Korean Air Cargo tracking

What is Korean Air Cargo?

Korean Air Cargo is the dedicated freight division of Korean Air, South Korea's national flag carrier and largest airline. Operating as an integral part of the airline rather than a separate legal entity, the cargo division has built its operations over more than five decades around a mixed fleet of dedicated freighters and the belly cargo capacity of passenger aircraft. The division runs 23 freighters and 131 passenger aircraft, reaching over 120 cities in 43 countries from its primary hub at Incheon International Airport near Seoul.

The history of Korean Air traces back to June 1962, when the South Korean government established Korean Air Lines as a state-owned carrier serving domestic and limited international routes with a modest fleet. The decisive turning point came on March 1, 1969, when the Hanjin Group, a South Korean industrial conglomerate with established logistics interests, acquired the airline from the government. At the time of acquisition, the carrier operated just eight aircraft, including a single McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and several propeller-era planes. Under Hanjin management, the airline was renamed Korean Air and reoriented toward commercial growth in both passenger and cargo operations.

Cargo operations were formally launched on April 26, 1971, with the inauguration of the first trans-Pacific cargo service from Seoul, via Tokyo, to Los Angeles, making Korean Air the first South Korean carrier to establish a scheduled freight route to the Americas. The Boeing 747 was introduced in 1973, substantially increasing cargo lift capacity on long-haul routes. By 1981, Korean Air had opened its own cargo terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, marking the company's first permanent logistics foothold in the United States. The 1990s brought expansion at roughly 20 percent per year in cargo volume, driven by South Korean exports in electronics, semiconductors, and automotive parts. A major recent development was the completion of Korean Air's acquisition of Asiana Airlines in December 2024, a transaction valued at approximately 1.8 trillion won, with Asiana's cargo division sold to Air Incheon as a regulatory condition of the merger.

• Founded: Korean Air Lines established June 1962 as a state-owned carrier; acquired by Hanjin Group and relaunched as Korean Air on March 1, 1969; cargo operations formally launched April 26, 1971
• Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea; cargo operations centered at Incheon International Airport (ICN)
• Parent company: Hanjin Group, a South Korean industrial conglomerate with broad transportation and logistics interests
• IATA airline designator: KE
• AWB prefix: 180 (all Korean Air Cargo air waybill numbers begin with "180-")
• Alliance membership: SkyTeam Cargo, founding member since September 28, 2000
• Freighter fleet: Boeing 747-8F, Boeing 747-400ERF, and Boeing 777F, totaling 23 freighters; Boeing 777-8F next-generation freighters on order as of August 2025
• Top ranking: Ranked No. 1 in international cargo transportation by IATA for six consecutive years, from 2004 to 2009
• Asiana merger: Completed December 12, 2024; Asiana's cargo division sold to Air Incheon as a condition of regulatory approval

In terms of market standing, Korean Air Cargo held the top position in international cargo transportation as ranked by the International Air Transport Association from 2004 to 2009, a six-year consecutive period that reflects the scale of its freight operations. The division is consistently cited among the top three cargo airlines in the world by freight tonne-kilometers. Its membership in SkyTeam Cargo, of which it is a founding member, extends its reach through interline partnerships with other freight carriers in the alliance network.

Which countries does Korean Air Cargo deliver to?

Korean Air Cargo operates a scheduled freight network spanning more than 120 destinations in 43 countries, structured around its primary hub at Incheon International Airport in Seoul. Incheon functions as the central gateway for freight moving between South Korea and the rest of the world. The domestic network extends to Gimpo Airport serving Seoul's secondary aviation market Busan's Gimhae International Airport, and Jeju International Airport, all of which Korean Air Cargo self-handles with ground operations built up over more than 40 years.

In the Americas, the division maintains dedicated cargo terminal facilities at Los Angeles International Airport, capable of simultaneously accommodating two Boeing 747 freighters, and at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, a gateway that opened in December 2000 following substantial capital investment. The North American network extends further to Chicago O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. Canadian and South American destinations are also served within the scheduled network, providing coverage across the western hemisphere for freight moving to and from South Korea.

Across Asia, Korean Air Cargo covers destinations throughout Northeast Asia, including Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The carrier opened its Tokyo-Narita cargo terminal in January 1985 and its Osaka-Kansai terminal in September 1994, giving it direct handling presence in two of Japan's busiest air freight markets. Southeast Asia represents a significant segment of the regional network, with service to Vietnam, Thailand Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. European coverage links South Korea with major freight hubs including Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, and London, and the network rounds out with Australia as the primary Oceania destination.

• South Korea (domestic): Incheon (ICN), Gimpo (GMP), Busan Gimhae (PUS), and Jeju (CJU)
• Northeast Asia: Japan (Tokyo-Narita, Osaka-Kansai), China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
• Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Thailand Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines
• Middle East: Multiple destinations served via scheduled flights
• Europe: Germany (Frankfurt), Netherlands (Amsterdam), France (Paris), United Kingdom (London), and other continental gateways
• North America: United States (Los Angeles, New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth), Canada
• South America: Select destinations within the scheduled network
• Oceania: Australia

For most major trade lanes in its network, Korean Air Cargo can route shipments on direct or single-connection itineraries, which reduces transit time compared to multi-stop routings. The company operates its own cargo terminals at key international gateways in the United States and Japan rather than relying entirely on third-party handling agents, giving it direct control over cargo reception, storage, and loading at these locations.

What are the Korean Air Cargo services and delivery times?

Korean Air Cargo structures its product portfolio into four broad categories, Express services, General cargo, Customized service, and a suite of Specialized products. Each category targets a specific type of freight or shipper requirement, and the Specialized products are broken down into sub-tiers based on temperature requirements, cargo value, physical dimensions, or commodity type. The carrier also operates a worldwide charter service and provides ground handling to other airlines at its Korean airport locations.

Under the Money-Back Guarantee, shippers receive a 50 percent refund on freight charges for a single offload or misconnection event, and a 100 percent refund if offload or misconnection occurs more than once, up to a maximum of $5,000. The Express product is designed for urgent, small-sized cargo requiring transport on the first available flight after acceptance. The acceptance cutoff is 90 minutes before departure, and cargo is available for pickup within 90 minutes of arrival at the destination airport. Express Heavy extends the same guaranteed-loading principle to larger freight, with capacity allocated up to 500 kg on passenger aircraft and up to 1,000 kg on freighter aircraft per booking, using both a cutoff and a ready-for-delivery window of 180 minutes.

The General service covers standard airport-to-airport shipments not falling within the Express or Specialized categories. On the main trans-Pacific routes from Seoul to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or Dallas, air freight transit typically ranges from 2 to 5 business days. Intra-Asian routes covering destinations such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, or Singapore are generally overnight to 2 days. European routes from Incheon to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Paris typically take 2 to 4 days of air transit. The Customized service is a premium bespoke product designed for clients with recurring, high-volume requirements who need agreed routes, contracted flight capacity, VIP priority coding, and a dedicated monitoring desk managed by a Special Care Service team.

• Express: Guaranteed first available flight loading for small urgent cargo; 90-minute pre-departure acceptance cutoff; 90-minute post-arrival pickup window; Money-Back Guarantee up to $5,000; per-piece weight limit of 32 kg and 100 kg total per Master AWB
• Express Heavy: Guaranteed loading for cargo up to 500 kg on passenger aircraft or 1,000 kg on freighters; 180-minute cutoff and ready-for-delivery window; same Money-Back Guarantee structure
• General: Standard airport-to-airport service; 2 to 5 days trans-Pacific, overnight to 2 days intra-Asia, 2 to 4 days to Europe
• Customized: Reserved capacity on contracted flights, VIP priority handling, and a dedicated Special Care Service desk for monitoring and risk management
• FRESH (FR1, FR2, FR3): Perishable cargo with three temperature tiers; FR1 uses active containers maintaining -20°C to 20°C for up to 72 hours and is ready for delivery within 3 hours of arrival; FR2 for refrigerated products such as salmon, lobster, strawberries, and flowers; FR3 for room-temperature perishables including vegetables, king crabs, and shrimps
• PHARMA (PH1, PH2, PH3): Pharmaceutical freight with tiered temperature control; PH1 uses E-type containers maintaining 0°C to 20°C for up to 100 hours, suited for vaccines and laboratory reagents; PH2 uses T-type containers at -20°C to 20°C for up to 72 hours, suited for hormone therapies and insulin; PH3 uses passive packaging with dry ice or gel packs
• SAFE (SF1, SF2): SF1 covers high-value items such as gold bullion, platinum, jewelry, and expensive artwork, with small valuables eligible for transport in the cockpit under flight crew supervision; SF2 covers sensitive equipment such as semiconductors and medical devices
• LIVE (AV1, AV2, AV3): AV1 for companion animals, AV2 for livestock, AV3 for aquatic organisms; dogs and cats must be at least 6 months old for U.S. travel and at least 3 months for other routes, with microchip implantation and valid rabies certification required
• DGR (DG1, DG2, DG3): All nine IATA hazard classes handled; DG1 for Class 1 and 7 materials and cargo-aircraft-only items; DG2 for all other dangerous goods; DG3 for dry ice and certain engine types
• BIG: Oversized industrial cargo exceeding 25,0 kg per piece, or over 698 cm on one side with a minimum of 1,500 kg; dedicated Elevated Transfer Vehicle equipment accommodates 20-foot pallets; typical cargo includes aircraft engines and drilling equipment
• WHEELS: Vehicle transport for cars, motorcycles, and electric bicycles using 20-foot pallets, straps, and chocks, with standardized Car Check List inspections at departure, transit, and destination
• Charter: Ad hoc worldwide cargo charter flights for shipments that cannot be accommodated on scheduled services; advance experts dispatched to destination cities to coordinate with airport staff and ground handling agents
• Ground Handling: Full ramp and cargo handling at ICN, GMP, PUS, and CJU airports; aircraft types handled include B777F, B747F, B748F, AN124, and IL76F; clients include China Airlines, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Delta, Japan Airlines, and Thai Airways

Korean Air Cargo operates as a B2B airport-to-airport freight carrier rather than a consumer parcel courier. Transit times quoted by the carrier reflect airport acceptance to airport availability, and door-to-door timing depends on the freight forwarder or logistics provider the shipper contracts separately for pickup and final delivery to the consignee.

What are the Korean Air Cargo rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Korean Air Cargo prices shipments using the chargeable weight model standard to the air freight industry. Under this model, the applicable rate is charged against whichever is greater, the actual gross weight of the shipment, or the volumetric weight calculated by dividing the shipment's total volume in cubic centimeters by a standard divisor. This means that bulky, low-density cargo is priced in proportion to the aircraft space it occupies, rather than receiving a lower rate based on actual weight alone.

For the Express product, each individual piece is capped at 32 kg, and the total chargeable weight per Master Air Waybill cannot exceed 100 kg. The combined dimensions of a single piece, measured as length plus width plus height, must not exceed 228 cm, which is equivalent to 229 cm. These constraints make Express appropriate for documents, samples, and compact high-priority parcels rather than bulky industrial freight. Express Heavy lifts these restrictions considerably, providing guaranteed capacity up to 500 kg on passenger aircraft and up to 1,000 kg on freighter aircraft per booking.

• Pricing model: Chargeable weight, the greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight
• Express weight limit: Maximum 32 kg per piece and 100 kg total per Master AWB
• Express dimension limit: Combined length plus width plus height not exceeding 228 cm (229 cm) per piece
• Express Heavy capacity: Up to 500 kg on passenger flights and up to 1,000 kg on freighter flights per booking
• BIG service eligibility: Shipments exceeding 25,0 kg per piece, or over 698 cm on one side with a minimum weight of 1,500 kg per piece
• LIVE chargeable weight: Calculated as the greater of actual or volumetric weight, including both the animal's weight and the cage or container weight
• Default liability cap: 26 SDR per kilogram under Korean Air's General Conditions of Carriage
• Declared value option: Shippers may declare a higher value and pay a valuation charge of 0.75 percent of the amount exceeding the 26 SDR per kilogram threshold
• Surcharges: Fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and special handling fees apply and are published through the Air Cargo Tariff tool on the carrier's booking platform

Specific rate quotes are obtained through Korean Air Cargo's sales representatives or freight forwarder channels, as rates vary by route, season, commodity type, and applicable surcharges at the time of booking. Rate information is not publicly listed as a flat schedule but is available through direct inquiry or the carrier's online tariff tool.

What are the Korean Air Cargo delivery options?

Korean Air Cargo's fundamental service model is airport-to-airport freight. Shipments move from an origin cargo terminal to a destination cargo terminal, where the consignee or their designated freight forwarder is responsible for collecting the cargo. The carrier does not offer residential delivery, postal locker pickup, or neighborhood collection points. This model is standard for wholesale air freight operations and positions Korean Air Cargo squarely as a B2B service provider working with freight forwarders, logistics companies, and commercial importers rather than individual consumers.

At the destination airport, consignees collect cargo at the terminal under the terms set out in the Air Waybill. For Express shipments, cargo is available for pickup within 90 minutes of flight arrival. For FRESH 1 and SAFE 1 products, the guaranteed ready-for-delivery window is 3 hours after arrival, reflecting the time-critical nature of temperature-controlled and high-value freight. If a consignee refuses to accept delivery or cannot be reached, Korean Air Cargo may, after providing 30 days' notice, return the shipment to origin or arrange for its disposal, with all resulting freight, storage, and handling costs charged back to the shipper.

• Service model: Airport-to-airport; cargo collected by the consignee or their freight forwarder at the destination cargo terminal
• Express pickup window: Cargo available within 90 minutes of flight arrival at destination
• FRESH 1 and SAFE 1 window: Ready for delivery within 3 hours of flight arrival
• Express acceptance cutoff: 90 minutes before scheduled flight departure
• Express Heavy acceptance cutoff: 180 minutes before scheduled flight departure
• Non-collection policy: After 30 days' notice, the carrier may return or dispose of uncollected cargo at the shipper's expense
• Self-handling airports: Incheon (ICN), Gimpo (GMP), Busan Gimhae (PUS), and Jeju (CJU)
• U.S. cargo terminals: Dedicated facilities at Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York

Acceptance cutoff times for General and Specialized cargo vary by route and flight schedule and are published in the weekly schedule tool on the carrier's booking platform. Freight forwarders managing the shipment are responsible for meeting these deadlines at the origin terminal, as cargo presented after the cutoff will not be loaded on the intended departure.

What should I do if my Korean Air Cargo parcel is lost or damaged?

Korean Air Cargo operates a formal claims process for shippers and consignees dealing with damaged, delayed, or lost freight. Claims may be submitted in writing by registered mail, fax, or email to the relevant Korean Air Cargo office at origin or destination, through the online claim portal on the carrier's website, or through a dedicated cargo claims portal for Korean Air shipments. The filing deadlines for claims are strictly defined and must be respected to preserve the right to compensation.

For damaged or partially lost cargo, written notice must be filed within 14 days from the date the consignment is received. For delays, the notice period extends to 21 days from the date the cargo is placed at the disposal of the person entitled to delivery. In cases of total loss or non-delivery, the claim must be filed within 120 days from the date of Air Waybill issuance. All other claims must be submitted within 270 days of AWB issuance. Any legal action must be initiated within 2 years of the actual or expected arrival at the destination airport.

• Damage or partial loss: Written notice within 14 days of receipt of the consignment
• Delay: Written notice within 21 days from the date cargo was placed at the consignee's disposal
• Total loss or non-delivery: Claim within 120 days of Air Waybill issuance
• All other claims: Within 270 days of Air Waybill issuance
• Legal proceedings: Must be initiated within 2 years of actual or expected arrival
• Required documents: Master Air Waybill copy, House Air Waybill, Cargo Inspection Report or Damage Slip, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and supporting evidence such as photographs, survey reports, destruction certificates, or repair bills
• Default liability: 22 SDR per kilogram under the Montreal Convention where no value has been declared
• Declared value compensation: Limited to actual damages up to the declared amount; valuation charge of 0.75 percent applies above the 26 SDR per kilogram threshold
• Money-Back Guarantee (Express and Express Heavy): 50 percent refund of freight charges for a single offload or misconnection; 100 percent refund for more than one occurrence; maximum refund of $5,000

Korean Air Cargo does not accept liability for inherent cargo defects, natural deterioration of perishable goods, consequential damages, or losses resulting from the shipper's failure to comply with applicable laws or packaging standards. If the shipper or consignee contributed to the damage or loss through their own negligence, this can reduce or eliminate the carrier's liability accordingly. Customer support is available through local Korean Air Cargo sales offices worldwide and through a Voice of Customer feedback portal on the carrier's platform.

Does Korean Air Cargo handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Korean Air Cargo is by nature an international freight carrier, with the bulk of its traffic crossing international borders across its 43-country network. The carrier's General Conditions of Carriage place full responsibility on the shipper for complying with all applicable laws and regulations of every country whose airspace the shipment passes through, as well as the countries of origin and destination. Shippers must supply all required export and import licenses, customs declarations, certificates of origin, and any other documentation required by relevant authorities, and they guarantee the accuracy of all information provided on the Air Waybill.

For shipments bound for the United States, Canada, Indonesia, and select Indian cities, Korean Air Cargo requires the electronic transmission of cargo manifests before the aircraft arrives at the destination, a pre-arrival reporting obligation imposed by those countries' customs authorities. The carrier provides automated support for Automated Manifest System and Air Cargo Advance Screening transmissions, enabling freight forwarders to meet these requirements through Korean Air's systems. For cargo entering the European Union, the carrier also supports compliance with the EU Import Control System, which requires advance electronic safety and security data about inbound freight to be filed before loading.

• Shipper responsibility: Full compliance with applicable laws in origin, transit, and destination countries; accuracy of all information on the Air Waybill
• Pre-arrival reporting: Electronic manifest transmission required before arrival for U.S., Canadian, Indonesian, and select Indian destinations
• EU Import Control System: Advance electronic safety and security data required for EU-bound cargo
• Trade sanctions: Strict compliance with UN, EU, and U.S. sanctions regimes enforced; Korean Air reserves the right to refuse non-compliant cargo
• Duties and taxes: Default carriage terms are DDU/DAP; the consignee is responsible for import duties; the carrier may advance duties in certain cases, with reimbursement subsequently billed to the shipper
• South Korea import threshold: Shipments with a total customs value not exceeding $150, including shipping costs, are exempt from customs duties and VAT for personal-use imports with an import declaration
• Prohibited items (South Korea inbound): CITES-protected wildlife products including ivory and tiger pelts; health supplements with banned ingredients or exceeding six bottles per shipment; publications violating South Korea's constitutional order; and dangerous goods lacking proper IATA-compliant documentation and packaging
• e-AWB program: Paperless air cargo transactions supported through Electronic Data Interchange for freight forwarders who have signed IATA's Multilateral e-AWB Agreement and completed EDI quality testing with Korean Air's systems

Korean Air Cargo enforces compliance with trade sanctions from major international jurisdictions, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States, and shippers are explicitly required to observe these requirements as a condition of carriage. Loose lithium batteries such as standalone power banks are generally restricted from air cargo carriage under international air safety standards and are among the categories the carrier will not accept without proper packaging and documentation.

Understanding tracking statuses

Korean Air Cargo tracks shipments using the Air Waybill number assigned at booking. Every AWB number begins with the prefix 180, followed by eight additional digits, for a total of 11 digits. This prefix is Korean Air's IATA-assigned airline code and is recognized by all major air cargo tracking systems globally. Tracking is available through the e-Tracking service on the carrier's platform, where entering the full AWB number retrieves real-time status updates from departure through delivery. Third-party tracking aggregators including also support Korean Air Cargo AWB numbers using the 180 prefix.

Korean Air Cargo additionally accepts approved GPS trackers attached to shipments to transmit live location and condition data during transport. A maximum of two GPS trackers are permitted per Master AWB, and all approved devices must meet FAA radio frequency standards per RTCA/DO-160 and pass UN38.3 lithium battery testing. When you follow a Korean Air Cargo shipment through the e-Tracking system, the following status events appear at key stages of the journey.