Spend ₩15,000 or more in one payment at a Tax Free shop and you can get the VAT back. Many shops take it off on the spot (purchases under ₩1,000,000, up to ₩5,000,000 per trip) — just show your physical passport. Bigger purchases: keep the refund slip and claim it at the airport after customs. The goods must leave Korea within 3 months.
Five ways to get your refund
| Way | Where | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate refund | At the till in shops showing an immediate-refund sign — pay the price without VAT | ₩15,000 to under ₩1,000,000 per purchase; ₩5,000,000 per stay |
| Downtown refund booth | Staffed counters or kiosks in shopping areas — cash, card, Alipay or WeChat Pay; each booth only takes its own company’s slips, and you still need customs on departure | Up to ₩6,000,000 per receipt |
| Airport refund | Kiosks (24 h) or staffed desks after customs — they take every company’s slips | From ₩15,000; no upper purchase limit stated |
| Mailbox | At ports without a refund counter: after customs, write your details and refund method on the slip and drop it in the refund mailbox | — |
| Mobile | Through the refund company’s mobile refund site or app | — |
How much comes back: about 5–8% of the price after the refund company’s fee. Refunds to a card or mobile wallet have their own (lower) fees than cash.
Who qualifies
- Non-Korean citizens staying less than 6 months.
- Overseas Koreans staying less than 3 months who have lived abroad for 2+ years or hold foreign permanent residency.
- Goods must be new, unopened and unused when you leave.
- Not eligible: diplomats, US Forces Korea, people employed in Korea, purchases in a company name or by an agent; opened or used items, cooked food, massages and duty-free goods.
At Incheon Airport, step by step
If the refund items are in your carry-on
- Check in as usual. Keep the items and the refund documents in your hand luggage.
- Go through security and use a refund kiosk in the departure area (24 hours).
- If the kiosk says customs inspection is required, take your passport, the purchase confirmation and the unopened items to the customs desk.
If the refund items are in your checked bag
- Tell the airline staff at check-in. You get a customs-inspection tag and your bag back.
- Use the refund kiosk in the departure hall.
- If flagged, go to the customs desk with the bag, passport and purchase confirmation.
- Put the cleared bag on the large-baggage conveyor next to the customs desk.
Do customs BEFORE you check the bag
Customs needs to see the goods, your passport and the purchase confirmation (물품판매확인서) — a normal receipt is not accepted. Once the bag is checked, you can’t show the goods.
Refund desks at the airports
| Airport | Where | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon T1 | Near Gate 28, 3F duty-free zone (after security) | 07:00–22:00 | +82-32-743-1009 |
| Incheon T2 | Near Gate 253 (across from Gate 250), 3F duty-free zone | 07:00–21:30 (VisitKorea lists 07:30) | +82-32-743-2732 |
| Gimpo | Staffed refund counter | 06:30–20:00 | — |
| Gimhae (Busan) | Staffed refund counter | 06:30–21:00 | — |
| Jeju | Staffed refund counter | 06:00–22:00 | — |
Unstaffed refund kiosks run 24 hours at Incheon T1/T2, Gimpo and Gimhae; Jeju has a staffed counter only (06:00–22:00). At Incheon the kiosks after security are near Gate 28 and the Concourse 3F (next to the central pharmacy) in T1, and near Gate 253 in T2 (another VisitKorea guide names Gates 225, 249 and 274 — check the signs). Large refunds can be credited to your own credit card. Other ports have refund mailboxes instead of counters.
Forgot customs at the airport?
No customs stamp, no refund. If the slip is still valid, you can bring the items and slip on your next visit and declare them when you leave again.
Refund companies
Korea Tourism Organization names five refund operators. Downtown booths only refund their own company’s slips; airport counters take all of them.
| Company | Website |
|---|---|
| Global Blue | globalblue.com |
| Global Tax Free | — |
| Easy Tax Refund (KICC) | easytaxrefund.co.kr |
| CubeRefund | cuberefund.com |
| eTAX FREE | — |
Hotel stays: VAT back on your room
Foreign tourists staying 30 nights or less at hotels designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism can get the VAT back on the room charge. The scheme runs until 31 December 2028 (extended in December 2025). It is for individual travellers, not package tours; breakfast counts only when it is included in the room rate, and the refund goes through a refund company. Ask the hotel whether it takes part.
The VAT refund for cosmetic procedures ended with procedures received by 31 December 2025 — it is not available in 2026.
Bringing things into Korea
| Item | Duty-free allowance |
|---|---|
| Total goods | US$800 |
| Alcohol | Up to 2 L in total and US$400 (no allowance under 19) |
| Cigarettes | 200 (no allowance under 19) |
| Perfume | 100 ml |
| Cash and other means of payment | Declare anything over US$10,000 |
Shopping for cosmetics? Olive Young stores on a map · Won converter · Apps & tips
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FAQ
What is the minimum purchase for a tax refund in Korea?
₩15,000 in one payment at a shop that shows the Tax Free sign. You need your physical passport when you pay.
How much can I get refunded on the spot?
At shops that offer an immediate refund, the tax comes off at the till for purchases of ₩15,000 up to under ₩1,000,000 each, up to ₩5,000,000 for your whole stay. Above that, you get a refund slip and claim it at the airport or a downtown refund booth.
Who can claim the refund?
Non-Korean citizens staying in Korea for less than 6 months, and overseas Koreans staying less than 3 months who have lived abroad for 2+ years or hold foreign permanent residency.
Do I have to show the goods at the airport?
If the refund kiosk says customs inspection is required, yes — take your passport, the purchase confirmation and the unopened, unused items to the customs desk before you check that bag in. A normal shop receipt is not accepted.
How much of the VAT do I actually get back?
About 5–8% of the purchase price, after the refund company’s fee. Card and mobile-wallet payouts have their own fees, lower than cash.
Can I get VAT back on my hotel?
Yes, at hotels designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, for stays of 30 nights or less — the scheme runs until 31 December 2028. Individual travellers only, not package tours. Ask the hotel.
How long do I have?
The goods must leave Korea within 3 months of the purchase date.
How much can I bring INTO Korea duty-free?
US$800 in total; plus up to 2 L of alcohol worth up to US$400, 200 cigarettes and 100 ml of perfume (no liquor or cigarette allowance under 19). Cash or other means of payment over US$10,000 must be declared.
Sources (checked 2026-10-01): VisitKorea — Duty free & tax refunds · VisitKorea — Tax refund guide · Incheon Airport — Tax refund · Korea Customs — export confirmation · Korea Customs — traveler allowance · VisitKorea — Tax refund guide (methods) · Restriction of Special Taxation Act Art. 107-2 (hotel VAT) · Art. 107-3 (cosmetic procedures). Rules and prices change — the official page wins if it differs. Page rebuilt 2026-10-01.
