You can bring US$800 of goods into Korea duty-free, plus 2 L of alcohol (US$400), one kind of tobacco (200 cigarettes) and 100 mL of perfume. Personal medicine is fine up to 6 bottles or 3 months — but melatonin is not allowed, ADHD and other controlled medicines need approval before you fly, and meat, jerky and most fresh fruit cannot be carried in. Type an item below to check it.
Can I bring it? Check an item
| Item | Can I bring it? | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Gifts, clothes, electronics (all goods) | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | US$800 in total, duty-free — this includes what you bought at Korean duty-free shops (also the arrival duty-free shop). |
| Alcohol (wine, spirits, beer) | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | Up to 2 L in total and US$400 in total, duty-free, on top of the US$800. No bottle limit. None for under-19s. Above either limit, the whole item is taxed at normal rates. |
| Cigarettes | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | 200 sticks duty-free. If you bring several kinds of tobacco, only one kind is duty-free. None for under-19s. |
| Cigars | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | 50 duty-free (only one tobacco type is duty-free). |
| Heated tobacco sticks (IQOS-type) | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | 200 sticks duty-free (only one tobacco type is duty-free). |
| Nicotine vape liquid | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | 20 mL duty-free, nicotine under 1%. Above 1% nicotine, Incheon Customs says Ministry of Environment approval papers may be needed. |
| Other e-cigarette products | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | 110 g duty-free (only one tobacco type is duty-free). |
| Disposable vapes | ❓ No official answer — declare it | Customs does not say how disposable vapes are counted against the e-cigarette allowance. Declare them if you bring several. |
| CBD oil, CBD vapes, THC, hemp, cannabis products | ⛔ Not allowed | Cannabidiol is a cannabis-type substance under Korean law. Bringing any cannabis product in is a crime. |
| Perfume | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | 100 mL duty-free, on top of the US$800. |
| Prescription medicine (not controlled) | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | For personal use: up to 6 bottles or a 3-month supply. Bring the prescription or a doctor’s note. |
| Over-the-counter medicine (cold, allergy, pain) | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | Same personal-use limit: up to 6 bottles or a 3-month supply. Check the ingredients — codeine-based medicine is controlled. |
| Vitamins and health supplements | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | Up to 6 bottles, counted inside the US$800. Supplements with blocked ingredients (see melatonin) cannot be cleared. |
| Melatonin (tablets, gummies) | ⛔ Not allowed | Melatonin is a prescription drug in Korea and a blocked ingredient in health supplements; Customs says melatonin supplements cannot be cleared. Do not pack it. |
| ADHD medicine — Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse | 📄 Approval before you fly | Amphetamine, methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are controlled psychotropics. Apply to MFDS for approval at least 10 business days before arrival. |
| Sleeping pills and anxiety medicine (zolpidem, diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam) | 📄 Approval before you fly | Controlled — prior MFDS approval, at least 10 business days before arrival. |
| Strong painkillers (codeine, oxycodone) | 📄 Approval before you fly | Narcotics — prior MFDS approval, at least 10 business days before arrival. |
| Erectile-dysfunction medicine | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | Medicines that can be misused are limited to the amount on a prescription from a Korean doctor. |
| Meat and meat products (beef jerky, sausage, ham, canned meat) | ⛔ Not allowed | Must be declared; most meat and processed meat cannot be carried in. Undeclared pork products from African swine fever countries: ₩5 million fine on a first offence, up to ₩10 million. |
| Eggs and dairy (cheese, milk, butter) | 📝 Declare it | Declare them. Only allowed from approved countries with an export quarantine certificate. |
| Fresh fruit and vegetables | ⛔ Not allowed | Most fresh fruit and fruit vegetables are banned. Declare all fruit and vegetables; undeclared plants cost ₩100,000 on a first offence and are destroyed. |
| Nuts, seeds, seedlings, flowers, herbal medicine | 📝 Declare it | Declare them. Seeds and seedlings need a phytosanitary certificate; unshelled walnuts are banned. |
| Soil, plants in soil | ⛔ Not allowed | Banned. |
| Kimchi, rice cakes (cooked or prepared food) | ✅ Allowed | Prepared foods like kimchi and rice cakes are not subject to plant quarantine. |
| Instant noodles, packaged snacks, baby formula | ❓ No official answer — declare it | There is no official item-by-item answer. Meat, egg and dairy ingredients fall under the declare rules — declare if a product contains them. |
| Cash over US$10,000 (all currencies combined) | 📝 Declare it | Declare it on arrival and collect the currency declaration certificate in the arrival hall. Not declaring over US$30,000 is a crime. |
| Guns, swords, stun guns, gas sprays (including replicas) | 📝 Declare it | Must be declared and need permits. Replica guns (BB, airsoft) judged to be replicas are prohibited. |
| Knives | 📝 Declare it | Blades 15 cm or longer count as swords; jack knives from 6 cm and switchblades from 5.5 cm are held while the police decide (7–14+ days). |
| Drone (one, for your own use) | ✅ Allowed | One unit brought in for personal use is exempt from radio-equipment certification, as long as it is not sold within a year. |
| Fake brand goods | 📝 Declare it | Goods that infringe trademarks or other intellectual property must be declared. |
| Dogs and cats | 📑 Papers needed | Microchip and a government health certificate; from non-rabies-free countries, a rabies antibody test (0.5 IU/mL or more) within 24 months for animals 90 days or older. |
| Power banks (on the flight) | 📏 Allowed up to a limit | On flights to and from Korea since 20 April 2026: 2 per person, 160 Wh or less each (100–160 Wh needs airline approval), carry-on only, not in the overhead bin, no charging on board. |
Over the US$800 allowance
Customs takes the US$800 off and taxes only the rest, deducting the item that is best for you first. Travellers pay simplified rates:
| Goods | Traveller rate |
|---|---|
| General goods | 15% |
| Leather or composition-leather clothing, textiles, footwear | 18% |
| Fur clothing and fur goods | 19% |
| Deer antler | 21% |
| Gaming and gambling devices | 47% |
| Jewellery, pearls, precious-metal goods | ₩721,200 + 45% of the part over ₩4,808,000 |
| Luxury watches and bags | ₩288,450 + 45% of the part over ₩1,923,000 |
| Alcohol and tobacco above the allowance | Normal rates (no simplified rate) |
Declare it — it costs less
- Declare yourself: 30% off the tax, up to ₩200,000. Example: US$1,300 of general goods → US$500 over → about US$75 at 15%, about US$52.50 if you declare.
- Don’t declare and get caught: an extra 40% of the tax (60% if it happened twice in the past 2 years) — about US$105 in the same example — and goods can be confiscated.
Medicine
Personal medicine: up to 6 bottles or a 3-month supply. Supplements: 6 bottles, counted inside the US$800. Controlled medicines — Korea lists 478 types, including ADHD stimulants, zolpidem, diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, codeine and oxycodone — need approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety first.
How to get approval for controlled medicine
- Apply online on MFDS’s system (nedrug.mfds.go.kr) in English or Korean, at least 10 business days before arrival — later applications are rejected and there is no express service.
- Documents: full passport copy, flight booking, a doctor’s letter (diagnosis, brand and generic name, dose, daily amount, quantity, signature, date), the prescription, and an export certificate if your country issues one.
- You may bring only what you need for your stay plus 5 days, up to 90 days. Carry it in hand luggage; posting controlled medicine to Korea is prohibited.
- The permit is emailed or faxed to you and sent to the authorities. MFDS phone: +82-43-719-2813.
Food and plants
- Declare all meat and meat products, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers, herbal medicine and soil.
- Fines for undeclared livestock products: pork from African swine fever countries ₩5 million / ₩7.5 million / ₩10 million (1st/2nd/3rd offence in 3 years); other animal products ₩1 million / ₩3 million / ₩5 million. Declaring costs nothing.
- Plants brought in undeclared: ₩100,000 / ₩500,000 / ₩1 million, and they are destroyed.
Cash
Declare cash and other means of payment over US$10,000 in total (foreign currency, won notes, traveller’s cheques, gift certificates) and collect the certificate in the arrival hall — it cannot be issued after you leave. Not declaring more than US$30,000 can mean up to a year in prison or a fine.
How to declare
Only if you have something to declare. One form per family. You can fill it in on the plane or on Korea Customs’ mobile e-declaration (m.customs.go.kr/tms, English · Chinese · Japanese · Korean) and pay the tax on your phone. Then use the red “Goods to declare” lane.
Next
e-Arrival Card · Visa & K-ETA by country · Incheon Airport to Seoul · Tax refund when you leave
FAQ
What is the duty-free allowance for Korea?
US$800 per person for all goods, including what you bought at Korean duty-free shops. On top of that: alcohol up to 2 L and US$400 in total, one kind of tobacco (for example 200 cigarettes) and 100 mL of perfume — no alcohol or tobacco for under-19s. Korea Customs’ older English page still shows US$600 and 1 L; the law and its newer pages say US$800 and 2 L.
How much alcohol can I bring into Korea?
Up to 2 litres in total, worth up to US$400 in total, duty-free, with no limit on the number of bottles. You must be 19 or over (counted by birth year). Above the limit, the whole item is taxed at normal rates — not just the extra.
Can I bring medicine to Korea?
Yes, for personal use: up to 6 bottles or a 3-month supply. Narcotic and psychotropic medicines — such as ADHD stimulants, zolpidem, alprazolam, codeine and oxycodone — need approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety before you fly.
Can I bring Adderall or other ADHD medication to Korea?
Only with prior approval. Amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) are controlled psychotropics. Apply on MFDS’s online system at least 10 business days before arrival with your passport, flight booking, doctor’s letter and prescription; you can bring only what you need for your stay plus 5 days, up to 90 days. Carry it in your hand luggage.
Can I bring melatonin to Korea?
No. Melatonin is a prescription drug in Korea and a blocked ingredient in health supplements, so Customs says melatonin supplements — tablets or gummies — cannot be cleared and may be destroyed or sent back.
Can I bring vapes to Korea?
Nicotine vapes, yes: 20 mL of liquid under 1% nicotine is duty-free, or 110 g of other e-cigarette products — only one kind of tobacco counts as duty-free. CBD or THC vapes, no: any cannabis product is a crime to bring in.
Can I bring food or snacks to Korea?
Prepared foods like kimchi and rice cakes are fine. Meat, processed meat (including beef jerky), eggs and dairy must be declared and are mostly not allowed by hand; most fresh fruit and vegetables are banned. For packaged snacks there is no official item list — declare anything with meat, egg or dairy in it.
Can I bring beef jerky or meat to Korea?
No — meat and processed meat such as jerky, sausage, ham and canned meat must be declared, and most cannot be carried in. Fines for undeclared meat products go up to ₩10 million.
Do I need to fill in a customs declaration?
Only if you have something to declare — goods over the allowance, cash over US$10,000, meat, plants, controlled medicine and so on. One form per family. You can also declare on Korea Customs’ mobile site in English, Chinese or Japanese and pay the tax on your phone. With nothing to declare, walk through the “Nothing to declare” lane (you may still be checked).
How many power banks can I bring on a flight to Korea?
Two per person, each 160 Wh or less (100–160 Wh needs airline approval), in your carry-on — not in checked bags and not in the overhead bin. You cannot charge the power bank or use it on board (Korean rule since 20 April 2026).
Sources (checked 2026-10-03): Customs Act Enforcement Rule Art. 48 (traveller allowances) · Customs Act Enforcement Decree Art. 96, Annex 2 (traveller rates) · Customs Act Art. 96 (self-declaration reduction) · Customs Act Art. 241 (penalty for not declaring) · Korea Customs — traveller allowance (Korean) · Incheon Airport Customs — items for travellers · Korea Customs — currency declaration · MFDS — bringing narcotic & psychotropic medicines · MFDS interpretation on melatonin (2024-06) · Korea Customs FAQ — melatonin · Incheon Airport — animal & plant quarantine · APQA — bringing dogs and cats · MOLIT — power banks on flights (2026-04-08) · Korea Customs — e-declaration for travellers. Rules and prices change — the official page wins if it differs. Page rebuilt 2026-10-04.
