CarryRules

Can I bring agency-controlled products to South Korea?

Official classification
Food, plant and animal products under agency control

Declare

You can bring agency-controlled products into South Korea, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare
Declaration Required
Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

  • No stated quantity
  • Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Questions about Agency-controlled food, plant and animal products in South Korea

Do I have to declare agency-controlled products at South Korea customs?
Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.

Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers · verified 2026-09-19

What happens if I do not declare agency-controlled products 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.

Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 관세법 [법률 제21858호, 시행 2026. 8. 11.] · verified 2026-09-20

Can I post or ship agency-controlled products 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.

Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — south-korea postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20

Can I take agency-controlled products out of South Korea?
South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking agency-controlled products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for agency-controlled products apply per person or per family?
Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers · verified 2026-09-19

Where does this rule come from?
관세청 (Korea Customs Service) states it in Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Animal (including meat, skin, and hair), plant, fruit, vegetable, live fish; agricultural, forest, livestock, and fishery products (including processed goods); other foods”

Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers · verified 2026-09-19

How does South Korea compare with other countries on agency-controlled products?
Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit agency-controlled products, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.