How much Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances can I bring into South Korea?
Restricted
You can bring Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances into South Korea only within the stated limits.
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
- 마약성분 함유 의약품 주의사항 Korea Customs Service
Questions about Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances in South Korea
- Do I have to declare medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances at South Korea customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances out of South Korea?
- South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the South Korea limit for medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 마약성분 함유 의약품 주의사항. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “※ 예외적으로, 마약류관리에 관한 법률 시행규칙에 따라 식품의약품안전처장의 승인을 받고 자가치료 목적으로 휴대 출입국하는 경우는 가능.”
- How does South Korea compare with other countries on medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, 18 limit it and 2 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 마약성분 함유 의약품 주의사항 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 관세법 [법률 제21858호, 시행 2026. 8. 11.] · verified 2026-09-20
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — south-korea postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 마약성분 함유 의약품 주의사항 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 마약성분 함유 의약품 주의사항 · verified 2026-09-19