Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails)?

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.

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 other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails)?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 1 prohibit other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails), 15 limit it and 5 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) can I bring into South Korea?

Declare

You can bring Other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) 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 Other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) in South Korea

How much other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 5 kilograms of other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails). 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 other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) 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 other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails)?: 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 other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) 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 other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails) 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 other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails)?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 1 prohibit other products of animal origin (honey, live bivalve molluscs, live snails), 15 limit it and 5 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

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