Ordering Custom Parts from Korea: Shipping, Lead Time, and Customs — What to Expect

You found a Korean manufacturer with great specs and pricing. But then the questions start — how long does shipping actually take? What about customs? Can I even pay in USD?

Creallo is a Korea-based on-demand manufacturer that produces custom parts — through 3D printing, vacuum casting, CNC machining, and sheet metal fabrication — for engineers worldwide.

Here's a straightforward breakdown of what to expect when ordering custom parts from Creallo.

Lead Time: From Order to Delivery

Lead time isn't one number — it depends on your process and your destination. Your total timeline has two parts: production time (how long we take to make the parts) plus shipping time (transit to your door).

Here's the full picture:

*See estimated transit times by region below.

Lead times are calculated from the date of order confirmation and DFM approval, not from the moment you submit your files.

You don't have to estimate any of this yourself. For instant-quote orders, Creallo shows the exact production time for your order (for example, “By 3 days”) along with an estimated delivery date range before you check out — so the timeline is on screen before you commit. After ordering, you can follow progress through six timestamped stages on the Creallo platform (see Tracking your shipment below).

If you're in a hurry: For 3D-printed parts produced at our in-house factory in Korea, expedited service offers as fast as next-day dispatch (parts leave the factory the next business day — international transit still applies). Expedited manufacturing may be available depending on order complexity and current capacity. Contact us before placing your order to check availability. 

Shipping: How Parts Get from Creallo to Your Door

Creallo ships internationally via major express carriers  — primarily DHL and FedEx. These carriers offer reliable transit times and end-to-end tracking from our facility in Korea to your address.

*Transit times reflect standard express shipping. Remote areas or locations with customs delays may add 1–3 business days.

Prefer your own carrier? On request, Creallo can ship via a carrier you nominate. Send us your carrier account number (for example, your own DHL or FedEx account) and we’ll ship on your account, with freight billed to you and collected at destination. Just arrange this with our sales team when you place your order.

Tracking your shipment

Once your order is placed, you can follow its full progress directly on the Creallo platform — no need to wait for a shipping email. Click the icon at the top of the homepage → Manage My Order → Delivery Tracking. Your order moves through six timestamped stages:

Once your parts hand off to the carrier, you'll also receive a tracking number by email. Enter it on the DHL or FedEx website to monitor the international leg in real time.

Customs & Import Duties

Cross-border shipping means customs — and it's worth understanding the basics before your first order.

What about HS codes?

An HS (Harmonized System) code classifies goods for customs so authorities can apply the right duties and taxes. For individual component parts — most plastic and metal parts, which is what Creallo produces — a standard HS code applies, and we assign it on your export documents. HS classification matters more for finished products than for components, so for typical part orders it’s rarely something you need to manage. If your shipment needs a specific classification, we can coordinate that with you.

*Import duties and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer unless otherwise agreed. Rates vary by product type, declared value, and country of destination. We recommend consulting your local customs authority or freight forwarder for a precise estimate.

DAP vs. DDP — what's the difference?

For instant-quote orders, Creallo ships on DAP (Delivered at Place) terms. Under DAP, the buyer is the importer of record and handle all customs clearance on the destination side. In practice:

• Creallo and the carrier handle export from Korea and international freight to your address.
• You are responsible for all import-side customs — clearance, duties, taxes, and any brokerage or clearance fees in your country.

Creallo does not offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms, so import costs are never prepaid or bundled into your order total. Budget for duties and taxes separately. For custom-quote orders (e.g., CNC or volume) — or if you ship on your own carrier account — shipping terms are coordinated with our team.

Payment: Yes, You Can Pay in USD

International buyers can pay in USD. Creallo accepts the following payment methods:

•       PayPal

•       Wire transfer (T/T)

Invoicing: A commercial invoice is issued for every order and included with your shipment for customs purposes.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong

Quality issues are rare, but it's worth knowing what to do if they occur.

• If you receive defective or incorrect parts

Contact us within 7 days of receiving your order with clear photos and a description of the issue. Our team will review the case and, if the defect is confirmed to be a manufacturing error, arrange for a re-manufacture at no additional cost.

• Re-manufacture process

Once a quality issue is confirmed, your re-manufacture is treated as top priority — new parts are produced and shipped ahead of standard orders to get correct parts to you as fast as possible.

• English-language support

Yes — Creallo's customer team communicates in English. You can reach us by email at suppor@creallo.com or through the inquiry form on our website. Response times are typically within 24 hours.

Ready to Order?

Upload your design files to creallo.com for a quote. If you have questions before placing an order, reach out to our team — we're happy to walk you through the process.

• New to Creallo? Our FAQ walks you through how it works and the services we offer >>