UPS has unveiled the expansion of its Incheon Airport (ICN) hub that will support faster import deliveries for businesses across the Seoul Metropolitan area.
The hub has quadrupled in size to just under 6,400m2 and is equipped with a new advanced automated sorting system which is said to have increased import processing capacity by 4.5 times.
This enables import shipments from across Asia-Pacific to be cleared and out for delivery in as little as one business day, while imports from across Europe can be delivered in as little as two business days.
“Trade from Asia-Pacific and Europe to South Korea has never been stronger”, said Bobby Seo, managing director, UPS Korea. “The increased processing speed from our expanded Incheon hub means we can now deliver imports to the Seoul metropolitan area on the same day they land. That speed gives our customers a real edge, especially in fast-moving industries like high-tech and healthcare. It also helps them strengthen their supply chains with speed, agility and connectivity to capture more opportunities in global trade.”
South Korea’s import flows are driven by key industries such as electronics, machinery and transportation, with strong trade links across Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Data from Trading Economics shows that seven of the country’s top 12 import partners are from Asia-Pacific, underscoring the importance of regional trade lanes – while trade with Europe continues to grow.
The expanded hub also supports the handling of complex healthcare shipments, with temperature-controlled storage ranging from -20°C to 25°C. South Korea imported nearly US$9.7bn worth of pharmaceutical products in 2025 – much of it from key markets in Europe, UPS said.
Incheon, Korea’s largest cargo airport, serves as a key gateway for businesses in the region, with UPS operating 56 flights into and out of ICN each week, connecting Korea to UPS’s smart global logistics network.
This expansion is part of UPS’s continued investment in its Asia-Pacific network, building stronger and faster connections to support trade flows across the region.
In March this year, the company opened its largest logistics center in the Asia-Pacific region in Taiwan and broke ground on construction of its new hub at Hong Kong International Airport.
UPS said it is also scheduled to open a new hub at Clark International Airport in the Philippines later in 2026.
“Asia-Pacific is a driver of global trade growth, and we’re making targeted, long-term investments to help our customers move faster, build resilience and compete with confidence as they navigate an evolving trade landscape”, said Wilfredo Ramos, president, UPS Asia-Pacific. “Strengthening the end-to-end network our customers rely on translates into greater flexibility, faster clearance and delivery, and more dependable solutions for time- and temperature-sensitive shipments.”
Related news, DHL Global Forwarding expands Asia-Europe air freight capacity
