As the operator of Global SH, I’ve seen thousands of Korean shipping labels pass through our warehouse.
And if you’re a GOM managing group orders from abroad, one of the most common issues I see is confusion about what those labels actually mean.
Where’s the recipient name? Which number is the tracking code? Why are there three barcodes?
Knowing how to read a Korean shipping label properly can save you time, prevent mix-ups, and even avoid costly reshipments.
So let me break it down for you based on what we see every single day at our logistics hub in Busan.
Let me walk you through it. Here’s everything I wish I had known when I started.
🏷️ Korean Shipping Label vs. Western Labels
Let’s get one thing straight: Korean waybills don’t follow the same structure as USPS or Royal Mail labels.
They pack a lot of info, sender, receiver, tracking number, delivery type, and sometimes even content summaries all in Korean, often in small font.
As a GOM managing international orders, this means two things:
- You need to recognize key sections quickly.
- You should verify if the parcel is yours before requesting forwarding or consolidation.
🔍 1. [받는분] – The Receiver’s Name
Focus Keyword: read Korean shipping label
This is the first thing to look for. “받는분” means “recipient.”
If you use a Korean shipping agent like Global SH, this name might be under your GOM name or your warehouse-assigned code (like “GOM1435”).
☑️ Tip: Double-check that it matches your assigned customer ID. If it doesn’t, the box might belong to someone else.
🚚 2. Tracking Number (운송장 번호)
This is usually printed in bold numbers and often duplicated across the label.
Korean couriers like CJ대한통운 (CJ Logistics), 한진택배 (Hanjin), or 로젠택배 (Logen) each have different formats, but tracking numbers are usually 12 to 14 digits long.
💡 You can input these into sites like https://www.17track.net/en for English-friendly tracking.
🏠 3. [주소] – Korean Address Format Explained
Korean addresses follow the opposite order compared to Western addresses:
📌 Example:
서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로 123, 5층 (우) 06236
It reads:
City → District → Road name + number → Floor or unit → Postal Code
As a GOM, your Korean warehouse address might be pre-filled in your orders, but when you receive a label photo (from a service like Global SH), verifying it matches your GOM address ensures safe handling.
📦 4. [상품명] or [내역] – Item Description (Sometimes!)
Not every courier includes this, but some labels show the contents especially if the seller marks it (e.g., 앨범 = album, 포카 = photocard).
⚠️ Note: Don’t rely on this for verification! For detailed content checks, request a paid verification service (like Global SH’s optional content check).
🧾 5. Barcode Sections and Courier Info
Korean shipping labels often have 2–3 barcodes. Here’s what they usually mean:
Top barcode: Main tracking ID
Bottom barcode: Internal logistics tracking (warehouse or courier use only)
Side barcode: Sometimes used for quick delivery zone scanning
You’ll also spot the courier’s name in bold (e.g., CJ대한통운) this helps when tracking delays or resolving issues.
🤔 What Should You Do with This Info as a GOM?
Here’s how I use this label knowledge every week as a GOM:
- 🔎 Quickly identify if a package belongs to me (no more asking customer service!)
- 🗂 Group similar parcels for bulk forwarding
- 📦 Avoid forwarding other GOMs’ boxes by mistake
- 🧾 Request content verification only when necessary saves money!
Honestly, knowing how to read a Korean shipping label saved me from at least 3 wrong shipments last year. And yes, Global SH even helped recover one I misidentified!
🛡️ Bonus: How Global SH Helps You Avoid Mistakes
When you use Global SH, they provide free arrival photos for every package.
You’ll see the full label clearly no guessing.
If you need to check inside? You can request a paid verification service before consolidation or shipping. That way, you’re never in the dark about what you’re sending overseas.
✉️ Final Thoughts
Shipping labels might seem minor, but for overseas GOMs, they’re your first line of defense.
Know what to look for, double-check that “받는분,” and keep your tracking numbers handy.
And trust me once you’ve learned to read a Korean shipping label, it’ll become second nature.
Happy collecting, and may your boxes always arrive safe and complete! 📦💌
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