South Korea’s logistics sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, underpinned by the strong growth of e‑commerce, rising exports of K‑goods and semiconductors, as well as increasing demand for time‑sensitive and cold‑chain logistics services.
With freight forwarding and related activities exceeding KRW45 trillion in turnover and logistics infrastructure continuing to expand, the market presents significant opportunities for Hong Kong service providers. Beyond traditional freight services, opportunities are emerging for Hong Kong firms in agency arrangements, specialised logistics solutions and digital services for South Korea’s fragmented logistics SME sector, supported by its relatively open regulatory environment.
This article will examine how well-positioned is Hong Kong in leveraging its role as a regional consolidation and distribution hub linking the Chinese Mainland, South Korea and other Asian markets.
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Retail Expansion Driving Demand for Logistics Services
Driven by the steady expansion of the retail sector, rising demand for efficient delivery services and strong growth in exports of K‑goods and semiconductors, South Korea has developed a sizeable logistics sector. The turnover of freight forwarding and other supporting transport activities in the country exceeded KRW45 trillion (about US$33 billion) in 2024, representing a 113% increase compared with 2019. This figure is projected to grow further at an average annual rate of 5.3% through 2030.
In addition, InvestKorea reports that the total floor area of logistics centres in South Korea surpassed 35 million square metres in 2023, marking a 25% year‑on‑year increase.
K‑goods, High‑value Exports and Strategic Role of Busan
Beyond e‑commerce, demand for logistics services in South Korea is also underpinned by the country’s strong export performance, particularly in K‑goods such as food, pharmaceutical products and cosmetics, driven by the global popularity of K‑culture. Exports of electronics, semiconductors and industrial goods further reinforce logistics demand. Many of these products require not only standard freight services but also reliable cold‑chain logistics solutions. Fresh and frozen food, pharmaceuticals and batteries are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations and therefore require strictly controlled temperature and humidity conditions throughout the transportation process.
While the majority of e‑commerce shipments are transported between Weihai and Incheon, most of South Korea’s high-volume exports are shipped through Busan. The Port of Busan serves not only as the country’s primary gateway for exports and imports but also as a major regional transhipment hub. Comprising a new and old port, Busan collectively handled about 25 million TEUs in 2024. According to local industry practitioners, about half of the cargo volume consisted of South Korea’s domestic imports and exports, while the remainder comprised transhipment cargo.
The new port accounts for about 70% of total throughput, while the old port handles the remainder, which are mainly regional shipments. Cargo from Japan and northern China is often consolidated in Busan to achieve economies of scale before being shipped onward to the Americas and Europe.
Does the Korean Logistics Expansion Benefit Hong Kong Businesses?
The answer is unequivocally yes. Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in facilitating trade between the Chinese Mainland and South Korea. Notably, about 83% of Hong Kong’s re‑exports of goods originating from South Korea – primarily electronics and technology products – are destined for the Chinese Mainland, amounting to approximately US$45 billion. In addition, trade flows between the Chinese Mainland and South Korea routed through Hong Kong totalled HK$382 billion in 2025, equivalent to nearly 15% of the value of direct trade between the two economies, underscoring Hong Kong’s importance as a regional trading hub.
Hong Kong also serves a critical function in overcoming regulatory constraints in certain trade flows. Due to regulatory requirements, it is relatively difficult to export batteries, which are classified as dangerous goods, making direct export from the Chinese Mainland to South Korea highly complex. Consequently, they are often first exported to Hong Kong before being re‑exported to South Korea, leveraging Hong Kong’s established handling capabilities.
In addition, Hong Kong plays an important role as a consolidation and distribution hub for semiconductors. As noted by several logistics companies in South Korea, semiconductors produced in the Chinese Mainland are often consolidated in Hong Kong before being distributed onward to factories in South Korea, other parts of the Mainland, and Southeast Asian economies such as Vietnam. While strategic shifts by Korean companies to expand production capacity in Vietnam have led to increased semiconductor exports there with relatively lower volumes shipped to South Korea, these changes in trade patterns have not undermined Hong Kong’s position as a reliable and trusted consolidation and distribution hub for high‑value semiconductor products.
Welcoming Environment for Hong Kong Logistics Businesses
The OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index suggests that storage and warehousing, as well as cargo‑handling services, are among the least restrictive service sectors in South Korea. This indicates a relatively open regulatory environment and a welcoming stance towards foreign logistics companies establishing a local presence. For Hong Kong businesses interested in exploring logistics opportunities in South Korea, there are multiple avenues for service provision and investment.
Digitalisation & E-Commerce
Demand is growing among logistics SMEs for digital and smart solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs. Examples include AI‑based alert systems that identify potential risks along transport routes, and optimisation tools that maximise cargo loading efficiency in trucks and containers. In this context, Hong Kong companies with proven digital logistics solutions are well placed to find opportunities in the South Korean market.
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