If you plan to send Chuseok gifts via courier, it's advisable to act sooner than usual. The volume of deliveries is expected to surge ahead of the holiday, and major courier companies will impose collection restrictions just before the holiday.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a 'special management period for Chuseok deliveries' will be in effect from September 7 to October 2. This initiative aims to manage the anticipated increase in delivery volume while preventing overwork among delivery personnel.
The ministry projects that daily delivery volumes during this peak season will rise to approximately 19.3 million boxes, a 4.9% increase from the average of 18.4 million boxes in July.
In response, major courier companies will deploy about 5,500 additional workers, including 1,600 drivers for trunk vehicles, 1,200 delivery drivers, and 2,700 personnel for loading, unloading, and sorting.
Consumers should pay close attention to the days leading up to the Chuseok holiday. The ministry has indicated that major courier companies plan to restrict collections 1-2 days before the holiday to ensure their workers can take time off. This year, Chuseok falls on Friday, September 25, with the official holiday period from September 24 to 26.
However, the 'collection restrictions 1-2 days before the holiday' do not mean that all courier services will cease collections on the same date. Actual collection schedules may vary depending on the courier company, service used, and delivery area. It is advisable to check the delivery schedules announced by the courier companies or retailers directly.
Extra caution is necessary when sending perishable items such as fruits, meat, and seafood. Some courier services may restrict the acceptance of refrigerated or frozen goods and perishable agricultural products, so simply checking the delivery deadline is not sufficient. It is safer to confirm the types of items accepted and the collection schedules for your chosen service before sending.
The ministry has also requested cooperation from large shippers, such as online shopping malls, to help distribute delivery volumes and adhere to collection restrictions. Local governments and public institutions have been urged to stagger orders for Chuseok seasonal goods to avoid a surge in demand at specific times.
Measures to protect delivery personnel will also be implemented. Health managers at each service point will check the health status of workers daily, and those showing any signs of health issues will be required to take immediate breaks.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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