Do I have to declare meat, meat products and dairy products at South Korea customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare meat, meat products and dairy 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.

Can I post or ship meat, meat products and dairy 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.

Can I take meat, meat products and dairy products out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking meat, meat products and dairy products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for meat, meat products and dairy products 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 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”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on meat, meat products and dairy products?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat, meat products and dairy products, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. South Korea is among the strictest.

How much Meat, meat products and dairy products can I bring into South Korea?

Declare

You can bring Meat, meat products and dairy products into South Korea, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

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

Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers Korea Customs Service

Questions about Meat, meat products and dairy products in South Korea

Do I have to declare meat, meat products and dairy products at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare meat, meat products and dairy 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.
Can I post or ship meat, meat products and dairy 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.
Can I take meat, meat products and dairy products out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking meat, meat products and dairy products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for meat, meat products and dairy products 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 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”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on meat, meat products and dairy products?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat, meat products and dairy products, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. South Korea is among the strictest.

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

Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products Cut flowers and wreaths Eggs Fish and other fishery products Food, plant and animal products under agency control