF — the car plus Cost, Insurance and Freight to your destination port.
A CIF quote looks higher than a FOB quote for the same car — because it already includes the ocean freight. We are happy to quote either way so you can compare like for like.
How to keep your import cost down
- Choose the right shipping method for the car’s value — RoRo is cheaper for standard cars.
- Consider a shared container to split freight on a high-value vehicle.
- Buy a well-graded diesel — lower running costs over the car’s life.
- Ask for one all-in figure so you can budget accurately from day one.
Want a real number for a real car? Browse our current stock and message us with your destination port — we’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to import a used car from South Korea?
The landed cost is made up of the car price (FOB), international shipping, export documents, and the import duties charged by your own country. The car and shipping are competitively priced from Korea; duties depend on your destination. Tell us the car and your port and we will send a clear, itemised quote.
Is it cheaper to import a car from Korea than to buy locally?
Very often, yes. Korean used cars are well maintained and competitively priced, so even after shipping and duties the total can be lower than buying the same model locally. The saving is biggest on premium and diesel models that are expensive in your home market.
What is the difference between FOB and CIF pricing?
FOB (Free On Board) is the car loaded at the Korean port, with shipping billed separately. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) includes the ocean freight and insurance to your destination port. A CIF quote will look higher because it already covers shipping. We can quote either way.
Are import duties and taxes included in your quote?
No. Import duty and tax are set by your own country and paid to your customs authority, so they are outside our quote. We give you every document you need to clear the car, and we can tell you what to expect, but the exact rate depends on your local rules.
Can I get one all-in price delivered to my port?
Yes. Just send us the car you want and your destination port and we will provide a CIF quote covering the vehicle, export handling and shipping all the way to your port, so you can budget with confidence.
Do I have to pay the full amount upfront?
Payment is made to the HD Trading Co., Ltd corporate bank account only, after you approve the Proforma Invoice. We will explain the payment steps clearly in writing before any money changes hands, and you receive the Bill of Lading once the car is loaded.