Do I have to declare beer or ale at South Korea customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare beer or ale in South Korea?

Under 관세법 제81조제1항제1호, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. Under 관세법 제282조제2항, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under 관세법 제241조제5항제1호: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for beer or ale?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship beer or ale to South Korea instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Is there a minimum age for the beer or ale allowance in South Korea?

Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for beer or ale at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take beer or ale out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking beer or ale out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for beer or ale apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

관세청 (Korea Customs Service) states it in 여행자 및 승무원 휴대품 통관에 관한 고시. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “가. 술: 전체 용량 2리터(ℓ) 이하(총 가격이 미화 400달러 이하의 것으로 한정한다). 다만, 반입한 술의 합계 용량 또는 총 가격이 면세범위를 초과한 경우라도 면세범위 내의 술(병 기준)은 면세할 수 있으며 그 외 면세범위를 초과하는 구간에 있는 술은 전체 취득가격에 대하여 과세한다.”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on beer or ale?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit beer or ale, 8 limit it and 11 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much Beer or ale can I bring into South Korea?

Allowed

You can bring Beer or ale into South Korea without a special limit.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Not required

Limit 400 USD

What you need to know

2 liter (67.63 US fl oz)
Value cap: 400 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

여행자 및 승무원 휴대품 통관에 관한 고시 Korea Customs Service

Questions about Beer or ale in South Korea

How much beer or ale can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 2 liters of beer or ale per traveller without duty. The allowance is capped at 400 USD in total value. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare beer or ale at South Korea customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare beer or ale in South Korea?: Under 관세법 제81조제1항제1호, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. Under 관세법 제282조제2항, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under 관세법 제241조제5항제1호: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for beer or ale?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship beer or ale to South Korea instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Is there a minimum age for the beer or ale allowance in South Korea?: Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for beer or ale at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take beer or ale out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking beer or ale out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for beer or ale apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) states it in 여행자 및 승무원 휴대품 통관에 관한 고시. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “가. 술: 전체 용량 2리터(ℓ) 이하(총 가격이 미화 400달러 이하의 것으로 한정한다). 다만, 반입한 술의 합계 용량 또는 총 가격이 면세범위를 초과한 경우라도 면세범위 내의 술(병 기준)은 면세할 수 있으며 그 외 면세범위를 초과하는 구간에 있는 술은 전체 취득가격에 대하여 과세한다.”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on beer or ale?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit beer or ale, 8 limit it and 11 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol Alcoholic beverages (all types) Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) Alcoholic beverages (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV