Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gypsymaria]

I've had several friends and family members offer to send me things from home that I can't easily find here in Korea (or if I do find them, they cost 5x more than they cost back home). Mostly non-perishable items, like maple syrup, Stovetop stuffing, some canned items, etc.

So, is it at all cost effective and/or legal to ship food overseas? Does anyone know what the rules are about sending food? Does it need to be labeled (like, if my beekeeper friend decided to send me a jar of honey, or my aunt wants to send me a homemade jar of jam)? Will Customs keep it forever and/or stick me with a huge fee? Are there specific items that really CANNOT be mailed?

Would it be smarter to wait until my boyfriend visits in the spring, and just have him load up an extra suitcase full of treats?

Any help here would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[Troglodyte]

Practically, you can send a lot of stuff in the mail. You hear all the time about people mailing all sorts of stuff without any word from customs. But occasionally they do ask you to open the package and confiscate some stuff (often food).

Your family or friends should ask at the post office what can and can't be sent in the mail. Normally liquids aren't allowed. Often animal products (even non-meat products like honey). Never-the-less people frequently DO send those things in the mail. (Cue creeper1's long holier-than-thou speech condemning people who explain how to circumvent the law.)

If you're in no hurry though, you can send stuff surface mail. It may take a month or two, but if you send in larger quantities it will be a lot cheaper than buying imported stuff here. For surface mail, postage seems to be relatively cheaper if you send one large package opposed to several small packages.

[zhanknight]

I've gotten a few batches of cookies, several boxes of Mac n Cheese, some spices and other stuff so far. Nothing in glass jars so far, but I'm tempted to ask my cousin to send me her apricot preserves.

Tell your boyfriend to load up when he comes over, though, for sure. That's the best way to get stuff en masse.

[northway]

I've gotten cheese and jam through without a problem, while having sausage stopped and sent back to the States.

[gypsymaria]

Thanks for the advice! I've been having a surprisingly difficult time finding information about Korean customs rules regarding food online.

[OiGirl]

There is no longer surface mail from the US to Korea. I've never had anything confiscated, but friends have. It seems that perhaps things mail-ordered from a company are looked at more than personal items, but those also do get opened at times. I've never had a problem bringing anything in my luggage, so that may be a good option.