South Korea - Prohibited and Restricted Imports (2024)

FAQs

South Korea - Prohibited and Restricted Imports? ›

Firearms: including replicas and toys. Precious metals: gold jewelry used daily is not included. Narcotics: illegal drugs including marijuana or cannabis, cocaine, opium etc.

South Korea is one of the few countries that explicitly prohibits any form of p*rnography. p*rnographic websites, books, writings, films, magazines, photographs or other materials of a p*rnographic nature are illegal in South Korea.

Collectible coins, collectible currency, collectible stamps, weapons and swords, medicines, marijuana, narcotics, opium, poppy seeds, etc. Animal and plant quarantine, relics, products and films made in North Korea, and items that infringe patents, utility models, designs, trademarks or copyrights.

Can I bring food into Korea? You can bring prepared food for personal consumption into Korea, but it cannot exceed USD 400.

Korean Customs will confiscate shipments exceeding the 2-bottle limit. Shipments of food, including aloe extracts, seeds, and bamboos require quarantine inspection. Shipments of medical instruments require a recommendation from the Korean Food and Drug Administration.

FedEx International Priority and FedEx International Economy are two options available to ship to South Korea from the US. While the first one aims to deliver within 1-3 business days with the second one you can expect delivery within 5 business days.

Pursuant to “Cosmetic Act”, cosmetics in South Korea are divided into two categories: general cosmetics and functional cosmetics. General cosmetics are permitted to be manufactured/imported without registration but are subject to post-market supervision.

North Korea has strict laws about what you can bring into the country. It's illegal to bring in religious, p*rnographic or political items. Declare all published material and electronic devices when you arrive. It's also illegal to knowingly or unknowingly possess items that breach North Korean law.

What goods are prohibited by customs? ›

Other Items Restricted from International Mail

Stem cell treatments, human growth cells, or steroids, including synthetic versions. Pesticides and fungicides. Self-balancing boards (hoverboards) or other self-propelled vehicles. Damaged batteries.

Prohibited in Checked and Cabin baggage:

Corrosives such as acids, alkalis, mercury and wet cell batteries and apparatus containing mercury. Explosives, munitions, fireworks and flares, ammunition including blank cartridges, handguns, fire works, pistol caps.

All travelers entering the United States are REQUIRED to DECLARE meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying. The declaration must cover all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle.

Can I send chocolates to South Korea? The answer is yes, thanks to your specialty store Planète Chocolat, who will arrange for the delivery of these items all over Asia.

FAQ About Sending Gifts to South Korea

Yes, it's possible to send gifts to South Korea from overseas, and there are several different ways of doing it. If you want to send a gift that you have, you can send it via the post or via a private courier company (we recommend Eurosender for its great fees).

Frequently asked questions. How much money can I send to South Korea? The maximum transfer amount when sending money to South Korea and receiving cash is 5,000 USD.

What is the cheapest shipping to Korea from US? ›

There are some items you can't ship to South Korea. Prohibited commodities include antiques and jewelry. There are certain restrictions surrounding items like animal products and skins, blank forms, calendars, coffee, cosmetics, eyeglasses, fabrics and fabric samples.

Alcohol. The legal drinking age in Korea is 19 years of age. Although it is legal to drink alcohol in public, disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol can result in hefty fines and a visit to the police station.

Underage drinking is somewhat restricted by bartenders' reluctance to serve younger people alcoholic drinks. The legal drinking age in South Korea is 19 years old. Although 19 might sound like an odd drinking age, it is the same as in many Asian countries – for instance, it is close to the drinking age in Japan.

Korean salt plays an integral part in Korean cooking, perhaps more so than some cuisines because for hundreds of years, Koreans have used salt to season, preserve and ferment many different foods like Kimchi, Gochujang (Korean chili paste), Ganjang (soy sauce) and Jeotgal (fermented seafood) for hundreds — at least 500 ...

South Korean law permits only licensed medical practitioners, as opposed to tattoo artists without medical degrees, to open tattoo parlors, although it is not illegal to have a tattoo. Only the army prohibits tattoos. People can have tattoos after serving in the military.

Kissing in public is looked down upon and seen as highly immodest among older individuals in South Korea. This has become less taboo with the current generation of young adults, but is still widely discouraged by elders. Dressing well is important in South Korea; it is considered a sign of respect.

Clothing etiquette

While short-shorts and skirts are commonplace for women in Korea's major cities, exposed shoulders and low-cut tops are still considered taboo most places. Summers get hot in South Korea, so loose-fitting t-shirts are a good alternative to tank tops.

North Korea - Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals. Exercise increased caution to North Korea due to the critical threat of wrongful detention.

Korea has same restrictions as most other countries- no fruits, vegetables, seeds, animal products (including beef jerky), jams/jellys, etc. I flew with some fruits back in September and brought them into the country, but I was flying with my toddler and they seem to bend the food rules a bit with the Littles.

Why can't South Koreans visit North Korea? ›

Citizens of South Korea require special permission from both governments to enter North Korea and are typically not granted such permission for regular tourism except in special tourist areas designated for South Koreans.

You must declare all items you purchased and are carrying with you upon return to the United States, including gifts for other people as well as items you bought for yourself. This includes duty-free items purchased in foreign countries, as well as any merchandise you intend to sell or use in your business.

Merchandise is declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item. If in doubt, declare it.

You must declare all food products. Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties. The following are generally admissible: Condiments: ketchup (catsup), mustard, mayonnaise, Marmite and Vegemite and prepared sauces that do not contain meat products.

Examples of prohibited cargo are also bullion, endangered animal products, and animal skins. Freight forwarders may not ship items such as lithium batteries, car batteries, corrosives, pesticides, poisons, and oxidizers depending on the country of delivery.

Due to flammable ethyl alcohol content, shipping perfume requires a TSA Clearance and validation that the shipping company knows how to pack dangerous goods. This approval is something that a carrier, like either DHL or FedEx, can set up for your shipping account so that shipping internationally is viable.

You can only ship prescription medications internationally if you are a DEA-registered distributor.

There is no way to avoid customs duties, customs officers will check all items entering the country and charges will be applied where necessary. If you simply put 'gift' on the customs invoice, this does not mean it will not attract duty as they will still check the value of what is in the box.

Can I put full size shampoo in checked luggage? ›

Typically, travelers put their toiletries in the bag such as shampoo, hair products, make-up and toothpaste. Individuals who want to pack their large bottle of shampoo or full-size toothpaste should pack those items in their checked bags.

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.

Most consumer personal electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, data loggers, PDAs , electronic games, tablets, laptop computers, cameras, camcorders, watches, calculators, etc.

As a result, prohibited items may result in both a TSA civil enforcement action and a criminal enforcement action. Before leaving home, remember to check your baggage to ensure you are not carrying any prohibited items to avoid a possible arrest and/or civil penalties.

Checked Baggage Screening

The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. Inspection Notices: TSA may inspect your checked baggage during the screening process. If your property is physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag.

Failure to declare food products at US air, sea and land border entry points can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000, according to the CBP.

If you declare that you are carrying food, you have met the requirement as set forth by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and any non-admissible items will simply be confiscated. The Global Entry receipt will print with a circle on the top, with the phrase “Proceed to Baggage Control”.

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

What is prohibited from shipping? ›

Domestically Prohibited Items

Ammunition. Explosives. Gasoline. Marijuana (medical or otherwise); hemp/CBD is allowed, but restricted.

Can I send chocolates to South Korea? The answer is yes, thanks to your specialty store Planète Chocolat, who will arrange for the delivery of these items all over Asia.

What's the difference between prohibited and restricted goods? While forbidden – in this case prohibited – goods are not tradable under any circ*mstances, restricted items are importable under certain conditions with the necessary approvals from the relevant CA.

Example of such goods is wild animals, wild birds or parts of wild animals and birds, narcotic drugs like opium, marijuana, and ivory, and arms like revolvers or pistols, or other handguns and ammunition.

If you send a prohibited item, this may be retained or even destroyed. There are prohibited items that cannot be transported by any carriers. In most cases, these prohibited items are those whose circulation is banned by local or international laws.

Save. Copy. Prohibited Items means any goods or materials the carriage of which is prohibited by any law, rule or regulation of any country in or over which the shipment travels; Sample 1Sample 2Sample 3.

If an item is restricted, it means that it can be shipped — but your shipment must meet USPS requirements, in addition to all federal, state and local laws that apply to the restricted item before its deemed acceptable for USPS shipping.

FedEx prohibited items are strictly not allowed to be shipped by FedEx. Service will automatically be declined if your shipment's contents are FedEx prohibited items.

FAQ About Sending Gifts to South Korea

Yes, it's possible to send gifts to South Korea from overseas, and there are several different ways of doing it. If you want to send a gift that you have, you can send it via the post or via a private courier company (we recommend Eurosender for its great fees).

There are some items you can't ship to South Korea. Prohibited commodities include antiques and jewelry. There are certain restrictions surrounding items like animal products and skins, blank forms, calendars, coffee, cosmetics, eyeglasses, fabrics and fabric samples.