The Ultimate Guide to Buy From Coupang in Korea

Coupang is a popular e-commerce site in Korea, ranking second in terms of transaction volume only after Gmarket. Expats also love to shop on Coupang because of its easy-to-use interface. However, Coupang has one weakness: it does not support English speaking users. This article will introduce Coupang and guide you on how to create an account and shop on Coupang. Coupang is one of the largest and fastest-growing e-commerce companies in the world. Coupang's innovative technologies and creative approaches to mobile commerce and customer service set a new standard for online shopping in Korea. Backed by its exclusive technology, Coupang offers one of the most revolutionary door-to-door services in the world. Coupang applies a variety of innovative technologies from logistics to big data to simplify the customer shopping experience. Coupang has been rated as one of the 50 smartest companies in the world by MIT Technology Review and also by Forbes magazine. Only nine companies including Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tesla Motors, and Coupang were named on both lists. Coupang is a global company with offices in Beijing, Los Angeles, Seattle, Seoul, Shanghai, and Silicon Valley.

How to create a Coupang account

Currently, Coupang does not have an English version, but don't worry! You only need to know certain words and be familiar with the operations we guide below.

With a computer

After accessing the Coupang account registration page, please enter the following information:

1. Email address

2. Password (from 6-15 characters, including English characters / numbers / special characters)

3. Confirm password

4. Name

5. Cell phone number

You need to fill in personal information to create an account on Coupang. 

Next, to set the shipping address, press My Coupang and press the button in the lower-left corner.

Please press the button we circle

Press the add address button. To know your address in Korean, you can read our article about the address search and postcode in Korea. And the next steps will be similar to creating an account by phone. Please stay tuned to the next section for more information.

Click on the box to add a shipping address

With a phone

You can access Coupang by a browser on your phone and do the same as with a computer. Or you can download the app from the app store at the following link: ioS | Android

If using the app, after installing, you need to give permission for the app to access your phone.

And choose whether to receive ads or not (left: don't receive, right: receive)

Choose My Coupang

Press 회원 가입 (create an account)

Fill in your information

1. Email

2. Password (at least 6 English characters + digits + special characters)

3. Name

4. Cell phone number

5. Finally, the button is to agree to the terms and register

Fill in your address information

1. On My Coupang                

2. Click the circle on top                           

3. Click on address management (주소록 관리)

4. Click on add address (배송지 추가)                                                                                                         

1. Recipient's name (should enter 2-3 words in Korean)

2. Postcode: After entering, it will display the 상세주소 section for you to enter the room number, if you live in an apartment

3. Cell phone number

4. Additional request for delivery (If the front door of your apartment has a password, you can enter it here, see below)

5. Save the above information as your default address

6. Save and go to the next step

You can choose where to receive your parcel.

1. At the door

2. Get the parcel yourself if you are at home (the staff will ring the bell), put it at the door when you're out

3. Assigned to security (if any)

4. Put in the delivery box (Need box number, choose if your house has a delivery box outside the door)

5. Another place where you want

6. Common entrance password (If you want the shipper to know, please enter the password in box 7, if the door does not have a password, please select 8)

And here is the interface when you finish entering the address. 

How to pay when buying goods on Coupang

1. Choose Buy

If you decide to buy something, press the “바로 구매" (Buy) button on the right side.

'장바구니 담기' = Add to cart

'바로 구매' = Buy now

2. Enter Buyer and Recipient Information

If you filled out this information at the time of account creation and buying for yourself, there's no need to make further edits.

구매자정보: Buyer Information

받는사람정보: Recipient Information

3. Pay

Payment methods you can choose from:

• 계좌 이체: Online transfer (must install a lot of things - not recommended)

• 쿠페이 머니: Use the money in your Coupang Account. If you want to use a refund from previous times you should choose this option

• 신용 / 체크 카드: Pay by credit card/check card (Recommended if you have installed the card's app card. Using this method when there is a need to cancel goods, you can directly get the money back via card instead of applying for withdrawal and going to a bank account is very troublesome)

• 법인 카드: Pay with a corporate card (only if you own a business)

• 휴대폰: Pay a small amount by phone (need to register in advance with the telecommunications company, the amount under 30,000 won - not recommended)

• 무통장 입금 (가상계좌: Coupang will create a virtual account for you to transfer money into. This is the easiest way as there is no need to install anything, but when you return the product or for some reason, you are refunded, it will be a bit difficult to withdraw, the refund will be converted to Coupang money (see the second option)

Then, you have to fill in payment information. We recommend that you choose option 3 - pay by card because if you get a refund, your money will be returned immediately. Select 3 - select your card carrier - select 일시불 (one-time payment) and press '결제 하기' (Payment)

The first time you buy something at Coupang, you need to verify your identity with your mobile phone. Enter information, phone number, and get the verification number.

Read: How to Save Money on Coupang