Amazon to Korea: Complete Direct Shipping Category List (2026)

If you’ve ever added an item to your Amazon.com cart only to see “This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location,” you’re not alone. Millions of shoppers in South Korea face this exact problem every week. The good news: Amazon’s official direct shipping program to Korea covers tens of millions of products across more than 30 categories — you just need to know where to look and what the rules are.

This guide breaks down the complete Amazon-to-Korea direct shipping category list, the customs thresholds you must know before you buy, and exactly how to place your first order without surprises at the border.

Key Takeaways

• Amazon ships to Korea through two routes: Amazon Global Store on 11st and direct Amazon.com international shipping
• The official Amazon Global Store offers tens of millions of products in 30+ categories, all priced and paid in Korean won
• Orders from the US valued under $200 USD are duty-free (US-Korea FTA benefit) — but health supplements have a lower threshold of $150
• You need a Personal Customs Clearance Code (통관고유부호) to receive packages — foreign nationals can use their passport or alien registration number
• Standard delivery takes 6–10 business days; select items ship in 4–6 business days

Two Ways Amazon Ships to Korea

Before diving into the category list, it’s important to understand that there are two distinct channels for getting Amazon products to a Korean address.

1. Amazon Global Store on 11st (Official Partnership)

In August 2021, Amazon launched its first-ever partnership with a local e-commerce platform, teaming up with South Korea’s 11st (십일번가). According to Amazon’s official press release, customers can shop directly through 11st.kr/Amazon or the 11st mobile app, paying in Korean won with Korean-language search. This is Amazon’s primary official channel for Korean consumers.

2. Direct International Shipping from Amazon.com

Amazon.com also ships a subset of its catalog directly to Korean addresses via its AmazonGlobal program. When browsing Amazon.com, items that are internationally eligible display a shipping option to South Korea at checkout. Items that cannot ship internationally show a restriction notice. Costs, eligibility, and delivery windows differ from the 11st channel.

Amazon Korea Direct Shipping: Category List

Based on Amazon’s official press materials and the Amazon Global Store launch announcement, the following product categories are available for direct shipping to Korea. Amazon describes this as “one of the largest international selections available online in the country.”

Electronics & Tech

• PCs and laptops — including accessories, peripherals, and components
• Consumer electronics — headphones, speakers, smart home devices, cameras
• Amazon devices — Kindle e-readers, Echo smart speakers, Fire tablets (official launch included up to 30% off Amazon devices)
• Smartphones and accessories — Note: smartphones carry 0% customs duty in Korea per KORUS FTA provisions

Fashion & Apparel

• Men’s and women’s clothing
• Shoes and footwear
• Bags, wallets, and accessories
• Watches and luxury items
• Sportswear and athletic gear

Customs note: Clothing imported from the US is subject to a 13% customs duty rate on top of 10% VAT when orders exceed the $200 duty-free threshold.

Home & Kitchen

• Kitchenware — cookware, small appliances, utensils
• Home décor — lighting, storage, furniture accessories
• Bedding and bath products

Books & Media

• English-language books — Amazon became Korea’s “most extensive bookstore” through the 11st partnership, with millions of titles available
• DVDs and Blu-ray
• Software
• Music CDs

Baby & Kids

• Baby products — strollers, car seats, feeding supplies
• Toys — one of the prominently featured launch categories
• Children’s clothing and shoes
• Educational materials and games

Beauty & Personal Care

• Skincare and cosmetics
• Hair care products
• Personal care items
• Fragrance and perfumes

Health & Sports

• Sports and outdoor equipment
• Fitness accessories
• Health products
• Vitamins and dietary supplements — Important: health supplements have a lower duty-free threshold of $150 (not $200). Orders above this value are subject to customs duties and VAT.

Food & Grocery

• Non-perishable food items
• Snacks and specialty foods
• Coffee, tea, and beverages

Note: Certain food items may require additional import permits from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS/식품의약품안전처). Check product-level restrictions before ordering.

Items That Cannot Ship to Korea from Amazon

Not every product on Amazon.com qualifies for international shipping to Korea. When you add a Korean address, ineligible items display the message: “This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location.”

Common categories of non-shippable or restricted items include:

• Hazardous materials — flammable goods, aerosols, lithium batteries above airline thresholds (as standalone products)
• Firearms, ammunition, and weapons — prohibited under Korean import law
• Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications — require special import permits from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
• Large or oversize items — heavy furniture and appliances are often excluded due to freight limitations
• Region-locked media — some DVDs and video games use regional encoding
• Products with ITAR restrictions — certain technology items subject to US export controls

The best way to verify a specific product’s eligibility is to enter a Korean address in your Amazon.com account and check the checkout screen directly.

Korea Customs Rules for Amazon Orders

Understanding Korean customs rules before placing a large order can save you from unexpected charges at delivery.

Duty-Free Threshold: $200 for US Shipments

South Korea applies a $200 USD duty-free threshold specifically for goods shipped from the United States, a benefit under the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). This is higher than the general de minimis threshold of $150 that applies to shipments from other countries.

What this means practically:

• Amazon.com order under $200 (shipping from US) → typically passes customs without additional charges
• Amazon order over $200 → subject to customs duty (rate varies by product category) + 10% VAT

Special Rule for Health Supplements

If your order includes dietary supplements or vitamins, the duty-free threshold drops to $150 USD, even for US-origin shipments. Orders exceeding $150 in this category will be assessed for customs duty and VAT.

Customs Duty Rates by Category

Product Category	Customs Duty Rate	VAT
Smartphones	0%	10%
Clothing / Fashion	13%	10%
Books	0%	0%
General goods (avg.)	~8%	10%

Source: momotherose.com (Korea customs experience guide, 2022) and trade.gov Korea Import Tariffs

Personal Customs Clearance Code (통관고유부호)

To receive international packages in Korea, you must provide a Personal Customs Clearance Code — a 13-digit number beginning with the letter “P.” This code links the package to your identity for customs purposes without sharing your Resident Registration Number (주민등록번호).

• Korean nationals: Apply for a code at unipass.customs.go.kr
• Foreign nationals: Use your passport number or alien registration card (외국인등록증) number — both are accepted per Amazon Korea/11st’s checkout process

When ordering via Amazon Global Store on 11st, the checkout form prompts you to enter this code before completing your purchase.

How to Order Amazon Products to Korea: Step by Step

Via Amazon Global Store on 11st (Recommended)

1. Create or log in to your 11st account at 11st.kr
2. Navigate to the Amazon Global Store section at 11st.kr/Amazon
3. Search in Korean or English — Korean-language search is supported
4. Add items to cart; prices display in Korean won (KRW) with estimated customs fees shown before payment
5. Enter your Korean delivery address and Personal Customs Code (P-number, passport, or ARC number)
6. Pay in KRW using Korean payment methods

Via Amazon.com Direct International Shipping

1. Set up a Korean delivery address in your Amazon.com account under Account & Lists → Your Account → Manage Addresses
2. When browsing, look for the “Ships to Korea” or “AmazonGlobal Eligible” badge on product pages
3. At checkout, select your Korean address — ineligible items will be flagged automatically
4. Review the itemized cost breakdown showing product price, shipping, and estimated import fees
5. Complete payment in USD (currency conversion applies if your card is KRW-based)

Shipping Costs and Delivery Times

Amazon Global Store on 11st

• Standard delivery: 6–10 business days from the US
• Expedited (select items): 4–6 business days
• Free shipping: Orders over 28,000 KRW (~$21 USD)
• SKT Universe Pass subscribers: Free shipping on all Amazon items (no minimum spend)

Amazon.com Direct International Shipping

• Delivery: At least 5–7 business days
• Cost range: Approximately $5–$10 for small items; $50–$100 for large or heavy items
• Free shipping: Not generally available for international orders

Tips to Avoid Extra Costs

• Keep orders under $200 — split large orders across separate shipments if needed to stay under the duty-free threshold
• Supplement orders under $150 — health products have a stricter threshold; a $160 supplement order could trigger customs fees
• Use the 11st channel for KRW payment — avoid currency conversion fees charged by Korean credit cards on USD purchases
• Check the estimated customs fee display on 11st — the checkout screen shows an upfront estimate before you commit to the purchase
• Apply for your Personal Customs Code in advance at unipass.customs.go.kr — having it ready prevents delivery delays

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Amazon have a website in Korea?

Amazon does not operate a standalone Korean-language Amazon.co.kr marketplace. Instead, Amazon’s official Korean channel operates through a partnership with 11st at 11st.kr/Amazon, launched in August 2021. Korean shoppers can also order directly from Amazon.com using AmazonGlobal shipping.

How many products can Amazon ship to Korea?

Amazon’s official press release states that the Amazon Global Store on 11st offers tens of millions of products across more than 30 categories. Direct shipping from Amazon.com covers a narrower selection — exact eligibility depends on the individual product.

Do I need to pay customs duties for Amazon orders to Korea?

Orders shipped from the US valued under $200 USD are generally duty-free under KORUS FTA. Orders over $200 are subject to Korean customs duties (rate varies by category) plus 10% VAT. Health supplements have a lower threshold of $150.

What is the Personal Customs Clearance Code?

It’s a 13-digit number starting with “P” that Korean customs requires to process international packages. Korean nationals can register at unipass.customs.go.kr. Foreign nationals in Korea can use their passport number or alien registration card number instead.

Can I use Amazon Prime benefits for shipping to Korea?

Amazon Prime free shipping benefits generally do not apply to international orders. For the 11st channel, SKT’s Universe Pass subscription (starting at 4,900 KRW/month) offers free shipping on all Amazon Global Store items regardless of order value.

How long does Amazon take to ship to Korea?

Via Amazon Global Store on 11st: 6–10 business days standard, or 4–6 business days for select items. Via Amazon.com direct international shipping: at least 5–7 business days.

Conclusion

Amazon’s direct shipping to Korea is more comprehensive than many shoppers realize. The official Amazon Global Store on 11st gives Korean consumers access to tens of millions of US products — from electronics and fashion to books and kitchen goods — paid in Korean won with upfront customs fee estimates. The key to smooth ordering: know the $200 duty-free limit (or $150 for supplements), register your Personal Customs Clearance Code before your first order, and check individual product eligibility at checkout.

Need help formatting your Korean delivery address for international orders? Use Jusome’s free Korean address converter to get your address in the correct format for Amazon.com checkout.

Sources / 참고 자료

• Amazon Official Press Release: Amazon and 11st Launch New Amazon Global Store in Korea — product categories, shipping times, free shipping threshold, SKT Universe Pass details
• The Korea Herald: Amazon Global Store launches in Korea — customs clearance fee thresholds ($200/$150), Personal Customs Code requirement, KRW pricing
• KED Global: Amazon Global Store shakes up S.Korea’s e-commerce scene — additional category details including food, health products, sportswear
• momotherose.com: Korean Customs Experience Guide — duty-free thresholds, VAT rates, clothing duty rate, customs code application process
• Korea Customs Service UniPass (unipass.customs.go.kr) — official portal for Personal Customs Clearance Code registration
• U.S. Department of Commerce / trade.gov: South Korea Import Tariffs — KORUS FTA duty rates and tariff schedule

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Before you check out, one note on payment: if your card is issued in Korea, Amazon bills in US dollars and your bank usually adds a currency-conversion fee on top — the same fee flagged in the tips above. A lot of cross-border shoppers open a Wise account to hold and spend US dollars at the real mid-market exchange rate and skip that markup.