The once cumbersome process for overseas e-commerce businesses to enter the Korean market has become significantly more accessible. Coupang, Korea's leading e-commerce platform, has lowered barriers for Chinese sellers by eliminating key documentation requirements.
Streamlined Coupang Registration: Translation Documents No Longer Required
In its latest policy update, Coupang has removed the requirement for English translation documents, reducing both costs and processing time for Chinese sellers seeking to establish operations in Korea. While this simplifies the initial application, sellers must still prepare five essential documents for successful registration.
Required Documentation for Coupang Registration
1. Business License: The Foundation of E-Commerce Operations
- Validity: The business license must remain valid for at least one month from the application date.
- Business Types: Coupang accepts limited liability companies and sole proprietorship trading companies. Individual business licenses currently do not meet registration requirements.
2. Legal Representative Identification: Verifying Business Ownership
- Acceptable documents include passports or national ID cards with at least three months of remaining validity.
- Passport Submission: Requires a color copy of the passport's main page and a clear self-photo of the legal representative holding the passport.
- ID Card/Driver's License Submission: Requires color copies of both sides of the document and a clear self-photo of the legal representative holding the identification.
3. Bank Account Verification: Essential for Financial Transactions
- Documentation must clearly display the bank name, address, account holder name, account number, and SWIFT code.
- Virtual Accounts: Currently limited to accounts provided by PingPong, LianLian Pay, World First, and Payoneer.
4. Mobile Service Invoice: Confirming Operational Presence
- Must provide invoices or payment records for the past six months, either under the legal representative's name or the company's name.
- For submissions under a company manager's name rather than the legal representative, additional documentation including employment verification with company seal and signature is required.
5. Cross-Border E-Commerce Platform Performance Records
- Required to demonstrate prior e-commerce experience on platforms such as AliExpress, Amazon, or Shopee.
- Documentation must show the company name matching the Coupang application and display six months of sales data (or all available data for accounts under six months old).
- Screenshots must originate from the platform's official settlement records, not third-party payment processors.
Accessing Performance Records from Major Platforms
For sellers needing guidance on obtaining required documentation from established platforms:
Shopee
Navigate to: Home > Business Analytics > Sales & Service > Sales Overview
AliExpress
Navigate to: Home > Transactions > Settlement Records > Settlement Reports
eBay
Company information: My eBay > Account > Business Info
Sales data: Seller Hub > Sales > Performance
Amazon
Sales data: Seller Central > Dashboard > Sales Dashboard
Company information: Seller Central > Account Information > Identity Information
Coupang's Position in Korea's E-Commerce Landscape
As Korea's dominant e-commerce player, Coupang offers international sellers access to a sophisticated logistics network and substantial consumer base. The platform's simplified registration process presents Chinese merchants with streamlined access to one of Asia's most developed online retail markets.
The updated requirements reflect Coupang's commitment to facilitating international seller participation while maintaining verification standards to ensure marketplace integrity.