Do I have to declare external-use medicine (personal use) at South Korea customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use)?

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 external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking external-use medicine (personal use) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for external-use medicine (personal use) 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 통관. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “자가사용의약품 : 6병 또는 용법상 3개월 복용량 이내(면세통관 범위인 경우 요건확인 면제)”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on external-use medicine (personal use)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit external-use medicine (personal use), 6 limit it and 14 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much External-use medicine (personal use) can I bring into South Korea?

Allowed

You can bring External-use medicine (personal use) into South Korea without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit 6 piece

What you need to know

6 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

여행자 통관 Incheon Main Customs, Korea Customs Service

Questions about External-use medicine (personal use) in South Korea

How many external-use medicine (personal use) can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 6 external-use medicine (personal use) per traveller without duty. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare external-use medicine (personal use) at South Korea customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use)?: 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 external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking external-use medicine (personal use) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for external-use medicine (personal use) 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 통관. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “자가사용의약품 : 6병 또는 용법상 3개월 복용량 이내(면세통관 범위인 경우 요건확인 면제)”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on external-use medicine (personal use)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit external-use medicine (personal use), 6 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

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