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

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

What happens if I do not declare meat and dairy 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 and dairy 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 and dairy out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for meat and dairy 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 and dairy?

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

Can I bring meat and dairy to South Korea?

Official classification: Meat, meat products and dairy products

Declare

You can bring meat and dairy 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

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

Related countries

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Quick facts

Jurisdiction: South Korea
Travel mode: Rail

Freshness

Last verified: 2026-09-19
Next review: 2026-12-17

Destination

KR South Korea

All South Korea rules

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