South Korea customs
Apply for visa
Free import
• Personal belongings and goods bought abroad (including gifts) with a total value of up to USD 800. Agricultural, livestock and fishery products count toward this amount and are limited to 5 kg per item, 40 kg in total and KRW 100,000 in total purchase price.
• In addition to the USD 800 allowance, for travelers aged 19 or older: alcoholic beverages up to 2 L in total volume and USD 400 in total value.
• In addition to the USD 800 allowance, for travelers aged 19 or older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of other tobacco, or for e-cigarettes 20 ml of liquid nicotine or 200 heated tobacco sticks or 110 g of other e-cigarette products. If you bring more than one type of tobacco, the allowance applies to one type only.
• In addition to the USD 800 allowance: 100 ml of perfume.
• Travelers under 19 (counted by year of birth) get no allowance for alcohol and tobacco.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of money you may bring in.
• Foreign currency, Korean won banknotes and cheques (including cashier's cheques in won) totalling more than USD 10,000 or the equivalent must be declared to customs on arrival: tick "Yes" at item 3 of the Traveler Declaration Form, enter the amount and collect the Certificate of Foreign Currency Declaration. The certificate cannot be issued after you have left the arrival area. Failure to declare is punished by a fine or imprisonment.
Prohibited
• Obscene or sexually inappropriate materials
• Forged, altered or imitation currency, banknotes, bonds and other securities
• Counterfeit goods that infringe trademarks or other intellectual property rights: they are confiscated, and offenders face up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 100 million.
Restricted
• Goods above the duty-free allowance, and commercial goods, samples and goods for repair, must be declared. If you declare voluntarily, the customs duty is reduced by 30%. If undeclared goods are found, a penalty of 40% of the tax due is added (60% for a second offence within 2 years). Travelers with nothing to declare do not need to fill in the declaration form.
• Firearms, swords, explosives, gas sprays, stun guns and crossbows (including parts, replicas and ornamental items), toxic or radioactive materials and eavesdropping equipment must be declared and can be cleared only with the required permits.
• Narcotics (such as marijuana, opium and coca leaves), psychotropic drugs, hemp products and medicines that may be misused must be declared. Carry personal medication in your hand luggage in small amounts, with a prescription in English.
• Books, photos, films, CDs and other media that harm the constitutional order, public security or public morals, and goods used to leak government secrets or for espionage, must be declared.
• All animals and animal products (including meat, skin and hair), plants, fruit, vegetables, live fish, agricultural, forestry, livestock and fishery products (including processed products) and other foods must be declared and pass quarantine inspection. Some products may not be brought in at all.
• Endangered species of animals and plants and products made from them (CITES), such as ivory, furs, coral, orchids, and traditional medicines containing bear bile or musk, need CITES permits.
• Dogs and cats need an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785) and a government health certificate from the exporting country showing the microchip number. Pets aged 90 days or older from countries that are not rabies-free also need a rabies antibody test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, done by an approved laboratory within 24 months before arrival. Pets without the right documents may be quarantined at the owner's expense or sent back.
• Personal belongings and goods bought abroad (including gifts) with a total value of up to USD 800. Agricultural, livestock and fishery products count toward this amount and are limited to 5 kg per item, 40 kg in total and KRW 100,000 in total purchase price.
• In addition to the USD 800 allowance, for travelers aged 19 or older: alcoholic beverages up to 2 L in total volume and USD 400 in total value.
• In addition to the USD 800 allowance, for travelers aged 19 or older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of other tobacco, or for e-cigarettes 20 ml of liquid nicotine or 200 heated tobacco sticks or 110 g of other e-cigarette products. If you bring more than one type of tobacco, the allowance applies to one type only.
• In addition to the USD 800 allowance: 100 ml of perfume.
• Travelers under 19 (counted by year of birth) get no allowance for alcohol and tobacco.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of money you may bring in.
• Foreign currency, Korean won banknotes and cheques (including cashier's cheques in won) totalling more than USD 10,000 or the equivalent must be declared to customs on arrival: tick "Yes" at item 3 of the Traveler Declaration Form, enter the amount and collect the Certificate of Foreign Currency Declaration. The certificate cannot be issued after you have left the arrival area. Failure to declare is punished by a fine or imprisonment.
Prohibited
• Obscene or sexually inappropriate materials
• Forged, altered or imitation currency, banknotes, bonds and other securities
• Counterfeit goods that infringe trademarks or other intellectual property rights: they are confiscated, and offenders face up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 100 million.
Restricted
• Goods above the duty-free allowance, and commercial goods, samples and goods for repair, must be declared. If you declare voluntarily, the customs duty is reduced by 30%. If undeclared goods are found, a penalty of 40% of the tax due is added (60% for a second offence within 2 years). Travelers with nothing to declare do not need to fill in the declaration form.
• Firearms, swords, explosives, gas sprays, stun guns and crossbows (including parts, replicas and ornamental items), toxic or radioactive materials and eavesdropping equipment must be declared and can be cleared only with the required permits.
• Narcotics (such as marijuana, opium and coca leaves), psychotropic drugs, hemp products and medicines that may be misused must be declared. Carry personal medication in your hand luggage in small amounts, with a prescription in English.
• Books, photos, films, CDs and other media that harm the constitutional order, public security or public morals, and goods used to leak government secrets or for espionage, must be declared.
• All animals and animal products (including meat, skin and hair), plants, fruit, vegetables, live fish, agricultural, forestry, livestock and fishery products (including processed products) and other foods must be declared and pass quarantine inspection. Some products may not be brought in at all.
• Endangered species of animals and plants and products made from them (CITES), such as ivory, furs, coral, orchids, and traditional medicines containing bear bile or musk, need CITES permits.
• Dogs and cats need an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785) and a government health certificate from the exporting country showing the microchip number. Pets aged 90 days or older from countries that are not rabies-free also need a rabies antibody test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, done by an approved laboratory within 24 months before arrival. Pets without the right documents may be quarantined at the owner's expense or sent back.