{
  "iso2": "kr",
  "name": "South Korea",
  "region": "Asia",
  "bloc": null,
  "verified": "2026-10-17",
  "authority": {
    "name": "Korea Customs Service",
    "url": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/main.do"
  },
  "currency": {
    "code": "KRW",
    "declare_over": "USD 10,000"
  },
  "rules": {
    "alcohol": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "Up to 2 L and US$400",
      "detail": "Tax-free liquor is up to 2 litres in total volume and US$400, on top of the general US$800 allowance. Travellers under 19 get no liquor or cigarette exemption. Declare anything above this.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "tobacco": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "200 cigarettes",
      "detail": "Tax exemption covers 200 cigarette sticks, separate from the US$800 general allowance. Under-19s get no exemption. Amounts above this must be declared and duty paid.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "vapes": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "20 ml nicotine liquid (under 1%)",
      "detail": "Tax-free allowance lists e-cigarette or liquid nicotine of 20 ml, with nicotine under 1%, alongside 200 cigarette sticks. Declare more than that.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "duty_goods": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "US$800 tax-free total",
      "detail": "Goods with a total taxable value of US$800 or less are tax-exempt. Voluntary declaration of excess earns a 30% duty reduction; if caught not declaring, an additional 40% tax applies (60% for repeat within 2 years).",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "cash": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare over US$10,000",
      "detail": "Means of payment exceeding US$10,000 must be declared, in the Goods to Declare passage. The declaration form is not required for travellers with nothing to declare.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "cannabis": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Marijuana and hemp products: restricted",
      "detail": "Drugs such as marijuana, opium and coca leaves, hemp and its products, and psychoactive drugs are on the list of goods to declare; narcotics are restricted goods that must meet all customs clearance requirements.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "meds_controlled": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare medicines open to misuse",
      "detail": "Psychoactive drugs and medicines that may be misused or abused are on the goods-to-declare list. Narcotics are restricted goods that must meet all clearance requirements.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "meat_dairy": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare meat and animal products",
      "detail": "Animals, including meat, skin and hair, and livestock products and other foods must be declared. Quarantine inspection applies to agricultural and livestock items.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "plants_seeds": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare plants, fruit and vegetables",
      "detail": "Plants, fruit, vegetables and agricultural, forest and fishery products (including processed goods) must be declared.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "wildlife": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "CITES wildlife restricted",
      "detail": "CITES-protected animals and plants and goods made from them (ivory, fur, coral, bags and accessories from tiger, elephant, alligator, etc.) are restricted and must be declared.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "weapons": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare firearms, swords, tasers, sprays",
      "detail": "Firearms, swords, explosives, gas sprayers, Taser guns and crossbows (including parts and imitation or ornamental crossbows) must be declared. Firearms are restricted goods.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    },
    "media": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Indecent or subversive media prohibited",
      "detail": "Sexually inappropriate materials are prohibited. Books, photos, films and discs that violate the constitution, public security or social customs must be declared.",
      "source": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743"
    }
  },
  "gov_uk_slug": "south-korea",
  "canada_slug": "south-korea",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "KCS: Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers",
      "url": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=8069&cntntsId=2743",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en"
    },
    {
      "title": "Incheon Airport: Cultural property export permission and appraisal",
      "url": "https://www.airport.kr/ap_en/1429/subview.do",
      "kind": "outbound",
      "lang": "en"
    },
    {
      "title": "Korea Heritage Service (Cultural Heritage Administration)",
      "url": "https://english.khs.go.kr/",
      "kind": "outbound",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    },
    {
      "title": "MOFA: Customs and currency rules for travellers (departure currency)",
      "url": "https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ca-montreal-en/wpge/m_20346/contents.do",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    },
    {
      "title": "Korea Customs Service: Prohibited and restricted items (full list)",
      "url": "https://www.customs.go.kr/english/main.do",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    }
  ],
  "outbound": {
    "antiquities": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Heritage Service permit needed for cultural assets",
      "detail": "Cultural assets can only be exported with permission from the Administrator of the Korea Heritage Service (apply about 3 months ahead). Items that might be mistaken for cultural assets can be appraised at the airport or port at least 3 hours before departure.",
      "source": "https://www.airport.kr/ap_en/1429/subview.do"
    }
  }
}