Does the EU have a free trade agreement with South Korea?

Yes. The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement entered into provisional application on 1 July 2011 and entered into full force in December 2015. It was one of the EU's most ambitious FTAs at the time of signing, and has eliminated duties on most goods traded between South Korea and EU member states, including Spain.

What import duties apply to goods from South Korea to Spain?

Under the EU-Korea FTA, most goods from South Korea now enter Spain at 0% import duty. The agreement phased out duties over 3 to 5 years from 2011, so the vast majority of tariff lines are now at zero. Standard EU MFN tariff rates apply to goods without valid proof of Korean origin.

What are the most common goods imported from South Korea to Spain?

The main categories imported from South Korea to Spain include electronics and consumer appliances (Samsung, LG), vehicles and automotive parts (Hyundai, Kia), industrial machinery and equipment, steel and metal products, chemicals, and ships. South Korea is one of the world's largest shipbuilders and a leading electronics manufacturer.

How long does shipping from South Korea to Spain take?

Sea freight from South Korea to Spain takes 25 to 35 days. Most shipments depart from Busan (South Korea's main container port) and route via the Suez Canal to Spanish Mediterranean or Atlantic ports. Air freight from Seoul Incheon or Busan to Madrid takes 2 to 3 days.

Do I still need customs clearance when importing from South Korea to Spain?

Yes. The FTA eliminates import duties but not customs formalities. A DUA (customs declaration) must be filed in Spain, and the EUR.1 certificate or origin declaration must be presented to claim the preferential rate. Import VAT at 21% is assessed on the customs value and is recoverable by VAT-registered businesses.

Importing from South Korea to Spain: EU-Korea FTA, Duties and Customs

South Korea and the EU have been free trade partners since 2011. It was one of the EU's most comprehensive FTAs at the time, and the transition period is long over: most goods from South Korea now enter Spain at 0% import duty. Electronics, vehicles, machinery, chemicals — the duty saving is real, but only if your supplier provides the right document.

The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement

The EU-Korea FTA entered into provisional application on 1 July 2011 — making South Korea the first Asian country to sign a comprehensive FTA with the EU. It fully entered into force in December 2015. The agreement eliminated duties on around 97% of goods traded between South Korea and EU member states over a 3 to 5 year transition period. That transition is complete: the vast majority of Korean goods now enter Spain at zero import duty.

The sectors that benefited most on the import side include electronics, vehicles and automotive parts, steel, machinery and chemicals — all major Korean export categories. Remaining exceptions are limited to a small number of sensitive agricultural products.

The FTA eliminates duties — not the customs process. Even at 0% duty, a full customs declaration (DUA) must still be filed in Spain, import VAT (21%) applies, and the origin document must be presented. Without the EUR.1 or invoice declaration, Spanish customs defaults to standard MFN tariff rates.

Origin Documentation: Declaration on Invoice

The EU-Korea FTA does not use EUR.1 movement certificates. The only valid proof of origin under this agreement is an origin declaration made directly on the commercial invoice (or another commercial document such as a delivery note) by the Korean exporter.

The declaration is a specific statement — referencing the exporter's authorisation number — confirming that the goods are of Korean preferential origin. Two rules apply depending on shipment value:

Up to €6,000 customs value — any Korean exporter can make the declaration without prior authorisation
Above €6,000 — the Korean supplier must hold approved exporter status granted by Korean customs, and must include their authorisation number in the declaration

Confirm with your supplier before the first shipment that they include this declaration on every invoice. Without it, Spanish customs will apply standard MFN tariff rates regardless of the FTA.

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What Spanish Importers Source from South Korea

Electronics and appliances — televisions, home appliances, semiconductors, displays. Samsung and LG are dominant global producers.
Vehicles and automotive parts — Hyundai and Kia manufacture significant volumes for the European market; parts and components are a major category.
Industrial machinery — manufacturing equipment, construction machinery, industrial robots.
Steel and metal products — South Korea is one of the world's largest steel producers; note that some steel categories may be subject to EU safeguard measures.
Chemicals and plastics — petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, synthetic resins.
Ships and marine equipment — South Korea is a global leader in shipbuilding.

Customs Clearance in Spain

All shipments from South Korea require a full customs declaration (DUA) at the point of entry into Spain. The origin document — EUR.1 or invoice declaration — must be submitted together with the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or airway bill. Import VAT at 21% is assessed on the customs value (CIF) and is recoverable by VAT-registered Spanish businesses in their quarterly IVA return.

Shipping from South Korea to Spain

South Korea's main container port is Busan, one of the busiest in the world. Sea freight from Busan to Spain takes 25 to 35 days, routing via the Suez Canal to Valencia, Barcelona or Algeciras. Air freight from Seoul Incheon or Gimhae (Busan) to Madrid takes 2 to 3 days.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. The EU-South Korea FTA entered into provisional application on 1 July 2011 and fully entered into force in December 2015. It was one of the EU's most comprehensive FTAs at the time of signing and has eliminated duties on around 97% of goods traded between South Korea and EU member states.

Under the EU-Korea FTA, most goods from South Korea now enter Spain at 0% import duty. The transition period concluded years ago, so the full preferential rate applies. Standard EU MFN tariff rates apply to goods without valid proof of Korean origin. Some steel products may also be subject to EU safeguard measures — check the TARIC database for your specific product.

The EU-Korea FTA does not use EUR.1 certificates. The only valid proof of origin is an origin declaration made by the Korean exporter directly on the commercial invoice. Any Korean exporter can make this declaration for shipments up to €6,000 customs value. For higher values, the supplier must hold approved exporter status and include their authorisation number in the declaration.

Electronics and consumer appliances (Samsung, LG), vehicles and automotive parts (Hyundai, Kia), industrial machinery, steel and metal products, chemicals, and ships and marine equipment. South Korea is one of the world's largest shipbuilders and a leading electronics manufacturer.

Sea freight from Busan to Spain takes 25 to 35 days via the Suez Canal to Valencia, Barcelona or Algeciras. Air freight from Seoul Incheon or Busan to Madrid takes 2 to 3 days.

Yes. The FTA eliminates import duties but not customs formalities. A DUA must be filed in Spain and the origin document must be presented. Import VAT (21%) is assessed on the customs value and is recoverable by VAT-registered businesses.