CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

All pets are subject to importation requirements, and some may be prohibited.

Dogs and cats younger than 90 days or travelling from rabies free countries

• Although a rabies vaccination is not required, it is mandatory they have a microchip implanted.
• A health certificate issued by the Government agency from the country of origin must be submitted to the animal quarantine officer at the port of entry. This must state the animal's microchip number and date of birth.
• If the animal's accompanying documentation has been verified and whose health has been confirmed through a clinical examination at the port of entry, they may be released on the day of arrival.
• However, if an animal does not have a microchip or whose microchip number is not the same as on the certificate, they may be quarantined for an extended period of time to have a microchip implanted at the owner's expense.

Dogs and cats aged 90 days or older or travelling from countries that are not rabies free

• It is mandatory for dogs and cats to have a microchip implanted and an administered rabies-neutralising antibody test. The test must be administered by an internationally approved laboratory or by the competent authority from the country of origin within 24 months.
• A health certificate issued by the Government agency from the country of origin that contains the animal's microchip number and the results of the rabies antibody test must be submitted to the animal quarantine officer.
• If the animal's accompanying documentation has been verified and whose health has been confirmed through a clinical examination at the port of entry, they may be released on the day of arrival.
• However, if an animal does not have a microchip or whose microchip number is not the same as on the certificate, as well as an animal that has not received an antibody test with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or lower, they may be quarantined for an extended period of time to have a microchip implanted and/or undergo a rabies antibody test, at the owner's expense. The average extended period for quarantine is 10 days, which can be extended depending on the case.
• If you do not bring a health certificate for your pet, they must return to the country of origin at the owner's expense.

For further information, including for requirements for all animals other than dogs and cats, please visit the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency Export/Import Quarantine & Inspection.

Free to Import

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 19 years and over)

One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 20ml e-cigarettes/liquid nicotine;
• 50 cigars; or
• 250 grams of tobacco.

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 19 years and over)

• 2 bottles of liquor (total volume up to 2 litres and US$400.

Currency

• Funds of US$10,000 or more must be declared at Customs.

Other Goods

• 60 mL of perfume.
• Duty-free purchases must not exceed US$800.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Sexually inappropriate materials.
• Counterfeit money.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Agricultural, forest, livestock, fishery, and plant products (up to 5kg of each good and 40kg of their total quantity up to ₩100,000).
• Animal and plant species and their derivative products as outlined by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will require permissions from CITES.
• Narcotics drugs.
• Weaponry such as guns (including simulated ones), swords, crossbows, bullets, chemicals, and poisonous or radioactive materials.
• Items which infringe upon intellectual property rights.
• Books, pictures, movies, and other media which may cause harm to the national constitution, public peace, and social customs.
• Commercial products.
• Goods used for leaking Government secrets.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Export

• Duty-free shopping on departure must not exceed US$3000.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• All items on the prohibited to import list.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Luxury watches, cameras, jewellery, gems, fur, and A-level golf clubs.
• Foreign currency and Korean won exceeding the value of US$10,000 must be declared.
• High priced items that have been declared upon entry need to be declared upon exit.
• Articles specified by other laws and regulations, such as cultural assets.
• Gold which is not part of personal jewellery such as gold bars must be declared.

For further information, please visit the Korea Customs Service.