When planning a trip to South Korea, it is important for travelers to check the customs and import regulations.
Visitors need to understand what is not allowed into South Korea and avoid any prohibited items when packing their luggage.
This article explains South Korea customs food restrictions and answers common questions such as how much alcohol you can bring into South Korea. There is also information about South Korea’s pet imports, tariffs, and more.
South Korea Import Restrictions
International passengers must not bring restricted goods into South Korea:
- Weapons of all kinds, including replicas, and toys resembling guns or swords. Gunpowder and explosives are also restricted.
- Illegal drugs: Opium, marijuana or cannabis, cocaine, amongst others.
- Wildlife protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, also known as CITES, as well as products or materials made from these animals. This includes, but is not limited to, medicinal products formulated with one of these endangered species within its ingredients. The following products are equally restricted: handbags, wallets, stoles, taxidermy, and ivory made from endangered animals such as elephants, leopards, and alligators.
- The maximum means of payment in a foreign or domestic currency may not exceed the sum of USD 10,000 .
- Similarly, travelers may not carry cashier’s checks, overdraft checks, postal money orders, etc.
- Travelers’ checks exceeding USD 10,000 must be declared to customs upon arrival and departure from South Korea
- Precious metals except for gold accessories such as rings or necklaces exclusively destined for personal daily use. The importation and exportation of such items is restricted.
- Goods subject to the Fisheries Act and the Rules on Migration and Approval of Marine Animals and Plants.
- Toxic goods that may threaten the quality of water resources and the growth of saplings for culturing within South Korea.
- Plants, fruits & vegetables, and agricultural and forestry products (restricted import/export).
- Animal products (including meat, skin, fur, etc.), livestock, and animal fodder (restricted import).
These import restrictions are in place to improve safety and security in South Korea and prevent health risks.
South Korea Customs: Prohibited Items for Travelers Visiting South Korea
Travelers visiting South Korea are forbidden to enter the country carrying the following prohibited items:
- Books, photos, films, and other items of similar nature that are in direct violation of constitutional orders, or may be harmful to the public order and customs of South Korea.
- Items or documents containing confidential information regarding government or intelligence activities.
- Counterfeit, forged, or fake money, banknotes, bonds, amongst others.
What happens if I bring restricted items to South Korea?
In the event that a traveler is found carrying prohibited items into South Korea, the forbidden items are highly likely to be confiscated.
Additionally, tourists found carrying prohibited material or restricted items while going through the required customs investigation at the airport will face repercussionsaccording to the Korean laws regarding customs.
It is for this reason that travelers are advised to avoid carrying certain restricted items, whether they are entering or leaving the country.
South Korea Pet Import and Animal Quarantine
Travelers with the following characteristics are required to undergo the appropriate inspection procedure prior to their entry in South Korea:
- Individuals carrying live animals and/or animal products, such as, but not limited to, leather, animal feed, etc.
- Tourists who have recently visited a farm or whose work involves animals such as veterinarians, feed suppliers, etc.
Can I bring a dog or cat to South Korea?
Visitors can travel with their cat or dog provided it meets the following South Korea pet import policy requirements:
- Has a pet microchip
- Has an import permit (if traveling with 5 or more dogs or cats)
- Has been vaccinated against rabies and rabies test if arriving from an infected region
- Accompanied by a health certificate issued by a veterinarian
Pets and the required accompanying documentation are inspected on arrival at the airport. Provided everything is in order, the dog or cat will be released on the same day.
What Foods Can You Bring into South Korea?
South Korean customs food restrictions mean that the following food items must be declared on arrival or departure:
- Meat and poultry items: beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc.
- Processed meat products: ham, sausage, bacon, beef jerky, marinated beef, canned meats, etc.
- Egg products: whole eggs, egg whites, powdered eggs, etc.
- Dairy products: milk, cheese, butter, etc.
- Plant items: fruits and vegetables, nuts, medicinal herbs etc.
Animal products from approved export countries are required to go through the quarantine process as well.
Travelers carrying a certificate of quarantine from export countries meeting local import sanitation requirements will be permitted to bring their products into the country, as long as there are no problems with these products, upon arrival inspection in Korea.
Live animals and processed meats, originating from or passing through countries where a contagious livestock disease outbreak is happening, are prohibited.
How much alcohol can you bring into South Korea
According to South Korea import regulations, travelers aged 19 and over can import 1 liter (one bottle) of alcoholic beverage into the country up to a value of USD 400.
Quantities over this amount will be subject to import duties.
Can I bring seeds to Korea?
Like other plant products, seeds must be declared at South Korea customs. Kernels, saplings, and roots will also undergo the appropriate inspection procedure.
Whilst these are not necessarily items prohibited from entering Korea, they will be confiscated if they do not pass the safety inspection.
South Korea Taxes and Tariffs on Imports
Passengers arriving in South Korea have the following duty-free allowances:
- 60 milliliters of perfume
- Gifts and goods for personal use up to a value of USD 600
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 20 milligrams of E-cigarettes or 250g tobacco products (passengers aged 19 and over)
- 1 liter (one bottle) of alcoholic beverages (passengers aged 19 and over)
Other items will be subject to import tax. South Korea has a flat 10% Value Added Tax on all imports. Certain luxury items and consumer goods are subject to a special 10 to 20% excise tax.
The Korean tariffs and taxes must be paid in Korean Won in the 15 days after the goofs clear customs.
Required Items to Travel to South Korea
As well as understanding what is not allowed into South Korea, travelers also need to know the items required to enter the county. Foreign citizens must have a:
- Valid passport
- South Korea visa or K-ETA
The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization is a mandatory entry requirement for visa-exempt travelers from September 1, 2021. Eligible passport holders can apply for the K-ETA online in just a few minutes.
Anyone who is not eligible for the Korea ETA, or who wishes to stay long term, needs the relevant visa from a South Korean Embassy.
