Do I have to declare roasted or ground coffee at South Korea customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare roasted or ground coffee 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 roasted or ground coffee 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 roasted or ground coffee out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking roasted or ground coffee out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for roasted or ground coffee 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 휴대품 통관. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “동물(고기·가죽·털을 포함한다), 식물, 과일, 채소류, 살아있는 수산생물, 농림축수산물(가공품을 포함한다), 그 밖의 식품류”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on roasted or ground coffee?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit roasted or ground coffee, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much Roasted or ground coffee can I bring into South Korea?

Declare

You can bring Roasted or ground coffee into South Korea, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

Declaration Required

Limit 800 USD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 800 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

여행자 휴대품 통관 Korea Customs Service

Questions about Roasted or ground coffee in South Korea

How much roasted or ground coffee can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows roasted or ground coffee to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 800 USD. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare roasted or ground coffee at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare roasted or ground coffee 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 roasted or ground coffee 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 roasted or ground coffee out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking roasted or ground coffee out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for roasted or ground coffee 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 휴대품 통관. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “동물(고기·가죽·털을 포함한다), 식물, 과일, 채소류, 살아있는 수산생물, 농림축수산물(가공품을 포함한다), 그 밖의 식품류”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on roasted or ground coffee?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit roasted or ground coffee, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

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