Do I have to declare controlled/prescription medicine at South Korea customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking controlled/prescription medicine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for controlled/prescription medicine 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 자가치료용 마약류 휴대반입 절차 안내 (Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit). CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “자가치료용 마약류를 휴대하고 한국으로 입국하는 자(내·외국민 구분 없음)는 식약처의 취급승인을 받아야 합니다.”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on controlled/prescription medicine?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit controlled/prescription medicine, 18 limit it and 1 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Controlled/prescription medicine can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Controlled/prescription medicine into South Korea only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

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

자가치료용 마약류 휴대반입 절차 안내 (Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit) Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Questions about Controlled/prescription medicine in South Korea

Do I have to declare controlled/prescription medicine at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking controlled/prescription medicine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for controlled/prescription medicine 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 자가치료용 마약류 휴대반입 절차 안내 (Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit). CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “자가치료용 마약류를 휴대하고 한국으로 입국하는 자(내·외국민 구분 없음)는 식약처의 취급승인을 받아야 합니다.”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on controlled/prescription medicine?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit controlled/prescription medicine, 18 limit it and 1 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

Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) Dietary supplements and sports nutrition External-use medicine (personal use) Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances Narcotic and psychotropic medicines