What happens if I do not declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in South Korea?

If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, an administrative fine is imposed. An administrative fine is imposed.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?

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 alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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.

Where does this rule come from?

관세청 (Korea Customs Service) states it in 여행자 휴대품 통관. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “위항과 별도로 주류(전체 용량이 2L이하이고 총 가격이 미화 400달러 이하), 필터담배 200개비, 전자담배 니코틴용액20ml(니코틴함량 1%미만), 향수 100ml 만 19세 미만(출생년도 기준) 미성년자는 주류, 담배 면세범위 없음”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) into South Korea only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 400 USD

What you need to know

2 liter (67.63 US fl oz)
Value cap: 400 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler
All of these allowances apply at the same time and do not share a combined cap.

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.

If you do not declare

Step 1: Standard duty
Step 2: Administrative fine
Step 3: Administrative fine

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

여행자 휴대품 통관 Korea Customs Service (관세청)

Questions about Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in South Korea

How much alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 2 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. 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 alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at South Korea customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in South Korea?: If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, an administrative fine is imposed. An administrative fine is imposed.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?: 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 alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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 alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) allowance in South Korea?: Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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 휴대품 통관. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “위항과 별도로 주류(전체 용량이 2L이하이고 총 가격이 미화 400달러 이하), 필터담배 200개비, 전자담배 니코틴용액20ml(니코틴함량 1%미만), 향수 100ml 만 19세 미만(출생년도 기준) 미성년자는 주류, 담배 면세범위 없음”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

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 (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV