South Korea
South Korea Customs Information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Original passport
- Valid visa
- Work permit acquired from Embassy noting will be in Korea for over 12 months
- Employment certificate or residence card
- Original and one copy of inventory; must include model & serial numbers for all electrical appliances
- Power of attorney
- Insurance certificate
- Contact phone number and delivery address
- CUSTOMER’S LEGAL NAME, AS SHOWN ON PASSPORT REQUIRED TO BE WRITTEN ON ALL DOCUMENTS; OTHERWISE SHIPMENT WILL NOT BE RELEASED.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUIRED FOR CUSTOMS EXAMINATION
- All shipments 100% inspected
- Shipment required to arrive within 6 months of your arrival; 3 months of arrival if coming from Southeast Asia
- Foreigners may import household goods and personal effects duty free if:
- Intend to live in Korea for over 1 year with family, or 2 years alone
- If length of stay is less than 2 years shipment will be classified as quasi-immigrant removal; this results in higher duties.
- Koreans may import household goods and personal effects duty-free if have lived abroad for over 2 years alone or 1 year with family
- All items dutiable if above criteria not met
- Korean customs procedures are tightly controlled, clearance can only be obtained at Busan or Inchon by surface, and at Seoul or Busan by air.
RESTRICTED ITEMS/DUTIABLE
- New items or items in duplicate are taxed/dutiable
- Any used or new items valued over $1,500 is dutiable
- All electronics, musical instruments, foodstuffs, carpet, ski & air cleaners, crystal ware, golf clubs, luxurious furniture, and jewelry are all dutiable
- Tobacco products and alcohol are dutiable
- Allowed to import 5 CDs, any more than 5 must be approved by the Secretary of Culture and Athleticism along with a letter of recommendation completed by customer
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Narcotics
- Medicines without prescription
- Weapons, ammunition and firearms
- Can import rifles with special permit from proper Korean authority
- Politically sensitive or pornographic materials
- Imitation coins or banking notes from foreign countries
- Plants require inspection from quarantine office
- Fish and meats
MOTOR VEHICLES
- Generally dutiable regardless of whether new or used
- May not sell or transfer foreign vehicles for at least 3 years
- Motorcycles and boats are dutiable
- Cannot import Japanese made cars
- The following documents are required:
- Original registration certificate
- Original purchase receipt or invoice, include certified purchase amount
- Passport
- Valid work permit
- Title
- Customs declaration
- Insurance policy
- Must list vehicle on inventory, include full technical specifications such as: model, make, plate number, year, and so on
PETS
- Requires a health and rabies inoculation certificate; must show proof vaccination was given at least 30 days prior to import
- Requires a quarantine period of 30 days, unless imported from rabies free country; which requires one day quarantine.
- Requires owner’s passport
**NOTE- all customs regulations and procedures are subject to change at any time. The above customs information is provided as a brief summary of South Korea customs regulations and applies only to household goods shipments, and is for your general guidance. Hercules Worldwide is not liable for any damage, delays, duties, costs, taxes or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance, omissions or errors. Always check full requirements and restrictions with the local embassy or consulate. **
