Flat 3,000 Won Per Shipment, Online Applications Mandated
Applied Retroactively to Deliveries From January
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will significantly overhaul and implement the "Freight Rate Support for Daily Logistics in Island Regions" program starting this year to reduce parcel delivery costs for island residents. The overall system has been revised, including simplifying the application process and expanding eligibility to include delivery fees paid on behalf of residents by their children and others.
On February 25, the ministry announced that it had prepared these improvements to ease the daily logistics costs of island residents, who have been bearing higher additional delivery charges than those on the mainland.
Until now, only parcels for which island residents paid the delivery fee directly were eligible for support, so items purchased online and paid for by their children or acquaintances were not covered. There was also inconvenience in that multiple supporting documents, such as the waybill and payment receipt, had to be submitted in order to receive support for the additional delivery fee.
From this year, the application documents will be greatly simplified. Previously, applicants had to submit two types of documents: proof of parcel use (a copy of the waybill or record of completed parcel service use) and a payment receipt for the additional delivery fee. Going forward, applications can be made with only proof of parcel use. The support amount will also be unified from a choice between reimbursement of the actual additional delivery cost or 3,000 won per shipment, to a flat 3,000 won per shipment. The ministry expects this to reduce the burden on residents when applying and also lower administrative processing costs for local governments.
The scope of eligibility will also be expanded. Previously, support was provided only for additional delivery fees paid directly by island residents, but starting this year, support will be available even if children or acquaintances pay on their behalf, as long as the sender's or recipient's address is confirmed to be in an island area. As a result, parcel delivery fee support will also become available in cases where elderly island residents, who have difficulty making online purchases, receive deliveries with the help of their children.
In addition, to resolve the inconvenience of applicants having to visit community service centers in person, local governments will be required to establish and operate online application channels. As children and others living on the mainland will be able to apply online for parcel delivery fee support on behalf of island residents, the execution rate of the program is also expected to increase.
These improvements will be applied retroactively to parcel delivery fees incurred from January 2026. Detailed matters such as the annual support limit per person and the application period will be announced separately by each local government.
Kim Hyejeong, Director General of Shipping and Logistics at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "We have improved the system so that realistic cases, where children or acquaintances pay on behalf of elderly island residents, can also receive support," adding, "We will continue to closely examine the inconveniences faced by island residents and work to substantially improve their living conditions."
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