Do I have to declare medicine containing stimulant raw materials at South Korea customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare medicine containing stimulant raw materials 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 medicine containing stimulant raw materials 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.

Does the South Korea limit for medicine containing stimulant raw materials 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 Manual on Permit to Bring in Narcotics to Korea. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “To be approved under the provision, any person who will enter into Korea with medicines containing controlled substances should get a permit from the Ministry, regardless of their nationality.”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on medicine containing stimulant raw materials?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicine containing stimulant raw materials, 15 limit it and 5 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Medicine containing stimulant raw materials can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Medicine containing stimulant raw materials into South Korea only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

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

Manual on Permit to Bring in Narcotics to Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Questions about Medicine containing stimulant raw materials in South Korea

Do I have to declare medicine containing stimulant raw materials at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare medicine containing stimulant raw materials 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 medicine containing stimulant raw materials 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 medicine containing stimulant raw materials out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking medicine containing stimulant raw materials out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for medicine containing stimulant raw materials 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 Manual on Permit to Bring in Narcotics to Korea. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “To be approved under the provision, any person who will enter into Korea with medicines containing controlled substances should get a permit from the Ministry, regardless of their nationality.”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on medicine containing stimulant raw materials?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicine containing stimulant raw materials, 15 limit it and 5 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

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