South KoreaThe moving company damaged my items. How do I claim?
You can claim compensation from the moving company under the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions and the Civil Act. You must file a claim within 3 years of damage discovery.
What the Law Says
South Korean law holds moving companies liable for damage to goods during transport, treating them as service providers bound by consumer protection and civil liability rules.
Under the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions (commonly applied to service contracts including moving), businesses must compensate consumers for damages caused by defective services. Article 19 states: 'A business operator who provides a service shall be liable for damages arising from defects in the service.'
The Civil Act also applies: Article 37 says, 'A person who causes loss or damage to another person by an unlawful act shall be liable to compensate for such loss or damage.' This includes negligence or breach of contract by the moving company.
Additionally, the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions requires businesses to respond to compensation claims within 14 days. Failure to respond may trigger administrative penalties up to ₩50 million.
Statutory TextA business operator who provides a service shall be liable for damages arising from defects in the service.
— Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions, Art. 19
Statutory TextA person who causes loss or damage to another person by an unlawful act shall be liable to compensate for such loss or damage.
— Civil Act, Art. 37
What to Do
Document all damaged items with photos, receipts, and a written report from the moving company (if provided).
Submit a written compensation claim to the moving company within 3 years of discovering the damage.
If unresolved within 14 days, file a complaint with the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) via www.kca.go.kr.
As a last resort, file a civil lawsuit at the district court where the company is headquartered.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.