How many cigarettes can I bring into South Korea?

South Korea allows 200 cigarettes per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.

Do I have to declare cigarettes at South Korea customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 200 cigarettes there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare cigarettes in South Korea?

If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, an administrative fine is imposed. An administrative fine is imposed.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for cigarettes?

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 cigarettes 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.

Is there a minimum age for the cigarettes allowance in South Korea?

Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cigarettes at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take cigarettes out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for cigarettes 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: “위항과 별도로 주류(전체 용량이 2L이하이고 총 가격이 미화 400달러 이하), 필터담배 200개비, 전자담배 니코틴용액20ml(니코틴함량 1%미만), 향수 100ml 만 19세 미만(출생년도 기준) 미성년자는 주류, 담배 면세범위 없음”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on cigarettes?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigarettes, 17 limit it and 4 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cigarettes can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Cigarettes into South Korea only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 200 piece

What you need to know

200 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler
All of these allowances apply at the same time and do not share a combined cap.

Important

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

If you do not declare

Step 1: Standard duty
Step 2: Administrative fine
Step 3: Administrative fine

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

여행자 휴대품 통관 Korea Customs Service (관세청)

Questions about Cigarettes in South Korea

How many cigarettes can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 200 cigarettes per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare cigarettes at South Korea customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 200 cigarettes there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare cigarettes in South Korea?: If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, an administrative fine is imposed. An administrative fine is imposed.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for cigarettes?: 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 cigarettes 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.
Is there a minimum age for the cigarettes allowance in South Korea?: Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cigarettes at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take cigarettes out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking cigarettes out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for cigarettes 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: “위항과 별도로 주류(전체 용량이 2L이하이고 총 가격이 미화 400달러 이하), 필터담배 200개비, 전자담배 니코틴용액20ml(니코틴함량 1%미만), 향수 100ml 만 19세 미만(출생년도 기준) 미성년자는 주류, 담배 면세범위 없음”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on cigarettes?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigarettes, 17 limit it and 4 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

Cigarillos (cigars weighing not more than 3 g each) Cigars Cigars and other tobacco (by weight) Cuban-origin cigars and other tobacco products Cut/loose tobacco Disposable e-cigarette