Does Delivery Work on January 1st in Korea?
2026 New Year’s Day Parcel Schedule Explained
If you are wondering does delivery work on January 1st in Korea, you are not alone.
- “Does delivery work on January 1st in Korea?”
- “My package tracking hasn’t moved — is it lost?”
- “It’s a weekday. Why isn’t my delivery coming?”
This confusion happens every single year, especially for foreigners who are still getting used to Korean public holidays.
The short answer is simple:
👉 Most deliveries in Korea stop on January 1st.
👉 A delay on New Year’s Day is usually normal, not a problem.
Let’s break it down clearly.
What Is January 1st in Korea? (2026 Guide)
January 1st is New Year’s Day (Sinjeong) and is a national public holiday in South Korea.
Government offices, schools, and many companies are closed, even though it falls on a weekday in some years.
In 2026, January 1st is a Thursday, and the year is known in the traditional lunar calendar as
Byeong-O Year (병오년) — the Year of the Red Horse.
In Korean culture, the horse symbolizes:
- movement
- change
- speed
- new beginnings
Because of this, many people search for:
- “2026 Korean zodiac”
- “Year of the Horse meaning”
- “Good ways to start the new year in Korea”
- “New Year traditions in Korea”
It’s a day that feels active and fresh —
but logistics and delivery systems still follow holiday rules, not daily life rhythms.
That’s why delivery confusion happens.
So… Does Delivery Work on January 1st in Korea?
For most cases, no.
Here is how it usually works:
- ❌ No home delivery on January 1st
- ❌ No parcel pickup (collection)
- ⭕ Tracking may appear frozen — this is normal
Even though January 1st may feel like a normal weekday,
most delivery drivers and logistics staff are on holiday.
What If My Package Was Shipped on December 31st?
This is why many foreigners ask whether does delivery work on January 1st in Korea every year.
- 📦 Shipped on December 31
→ Usually delivered on January 2 or January 3 - 📦 Ordered late on December 31
→ Delivery may take 1–2 extra days
This delay is caused by:
- holiday closures
- high year-end parcel volume
- limited customer service availability
It does not usually mean your package is lost.
Major Delivery Companies in Korea (New Year’s Day)
Here is a general overview foreigners should know:
- CJ Logistics, Hanjin, Lotte, Logen
- ❌ No delivery on January 1st
- Parcels resume from January 2–3
- Korea Post (Post Office)
- ❌ Fully closed (government holiday)
- Coupang Rocket Delivery
- ⚠️ Limited service
- Depends on region and warehouse
- Not guaranteed
- Market Kurly / Oasis (fresh delivery)
- ❌ No dawn delivery on January 1st
- Normal service resumes January 2
👉 Even with private logistics, January 1st delivery is never guaranteed.
Why Does Tracking Look “Stuck”?
Many foreigners worry when tracking shows no movement for a full day.
This usually happens because:
- No parcel pickup
- No last-mile delivery
- Sorting hubs may move parcels internally, but updates pause
So you may see:
- “Arrived at hub”
- “In transit”
with no updates for 24–48 hours
This is normal during Korean public holidays.
What Foreign Residents Should Remember
If you live in Busan or anywhere in Korea, keep these points in mind:
- January 1st is basically a “no delivery day”
- Tracking delays ≠ lost packages
- Customer service often resumes on January 2
- Important items should be ordered before December 30
If you need something urgently (medicine, gifts, daily supplies),
order earlier than you think.
For Online Sellers or Small Business Owners in Korea
If you run:
- a Smart Store
- a personal webshop
- a Coupang Marketplace store
January 1st delivery delays can cause:
- customer complaints
- negative reviews
- unnecessary refund requests
The best solution is clear advance notice.
Recommended Delivery Notice (English Example)
“Due to New Year’s Day (January 1), parcel delivery will be temporarily suspended.
Orders placed after December 31 will be shipped sequentially from January 2.
Please allow an additional 1–2 business days for delivery.”
Posting this notice can reduce customer inquiries dramatically.
Final Summary
So, does delivery work on January 1st in Korea? In most cases, no.
- January 1st is a national holiday in Korea
- 2026 is the Year of the Red Horse (Byeong-O)
- Most deliveries stop on New Year’s Day
- Tracking delays are usually normal
- Deliveries resume from January 2–3
New Year’s Day feels like a fresh start,
but in Korea, delivery systems pause before moving again.
Understanding this saves time, stress, and unnecessary worry —
especially if you’re living in Korea as a foreign resident.
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