Guide · LIV · 101
Customs code (PCCC) for overseas orders
The 개인통관고유부호 you need for AliExpress, Temu, iHerb and Amazon, and how to get it with or without an ARC.
In short
- A PCCC (Personal Customs Clearance Code, 개인통관고유부호) is a code starting with P that you enter at checkout when ordering from overseas. Customs uses it instead of an ID number.
- Online: free and instant on UNI-PASS, but you need to pass Korean ID verification (usually a phone in your own name, plus an ARC).
- No ARC or no bank account? Go to any customs office (세관) with your passport. It's issued at the counter in minutes, for free.
- New in 2026: codes now expire after one year and must be renewed.
If you've tried to order from AliExpress, Temu, iHerb or Amazon and hit a field asking for a "personal customs code," this is it. You only need it for goods shipped into Korea from abroad. Ordinary domestic orders on Coupang, Naver Shopping or Gmarket don't ask for one.
Do you need one?
| Where you're buying | PCCC needed? |
|---|---|
| AliExpress, Temu, iHerb, Amazon, Taobao | Yes. Overseas sellers ship through Korean customs. |
| Coupang "로켓직구" / global items | Yes. These are shipped from abroad. |
| Regular Coupang, Naver Shopping, Gmarket, 11st | No. Domestic orders don't go through customs. |
Option 1: online via UNI-PASS (fastest)
- Go to UNI-PASS (unipass.customs.go.kr), the Korea Customs Service portal, and find 개인통관고유부호 발급 (PCCC issuance).
- Verify your identity. Options include a mobile phone registered in your own name, a digital certificate (공동인증서 / 금융인증서), or simple-auth apps such as Kakao, Naver or PASS.
- Enter your name in English, phone number and address, then submit. The code shows up immediately.
Option 2: in person at any customs office
- Where: any customs office (세관) with a civil-service counter. You don't need to go to Seoul Main Customs. Search 세관 on Naver Map for the closest one.
- Bring: your passport (or ARC) and the Korean phone number you want registered.
- Cost and time: free, and usually done in a few minutes.
- When: weekdays during office hours. Check the office's hours before you go.
This is the reliable route for new arrivals without an ARC, exchange students, and anyone without a Korean bank account.
The 2026 rules: renew every year
- One-year validity: a code issued in 2026 or later is valid for one year from the issue date. Codes issued before 2026 expire on your birthday in 2027.
- Renew within 30 days before or after the expiry date, on UNI-PASS or at a customs office. A code that isn't renewed is cancelled, and you'll need a new one.
- Details must match: since February 2026, customs checks your name, phone number and delivery postal code against what's registered. If you move or change numbers, update your UNI-PASS details, or parcels can be held.
Keep it safe
Your PCCC is personal. Don't share it in group chats or let others use it for their orders. Their purchases count against your duty-free limit, and misuse can get the code suspended. If you think it has leaked, check your clearance history on UNI-PASS and reissue the code. The old number is cancelled automatically.
Common questions
Can I get a PCCC with just a passport?
Yes, in person at a customs office. Online issuance usually needs Korean phone verification, which is hard without an ARC.
Do I need a Korean bank account?
No. The bank account only comes up for some online verification apps. At a customs counter you don't need one.
Will I pay duty on my orders?
Small personal-use orders under the duty-free limit (around US$150, or US$200 for items shipped from the US) usually clear without tax. Above that, duty and VAT apply. Multiple parcels arriving on the same day can be added together, so check current Korea Customs rules for large orders.
I lost my code. What now?
Look it up again on UNI-PASS after verification, or ask at a customs office. If you suspect misuse, reissue it.
Sources: Korea Customs Service (UNI-PASS) guidance and 2025–2026 reporting on the PCCC renewal and verification changes.
Last verified: October 2026. Verification options and limits can change. Check UNI-PASS or a customs office for the current rules. General information, not legal advice.
Stuck getting your code?
Ask people who've done it recently. Post in the community and tag it Living.