Do I have to declare meat and fish 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 fish 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 meat and fish?

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 meat and fish 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 fish out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for meat and fish 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 fish?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 3 prohibit meat and fish, 15 limit it and 2 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Meat and fish can I bring into South Korea?

Declare

You can bring Meat and fish into South Korea, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

Limit 100,000 KRW

What you need to know

5 kilogram (11.02 lb)
Value cap: 100,000 KRW
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 and fish in South Korea

How much meat and fish can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows meat and fish to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 5 kilograms of meat and fish. The allowance is capped at 100,000 KRW in total value. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare meat and fish 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 fish 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 meat and fish?: 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 meat and fish 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 fish out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking meat and fish out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for meat and fish 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 fish?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 3 prohibit meat and fish, 15 limit it and 2 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

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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

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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