How long delivery of a car from Korea takes
On average about three months from the first conversation to registration. That period is the sum of several separate stages, each with its own risk of delay.
Importing a car from South Korea through to registration in Bulgaria takes around three months on average. The crossing from a Korean to a European port is about 30–35 days; the rest goes on preparing the paperwork in Korea, waiting for a sailing, customs clearance and registration with the traffic police.
This article is part of the complete guide to importing cars from South Korea.
Terms in this article:De-registrationExport declaration
This is a working draft. The Korea Cars BG team is still expanding it — for your specific case, write to us and we will answer in writing.
Preparation in Korea
After confirmation and a deposit the car is purchased, deregistered, and the export paperwork is prepared. This stage takes [NUMBER] days under normal conditions.
The sea crossing
The voyage from a Korean port to a European one takes around 30–35 days. The exact time depends on the route and on how quickly the car is loaded once it is ready.
Customs and registration
Arrival is followed by customs clearance and registration with the traffic police. With the paperwork in order this stage takes [NUMBER] working days.
Where the delays appear
The most common causes are waiting for a vessel, a busy customs office in peak season, and a missing document from the seller. None of the three is solved by hurrying — they are solved by preparation.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does a car take to travel from Korea to Bulgaria?
- The sea crossing itself is around 30–35 days. The whole process from a confirmed order to registration in Bulgaria takes about three months on average, including the paperwork, customs and registration.
- What can delay the delivery?
- Most often waiting for a suitable sailing, a busy customs office in peak season, and a missing document from the seller in Korea. All three are managed with preparation beforehand, not with speed afterwards.
Have a question about a specific car?
Tell us what you are looking for and we will answer in writing — with an indicative final price and timeline.
Send an inquiry