Philippine apparel sourcing guide
Import apparel from the Philippines to South Korea
Buyers importing apparel from the Philippines to South Korea can source blank shirts and custom OEM/ODM garments directly from PHShirt. We prepare commercial documentation for the agreed Incoterm and coordinate freight from the Philippines toward Seoul and other commercial centers in South Korea. Final duties, permits, labelling, and product-safety obligations should be confirmed with a licensed broker or competent authority before shipment.
Why source apparel from the Philippines?
PHShirt combines export-ready garment production with direct access to established blank-shirt brands. Buyers can source Yalex, A2Z, Crown, Softex, and Blackhorse blanks or commission OEM/ODM runs with custom fabric, sizing, labels, printing, embroidery, and packaging.
- Flexible productionBlank-stock fulfillment and custom manufacturing from one supplier.
- Document coordinationCommercial invoice, packing list, and origin documents prepared to the agreed shipment.
- Human export supportOne sales contact from specification review through dispatch.
Shipping routes and cargo gateways to South Korea
Apparel moving from the Philippines to South Korea travels by containerized ocean freight into Busan, the country's largest container port, or into the capital region gateway of Incheon and the southern industrial gateway of Gwangyang. Air cargo flies into Incheon International Airport, and rail moves containers inland on the Korail network once a box is discharged at Busan New Port. Final routing depends on volume, Incoterm, carrier space, and the buyer's nominated forwarder.
Major international seaports (ocean container gateways)
Containerized FCL and LCL garment cargo leaves Philippine container terminals and enters South Korea at Busan, the country's largest container port and the world's second largest transshipment hub, or at the capital region gateway of Incheon and the southern industrial gateway of Gwangyang.
Philippines departure seaports
Origin ports- Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) PHDVO / PHDIC
Modern deep water container terminal in Panabo City on the Davao Gulf, in the same Davao del Norte corridor as the Hijo Industrial Estate and Special Economic Zone. Feeder services link Mindanao apparel production to the East Asian trunk services that reach South Korea.
- Port of Manila (MICT and South Harbor) PHMNL
The flagship Philippine container gateway, handling over 4.5 million TEUs a year, with the widest choice of feeder and regional services for Luzon garment factories.
- Cebu International Port (CIP) PHCEB
Central Visayas container consolidation hub linking garment plants in Mactan and the Cebu export zones with international feeder loops.
- Batangas International Port PHBTG
Alternative deep water container terminal in Southern Luzon serving the Calabarzon export manufacturing zones with expressway links that bypass Metro Manila traffic.
- Subic Bay International Container Port (NCT) PHSFS
Deep water Freeport container terminal serving Central and Northern Luzon industrial estates with dedicated highway access and streamlined customs export dispatch.
South Korea arrival seaports
Destination ports- Port of Busan (Busan New Port) KRPUS
South Korea's largest container port and the world's second largest transshipment hub, handling about 24.9 million TEU in 2025. Busan New Port has automated terminals and an on dock rail link to the national freight network.
- Incheon Port KRINC
The container gateway for the Seoul capital region and Gyeonggi Province, and South Korea's second largest container port by throughput.
- Gwangyang Port KRKAN
A southern coast gateway serving the Yeosu and Gwangyang industrial belt, with container, steel, and petrochemical traffic and rail connections inland.
Major international airports (air cargo gateways)
Air freight suits urgent season launches, pre production samples, and time sensitive restocks. Cargo departs Philippine international airports and arrives at Incheon International Airport, with Gimhae and Cheongju as alternative cargo gateways.
Philippines departure airports
Origin air cargo- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA cargo) MNL / RPLL
Primary air cargo gateway of the Philippines. Scheduled widebody freighters and passenger belly cargo connect to East Asian hubs for onward service to South Korea.
- Clark International Airport (CRK) CRK / RPLC
Central Luzon express air logistics center with integrator hubs for express courier networks and round the clock customs export processing.
- Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA cargo) CEB / RPVM
Central Visayas air cargo gateway supporting garment exporters across Cebu and the neighboring islands through East Asian transshipment connections.
- Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao cargo) DVO / RPMD
Southern Mindanao air cargo facility providing domestic bellyhold transfers that feed international flights departing from Manila.
South Korea arrival airports
Destination air hubs- Incheon International Airport ICN / RKSI
South Korea's principal international air gateway, west of Seoul, and one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, with dedicated cargo terminals and wide connections across Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Gimhae International Airport PUS / RKPK
Busan's international airport serving the south east industrial region, with cargo capacity alongside passenger operations.
- Cheongju International Airport CJJ / RKTU
Central region air cargo gateway south of Seoul, serving the Chungcheong industrial belt.
Rail cargo and intermodal corridors
On the origin side the Philippines has no through freight railway for export containers, so cartons move by truck to a loading port. On the destination side Korail container trains link Busan New Port to the Seoul capital region and other inland depots.
Philippine rail and road drayage
Origin inland leg- Road drayage to the container terminal
The Philippines has no through freight railway network for export containers, so finished cartons move by truck from the production floor to DICT, Manila, or Cebu for loading. This is the standard first leg for Mindanao apparel.
Production and consolidation can run from the Davao del Norte corridor beside the Hijo Industrial Estate and Special Economic Zone in Tagum City, next to the Hijo International Port with its 13 meter draft, two berths, cold chain infrastructure, and clean energy grid.
South Korea rail cargo network
Destination inland leg- Busan New Port to Uiwang ICD (Gyeongbu Line)
Korail container trains run the Gyeongbu Line from Busan New Port to the Uiwang Inland Container Depot and Obong station in Gyeonggi Province, about 400 km, linking the main container port to the Seoul capital region.
- Korail container network
Korail operates about 181 freight trains a day across 80 freight stations. Container traffic runs through Busan New Port, Uiwang and Obong, Gwangyang Newport, and Ulsan Newport, connecting the gateway ports with inland demand.
- Uiwang ICD and inland container depots
The Uiwang Inland Container Depot in Gyeonggi Province, opened in 1993 with a second terminal in 1997, lets import containers clear customs close to the Seoul market instead of at the quay.
Landed-cost & Trade Framework for South Korea
A reliable landed-cost estimate needs the final garment specification, quantity, packing dimensions, HS classification, Incoterm, destination, and delivery mode.
- Trade Framework
- ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA), with RCEP as a parallel preferential route
- Duty & Customs Guide
- Preferential tariff treatment can apply on the Philippines to South Korea lane under the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA) with a Certificate of Origin Form AK, or under RCEP with a Form RCEP, where the goods meet the rules of origin (commonly change in tariff heading or 40 percent regional value content). Korea's most favoured nation tariff applies where no preference is claimed. Confirm the exact tariff line with a licensed customs broker.
- Recommended Fabrics
- Medium weight 180 to 220 GSM combed cotton and cotton rich blends for year round wear, brushed fleece and CVC for the cold autumn and winter season, and moisture wicking performance knits for the humid summer.
- Destination currency
- Won (KRW)
- Freight variables
- Chargeable weight or cubic volume, fuel and security surcharges, terminal fees, brokerage, insurance, and inland delivery.
Compliance checkpoints for South Korea
These checkpoints are planning prompts, not a substitute for a binding tariff ruling or legal advice. Confirm the exact product scope before production labels and packaging are approved.
- KC product-safety requirements where the product category applies
HS classification starting points
Most apparel begins in Chapter 61 or 62. Fiber composition, knit versus woven construction, gender, garment type, and intended use determine the final tariff line.
- HS Chapter 61 - knitted or crocheted apparel
- HS Chapter 62 - woven apparel
- Confirm the 6 to 10 digit tariff line with a licensed customs broker
Documents commonly prepared
Document requirements vary by buyer, carrier, bank, customs authority, and trade arrangement.
- 01Commercial invoiceSeller, buyer, goods, values, currency, Incoterm, and payment details.
- 02Packing listCartons, quantities, sizes, net and gross weight, and dimensions.
- 03Transport documentBill of lading, sea waybill, or air waybill issued for the shipment.
- 04Supporting certificatesOrigin, testing, inspection, or preferential documents when required.
MOQ, timing, and payment
Production starts after specification, sample or artwork, price, payment, and delivery terms are approved in writing.
- Minimum order
- 50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
- Production lead time
- 3 to 6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional
- Typical payment structure
- Bank transfer; documentary collection or letter of credit may be agreed for qualified larger orders
Importing from the Philippines to South Korea: FAQ
Answers for early-stage sourcing. Your quotation will state the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.
What is the minimum order for shipping apparel to South Korea?
50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
How long does shipping from the Philippines to South Korea take?
The planning estimate for sea freight is 7 to 18 days, and air cargo is typically 1 to 3 days airport to airport. Production normally takes 3 to 6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional. Carrier schedules, customs, transshipment, and inland delivery can change the final timeline.
Which HS codes commonly apply to apparel imported into South Korea?
Knitted or crocheted apparel generally begins in HS Chapter 61, while woven apparel generally begins in Chapter 62. A licensed customs broker should confirm the final tariff line from the garment construction, fiber content, use, and destination tariff schedule.
Can PHShirt supply custom labels and packaging for South Korea?
Yes. OEM/ODM orders can include buyer-approved size labels, care labels, brand labels, hangtags, folding, polybags, and carton marks, subject to the destination's current labelling and packaging rules.
Which Incoterms can be quoted?
PHShirt can discuss common Incoterms such as EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, or CIF depending on the route and forwarder arrangement. The final quotation identifies the named place and Incoterms 2020 rule.
Which seaports, airports, and rail corridors handle apparel shipments to South Korea?
Ocean containers leave Philippine terminals such as Davao International Container Terminal (DICT), the Port of Manila, and Cebu, and enter South Korea at Busan, Incheon, or Gwangyang. Air cargo arrives at Incheon International Airport, with Gimhae and Cheongju as alternatives. From Busan New Port, Korail container trains move boxes inland on the Gyeongbu Line to the Uiwang Inland Container Depot near Seoul. A licensed broker confirms the final port, terminal, and inland routing.
Discuss a shipment to South Korea
Send your garment type, quantity, sizes, decoration method, target delivery date, and destination city.
Reference sources
- UN M49 country and region reference
- ISO 3166 country-code reference
- ISO 4217 currency reference
- WTO tariff information
- World Customs Organization Harmonized System overview
- Country Codes dataset provenance
Last reviewed: 2026-09-25. Requirements change; verify current rules before contracting freight or producing labels.