Do I have to declare chewing gum at South Korea customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare chewing gum 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 chewing gum 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 chewing gum out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for chewing gum 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 여행자 및 승무원 휴대품 통관에 관한 고시. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “다음 각 호의 어느 하나에 해당하는 물품을 휴대한 여행자[「COB화물 통관사무처리에 관한 고시」에 따른 쿠리어(이하 "쿠리어"라 한다)를 포함한다]와 승무원은 세관에 자진 신고해야 한다. 9. 동물(고기ㆍ가죽ㆍ털을 포함한다), 식물, 과일, 채소류, 살아있는 수산생물, 농림축수산물(가공품을 포함한다), 그 밖의 식품류”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on chewing gum?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit chewing gum, 5 limit it and 14 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much Chewing gum can I bring into South Korea?

Declare

You can bring Chewing gum 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

여행자 및 승무원 휴대품 통관에 관한 고시 Korea Customs Service

Questions about Chewing gum in South Korea

Do I have to declare chewing gum at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare chewing gum 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 chewing gum 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 chewing gum out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking chewing gum out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for chewing gum 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 여행자 및 승무원 휴대품 통관에 관한 고시. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “다음 각 호의 어느 하나에 해당하는 물품을 휴대한 여행자[「COB화물 통관사무처리에 관한 고시」에 따른 쿠리어(이하 "쿠리어"라 한다)를 포함한다]와 승무원은 세관에 자진 신고해야 한다. 9. 동물(고기ㆍ가죽ㆍ털을 포함한다), 식물, 과일, 채소류, 살아있는 수산생물, 농림축수산물(가공품을 포함한다), 그 밖의 식품류”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on chewing gum?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit chewing gum, 5 limit it and 14 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

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

Chocolate Chocolate and confectionery Instant coffee Processed food Roasted or ground coffee Sugar confectionery