This is a JS Network case study. It’s the story of “Susan,” an F-4 visa holder who had just landed in Seoul to start her new life. And it’s the story of how her attempt to use the “Amazon of Korea” turned into a 10-day bureaucratic ‘Nightmare’.
More importantly, it’s a detailed guide on how JS Network diagnosed and solved the **three-headed monster** of the Coupang for Foreigners experience: **Authentication, Payments, and Customs.**
This is the definitive ‘MBA Guide’ to *actually* making Coupang work for you.
Part 1: The “Nightmare” — The ₩500,000 Order Stuck in Purgatory
Susan called me on a Friday, sounding desperate. “Colin,” she said, “I’m sleeping on an air mattress. I ordered an air purifier, towels, and a rice cooker from Coupang four days ago. My US credit card was charged ₩500,000, but the app still says ‘Payment Pending’. Now they’re asking for a ‘PCCC’ number? What is going on!?” ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Susan was smart. She had already read our first guide, How to Use Coupang Without a Korean ID, and had successfully created a ‘basic’ account. She thought she was in the clear. She placed a big order, mixing ‘Rocket’ items (domestic) with ‘Rocket Jikgu’ (cross-border/international) items.
And that’s when the “Nightmare” began.
- Day 1:** Order placed. US card charged. App says “결제 확인 중” (Payment Pending).
- Day 2:** Still pending. Susan contacts Coupang support. They send a generic reply about “card verification.”
- Day 3:** The ‘Rocket’ items are canceled. The ‘Rocket Jikgu’ items are now stuck, asking for a **”개인통관고유부호” (PCCC)**.
- Day 4:** She calls me. She has no towels, no air purifier, and ₩500,000 is floating in cyberspace.
“They charged my card, but nothing is coming! I’m sleeping on the floor in a new apartment with no clean air. This is the worst welcome to Korea ever!”
This wasn’t a simple ‘app glitch’. This was a systemic failure. This is where a simple ‘blogger’ gives up. This is where JS Network (and my MBA) gets to work. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Part 2: The “Diagnosis” — Why Coupang *Hates* New Foreigners (The 3-Headed Monster)
As a CEO who runs my own e-commerce stores, I know that ‘Payment Pending’ and ‘Customs’ are two different problems. Susan was being attacked by *two* separate ‘Nightmares’ at the same time. We had to diagnose them separately.
Monster 1: The “Half-Ghost” Account (Authentication Failure)
This was the root of her **”Payment Pending”** issue. Yes, she had ‘created’ an account. But she had *not* completed the full **’본인인증’ (Phone Authentication)** using the ‘PASS’ app. Why? Because her new SIM card wasn’t properly registered to her ARC number at the telecom agency.
To Coupang’s automated fraud-detection system, her account was a “Half-Ghost”: an email login with a ₩500,000 foreign card transaction. This is the #1 red flag for credit card fraud. The system automatically froze the payment, protecting itself (and her) from a ‘Nightmare’ chargeback.
Monster 2: The “PCCC” Customs Wall (개인통관고유부호)
This was the second problem, related to her ‘Rocket Jikgu’ items. **ANYTHING** you buy from overseas (even on Coupang) *must* be cleared by Korean Customs. To do this, every single resident of Korea (Korean or foreigner) needs a **”Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC)”** (개인통관고유부호). Susan didn’t have one. She didn’t even know it existed. Coupang’s system ‘assumed’ she had one, but when the ‘Jikgu’ items hit the Incheon customs office, they were immediately flagged and put on hold. “No PCCC? No entry.”
Monster 3: The “Foreign Card Fraud Flag”
Even if her account *was* verified, many foreign credit cards (especially US ones) are not automatically enrolled in the “3D Secure” (e.g., “Verified by Visa”) or Korean “Safe-Click (안심클릭)” systems. The combination of a ‘Half-Ghost’ account + a ‘non-3D-Secure’ foreign card + a ‘high-value’ first-time purchase was a guaranteed ‘Nightmare’. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Part 3: The “JS Network Solution” — The 3-Step Fix (1 Day)
This was a multi-layered systems failure. We launched a 3-step ‘MBA Action Plan’ immediately.
Step 1: Fix the “Root” Problem (Authentication)
I didn’t call Coupang first. That’s a waste of time. I first had Susan fix her ‘Ghost’ status. As a JS Network concierge service, we guided her (via KakaoTalk ㅋㅋㅋ) to her phone provider (SKT). She had to re-verify her ARC and “register” her name *exactly* as it appears on her ARC (e.g., “SUSAN JANE DOE”, not “Susan Doe”) with the telecom. This allowed her to *finally* activate the ‘PASS’ app. She was now a ‘real person’ in the Korean system.
Step 2: Get the “Golden Key” (The PCCC)
This is the ‘easy’ part that looks ‘hard’. I sent her the direct link to the **Korea Customs Service PCCC portal** (`unipass.customs.go.kr`). Because her phone (Step 1) was now authenticated, she was able to get her PCCC number **in 3 minutes**. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is the ‘Cheat Code’ to solving the Coupang for Foreigners problem.
Step 3: Contact Coupang (As an ‘Expert’)
Now, we were ready. We didn’t just ‘complain’ to customer service. As JS Network, we submitted a formal ticket *with all the evidence*:
- “Client: Susan J. Doe (ARC #XXXXXX-XXXXXXX)”
- “Order #: XXXXXXXXX”
- “Issue 1: Payment failed. Account is now **fully authenticated via PASS (본인인증 완료)**.”
- “Issue 2: Customs hold. Client’s PCCC is **[PXXXXXXXXXXXX]**. Please update the order.”
Within 4 hours, we received a reply. The ‘Payment Pending’ status was cleared. The PCCC was applied. The ‘Rocket Jikgu’ items were released from customs. Susan got her air purifier the next day.
The ‘Nightmare’ was over. JS Network turned a 10-day bureaucratic hell into a 1-day systems fix. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Part 4: Your “Prevention Plan” — The Ultimate 10-Step Coupang Guide for Foreigners
Don’t be “Susan”! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ If you are a foreigner in Korea, follow this **10-step expert guide** to set up your Coupang account *perfectly* the first time. This is the **definitive guide** to solving the Coupang for Foreigners ‘Nightmare’.
- GET YOUR ARC.** Before anything. You cannot *truly* use Coupang without an Alien Registration Card (ARC).
- GET A *POST-PAID* PHONE PLAN.** Do *not* get a pre-paid (선불) SIM. Go to SKT, KT, or LG U+ and get a real, post-paid plan.
- CRITICAL: VERIFY YOUR NAME.** When you sign up for the phone plan, ensure your name is registered *EXACTLY* as it appears on your ARC. (e.g., “COLIN B. SMITH” not “Colin Smith”). This is the #1 reason ‘본인인증’ fails.
- DOWNLOAD THE ‘PASS’ APP.** Once your phone is registered, download the ‘PASS’ app (by SKT, KT, or LG). This is your ‘digital key’ to Korea. Authenticate it.
- GET YOUR PCCC.** Go to the Korea Customs Service website (`unipass.customs.go.kr`) *immediately*. Use your new ‘PASS’ authentication to get your “Personal Customs Clearance Code” (PCCC / 개인통관고유부호). It takes 3 minutes. Save this number!
- NOW, DOWNLOAD COUPANG.** Do not do this earlier. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- SIGN UP & AUTHENTICATE.** Create your account. When it asks to ‘Verify Your Identity’ (본인인증), use the ‘PASS’ app. Because you did Step 1-4, it will work *perfectly*. You are now a ‘Real Person’, not a ‘Ghost’.
- REGISTER YOUR KOREAN BANK ACCOUNT.** Link your Korean bank account (where your salary goes) to ‘Coupang Pay’ (쿠페이). This is the *best* way to pay. It avoids all credit card issues.
- REGISTER YOUR FOREIGN CARD (Optional).** If you must use a foreign card, add it to your profile now. *Before* you buy, contact your home bank and tell them “I am in Korea, please approve charges from Coupang.”
- ENTER YOUR PCCC.** In your Coupang settings, find the “Address / Customs” section. Add your PCCC number *before* you ever buy a ‘Rocket Jikgu’ item.
By following these 10 steps, you have eliminated 100% of the ‘Nightmares’ Susan faced. You can now enjoy Rocket delivery like a true local. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Disclaimer: This case study is for informational/educational purposes based on real JS Network client solutions. It is not legal or financial advice. Coupang’s policies can change. If you are facing a complex issue, contact JS Network for a professional consultation.</s
Related ‘Nightmare’ Solutions:
- ➡️ (The Root Problem) The ‘Authentication Failed’ Nightmare: An Expat’s Guide to ‘본인인증’ and the ‘PASS’ App
- ➡️ (The SIM Nightmare) The “eSIM vs. USIM” Nightmare: Expert SIM Card Guide
- ➡️ (The Payment Nightmare) How to Build a Korean Credit Score From Zero (My ‘Cheat Code’ Guide)
JS Network: Solving Korea’s ‘Expat Nightmares’
Colin (Founder) | U.S. MBA | 11+ Yrs Global Experience
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