Korean Used Car Export Packing List: Complete Document Guide for International Buyers (2026)

A korean used car export packing list is an exporter-issued document that itemizes each vehicle in a shipment with VIN, model year, gross and net weights, exterior dimensions, and container or RoRo booking reference. It accompanies the Commercial Invoice and Bill of Lading and is matched against both at destination customs. A compliant Korean used car export packing list contains 14 mandatory fields and must show identical VIN, weights, and shipment details as the corresponding B/L — even a 50-kg discrepancy can trigger customs hold at Mombasa, Lagos, or Jebel Ali. Unlike the Commercial Invoice, the packing list lists no prices — only physical contents.

Whether you're a first-time importer in Almaty receiving a single Hyundai Tucson on RoRo, a Lagos dealer clearing four cars in one 40ft High-Cube container, or a Dubai fleet operator consolidating twelve units, the korean used car export packing list determines whether your cargo clears customs in 48 hours or sits in demurrage for two weeks. Browse our verified Hyundai inventory for live FOB references and unit-level dimension data, or request a sample packing list from SH GLOBAL to see exactly what KITA-registered exporters produce.

Live Hyundai units at SH GLOBAL — explore models with verified VIN & dimensions

What Is a Korean Used Car Export Packing List? Anatomy of the Document

A korean used car export packing list (often called simply "packing list" or "P/L") is a structured document issued by the Korean exporter that describes the physical contents of an export shipment — every vehicle, its identifying numbers, weights, and dimensions. It is one of the four core export documents Korean Customs Service expects to accompany every used vehicle leaving the country, alongside the Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, and Certificate of Origin.

The packing list serves three customs functions:

1. Cargo verification — destination customs cross-checks the packing list against what physically arrives. Mismatched VINs trigger inspection.
2. Duty assessment support — while the Commercial Invoice drives valuation, the packing list confirms vehicle counts, container loads, and gross weights used for port handling fees.
3. Compliance audit trail — for buyers under SONCAP (Nigeria), KEBS (Kenya), TBS (Tanzania), SABER (Saudi Arabia), or Russian SBKTS, the packing list is part of the certificate-of-conformity submission.

A correctly structured Korean used car export packing list is vehicle-specific by VIN, shipment-specific by booking number, and shipping-mode specific (different layouts for RoRo, FCL, and LCL). It is generated by the exporter after the export declaration (수출신고) clears Korea Customs Service and before the vessel sails — typically 3–5 days before estimated time of departure (ETD).

For the document family that surrounds the packing list — what the Commercial Invoice covers vs the Bill of Lading vs the Certificate of Origin — see our complete export documents guide as the foundational reference.

The 14 Mandatory Fields on a Korean Used Car Export Packing List

A complete korean used car export packing list contains the following 14 fields. Missing any of them is grounds to refuse acceptance and request a re-issue from the exporter — usually free of charge if requested before vessel departure.

1. Packing list number and issue date — sequential reference matching the Commercial Invoice number, dated within 5 days of vessel ETD.
2. Exporter (shipper) full details — company legal name, Business Registration Number (사업자등록번호), Korean address, contact email and phone.
3. Consignee full details — buyer's legal name, full address, country, and Tax ID/TIN where applicable (mandatory for Nigeria, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Russia).
4. Notify party — typically the buyer's customs broker; can be identical to consignee for direct buyers.
5. Port of loading — Pyeongtaek, Masan, Incheon, Busan, or Ulsan, named explicitly.
6. Port of discharge / final destination — Jebel Ali, Mombasa, Lagos Tin Can, Dar es Salaam, Vladivostok, etc.
7. Vessel name and voyage number — e.g., "GLOVIS COURAGE V.044N".
8. B/L number reference — Master B/L or House B/L number from the shipping line.
9. Container number and seal number (FCL only) — e.g., "TRHU 4567890 / SEAL 0123456" — or "RoRo, no container" for roll-on/roll-off shipments.
10. Vehicle line items — for each vehicle: VIN (17 chars), make, model, model year, exterior color, mileage, engine number.
11. Net weight per vehicle (kg) — manufacturer curb weight from the original specification.
12. Gross weight per vehicle (kg) — curb weight + lashing/blocking materials (typically curb +30–50 kg).
13. Dimensions per vehicle (L × W × H, cm) — exterior length, width, and height as registered.
14. Total shipment summary — total number of units, total gross weight, total volume in CBM (cubic meters).

For the corresponding fields on the Commercial Invoice and how prices map across documents, see our Korean used car export invoice guide. For B/L cross-reference fields, our Bill of Lading complete guide walks through the 16 fields a B/L must contain.

Packing List vs Commercial Invoice vs Bill of Lading — Three Documents, One Shipment

These three documents are the export trinity. They share many fields but serve distinct customs purposes. Understanding how they differ is essential for verifying your shipment before payment release.

The three documents are presented together at destination customs, and they must match exactly on shared fields: VIN, gross weight, container number, port pairs, vessel/voyage. If the B/L shows 1,520 kg gross but the packing list shows 1,470 kg, customs will hold the cargo for physical re-weighing — costing $80–$200 in handling fees plus 1–3 days demurrage.

The export workflow is sequential: Export Declaration (수출신고) → Commercial Invoice + Packing List issued → B/L issued at vessel sailing → All three sent to buyer and broker → Customs clearance at destination.

RoRo vs FCL Container Packing List Differences

The packing list layout differs based on shipping mode. Korean used cars ship via two methods — Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) or Full Container Load (FCL) — and each generates a structurally different packing list.

RoRo Packing List

RoRo (or "PCTC" — Pure Car & Truck Carrier) is the dominant mode for single-vehicle shipments to GCC, Africa, and Russia. The vehicle is driven onto the vessel and lashed to the deck. The packing list for RoRo is typically one or two pages with these characteristics:

• One vehicle per page (or one row per vehicle if multiple to the same consignee on the same booking)
• No container number — instead lists "RORO" or "Stowage Position"
• Lashing materials weight included in gross weight (typically 30–40 kg per vehicle)
• Volume in CBM is informational only (RoRo charges by lane meter, not volume)

For RoRo shipping mechanics — vessels, schedules, ports of loading, and how the packing list integrates with the RoRo bill of lading — see our Korean used car RoRo shipping guide.

FCL (Container) Packing List

FCL — typically a 40-foot High-Cube container — is the mode of choice for fleet buyers and routes where RoRo is unavailable (parts of West Africa, landlocked Central Asia routes via Vladivostok). The packing list for FCL is more complex:

• 1–4 vehicles per container depending on size:
  • 4× compact sedans (Hyundai Accent, Kia Morning, Kia Cerato)
  • 3× compact SUVs (Tucson, Sportage, Seltos, Kona)
  • 2× mid-size SUVs (Sorento, Santa Fe, Palisade) or 2× sedans + 1 compact
  • 1× commercial van or full-size SUV (Starex, Carnival, Mohave, GV80)
• Container number AND seal number both required
• Container tare weight added to total gross (typically 3,800–3,950 kg for 40HC)
• Total volume in CBM matters — overpacking causes lashing concerns and may trigger re-stuffing fees
• Loading order noted (Vehicle 1 = bow-loaded first, last to discharge)

For container loading mechanics — how cars are positioned, lashed, and what risks 4-car loads carry — see our Korean used car container shipping guide.

Weights, Dimensions & Volume — Why Customs Cares About Each Number

Of the 14 mandatory fields, weight and dimension data triggers the most customs holds and disputes. Here's what each value drives.

Net Weight

The manufacturer curb weight from original Korean homologation. For a 2022 Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI 2WD, this is 1,545 kg. For a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi AWD, 1,840 kg. Net weight rarely changes per unit because it's tied to the vehicle's original specification — but customs uses it to validate that the VIN matches the make/model declared on the Commercial Invoice. A "Sorento" entered with 1,200 kg net weight is obviously mislabeled.

Gross Weight

Net weight + lashing materials + accessories. For RoRo, gross is typically curb +30–40 kg (chains, wedges). For FCL, gross is curb +50–80 kg per vehicle (chains, wood blocking, container lashing rings). The total gross weight at the bottom of the packing list must equal the gross weight on the B/L within ±50 kg, or ports like Mombasa, Lagos, and Vladivostok will request re-weighing.

Dimensions (L × W × H)

External overall length, width, and height in centimeters. For mid-size SUVs that approach container ceiling height (typically 2,690 mm internal for 40HC), height is critical — a Kia Mohave at 1,815 mm fits comfortably; a roof-rack-equipped Palisade at 1,820+ mm may need rack removal before container loading.

Volume (CBM)

Cubic meters = (L × W × H) ÷ 1,000,000 (when L, W, H in cm). For a 2022 Tucson at 4,630 × 1,865 × 1,665 mm, individual CBM is approximately 14.4. Total shipment CBM matters for FCL planning (40HC has 76.4 CBM internal, but practical car loading caps at ~58 CBM due to lashing space) and for some destination ports that levy volume-based dock fees.

How to Verify Your Korean Used Car Packing List in 6 Steps

Receiving a packing list is not the same as accepting one. Here's the structured 6-step verification you should run within 24 hours of receipt and before you wire any final balance.

Step 1 — Cross-Check VIN Against Commercial Invoice

The 17-character VIN on the packing list must match the Commercial Invoice character-for-character. Common typo errors substitute "0" for "O", "1" for "I", or transpose digits. A single-character VIN mismatch is enough for KEBS, SONCAP, or ZATCA to detain the shipment until proven identical.

Step 2 — Validate Weights Against Manufacturer Specs

Look up the manufacturer curb weight (Hyundai/Kia spec sheets are published online for every model/trim/year). The net weight on your packing list should match within ±10 kg. The gross should be 30–80 kg above net for normal lashing. If gross is more than 100 kg above net, ask why — sometimes the answer is legitimate (extra spare wheel, roof box), sometimes it's a padded value.

Step 3 — Confirm Container Number / RoRo Mode

For FCL, verify the container number (4 letters + 7 digits + check digit) on the shipping line's track-and-trace tool — it should appear in the line's vessel manifest 48–72 hours before sailing. For RoRo, confirm the vessel name and voyage number on the carrier's schedule (Hyundai Glovis, Eukor, EAS publish routes weekly).

Step 4 — Match Against the Bill of Lading

Once the B/L is issued (typically 1–3 days post-ETD), compare every shared field: VIN, gross weight, container/seal, port pairs, consignee, notify, vessel/voyage. Any discrepancy needs correction at the source — you'll lose hours at destination customs over a single mismatched character.

Step 5 — Verify Consignee & Notify Party Details

This is where buyers most often lose money. A misspelled consignee name on the packing list can prevent cargo release at destination — ports like Lagos Tin Can are notorious for refusing release on minor name discrepancies, requiring a $200–$500 amendment fee plus 3–5 days demurrage.

Step 6 — Request Corrections Promptly

If you find errors, email the exporter with the document attached and corrections highlighted. Pre-departure corrections are usually free. Post-departure corrections require shipping line approval and a $75–$200 amendment fee. Post-arrival corrections may force re-inspection or, in worst cases, customs seizure.

For the broader buyer-protection framework around documents, contracts, and dispute paths, see our Korean used car buyer protection guide.

Common Errors & Red Flags on Korean Car Packing Lists

Across thousands of buyer-side reviews, these are the recurring packing list issues. Use this list as your in-flight checklist when reviewing.

Red Flag 1: VIN Doesn't Match Commercial Invoice

Even single-character mismatches. Tells customs the documents weren't generated from a single export filing.

Red Flag 2: Gross Weight Identical to Net Weight

Means lashing materials weren't accounted for. Either the exporter is unprofessional or the document was copy-pasted without inspection.

Red Flag 3: No Container/Seal Number on FCL Shipment

Cannot proceed to customs without container info. Fixable but indicates exporter hasn't completed shipping line booking.

Red Flag 4: Multiple VINs Listed With Identical Weights

Three Hyundai Tucsons all at exactly 1,545 kg net is suspicious — even same-year same-trim units differ by a few kg due to options, fluid levels, and accessories. Identical weights suggest auto-fill rather than measured values.

Red Flag 5: Notify Party Field Blank

For routes requiring customs broker engagement (Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Russia), missing notify party can delay release by days. Always populated, even if same as consignee.

Red Flag 6: Port of Loading Doesn't Match Source Region

If your exporter sources from the Greater Seoul wholesale market but the packing list shows Masan as port of loading — verify. Most northern-Korea-sourced cars depart from Pyeongtaek or Incheon; Masan and Busan are typical for southern-region vehicles. Mismatches can indicate the load got transferred to a third party. For port routing logic, see our Korean used car export ports guide.

Red Flag 7: Document Lacks Korean Business Registration Number

Legitimate Korean exporters always print their 사업자등록번호 (10 digits) on the packing list footer. Missing is a soft red flag — the document may be drafted by a non-licensed broker rather than a registered exporter. Verification framework lives in our legitimate Korean car exporter guide.

Red Flag 8: PDF Metadata Shows Different Author Than Exporter

Right-click the PDF → Properties → Author. If the listed author is "John Smith" or a personal name unrelated to the exporting company, the document may have been generated outside an authorized accounting system. This pairs with our broader scam prevention guide.

Sample Packing List Walkthrough — Real 2022 Hyundai Tucson FCL

Below is a structurally accurate sample of what a compliant Korean used car export packing list looks like for a single 2022 Hyundai Tucson NX4 shipped FCL from Busan to Mombasa, Kenya.

Note that the sample packing list shows no prices — that is correct. Prices live exclusively on the Commercial Invoice. The packing list answers "what is in the shipment" while the CI answers "what is it worth."

For the matching CI walkthrough on the same shipment, our Korean used car export invoice guide shows what the corresponding 14-field commercial invoice looks like. For the matching B/L, see our Korean used car Bill of Lading guide.

Regional Packing List Requirements: Africa, GCC, Central Asia

Beyond the 14 mandatory fields, certain destination markets impose additional packing list requirements driven by local conformity assessment programs.

Africa: SONCAP, KEBS, TBS, GSA

Nigerian SONCAP, Kenyan KEBS PVoC, Tanzanian TBS PVoC, Ghanaian GSA, and Ugandan UNBS all cross-reference the packing list against the certificate of conformity issued in Korea. The packing list must include:

• VIN exactly as it appears on the CoC
• Engine number (mandatory for SONCAP)
• Year of manufacture (not just year of registration)

For destination-specific compliance (KEBS, SONCAP, TBS), see our pre-shipment inspection guide and the broader Africa export guide. For Africa-region buyer trust framework, our reliable Korean car exporter for Africa guide covers verification specifics.

GCC: SABER, GSO, ESMA

Saudi Arabia SABER (via SASO), GCC GSO conformity, UAE ESMA, and Qatar QGOSM may request the packing list for vehicle classification verification. Specific GCC requirements:

• 5-year age limit (Saudi Arabia, Oman): manufacture year on packing list cross-checked against today's date
• Vehicle weight category drives Customs Tariff (HS 8703 vs HS 8704) — packing list net weight is the data point
• Right-hand drive vehicles cannot enter GCC; some packing lists explicitly note "LHD" to pre-empt port disputes

Central Asia: EAEU, Russian SBKTS

For Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia (EAEU members), the packing list must show:

• Engine number (required for SBKTS / OTTC certification)
• Vehicle category (M1 passenger, N1 light commercial)
• Year of manufacture in YYYY format

For Vladivostok rail-route specifics, see our Central Asia export guide. For Russian utilization fee (utilsbor) interactions with the packing list weight, our Russia import guide covers the calculation.

Document Series Cross-Reference

Across all destinations, the packing list works in concert with these other documents — none is optional:

• Export documents overview (master list)
• Commercial Invoice (price & valuation)
• Bill of Lading (carrier receipt & title)
• Certificate of Origin (FTA & KCCI)
• Customs clearance (destination process)