Do I have to declare cut/loose tobacco at South Korea customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare cut/loose tobacco 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 cut/loose tobacco?

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 cut/loose tobacco 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 cut/loose tobacco allowance in South Korea?

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

Can I take cut/loose tobacco out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for cut/loose tobacco 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 국가법령정보센터 | 조문정보. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does South Korea compare with other countries on cut/loose tobacco?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cut/loose tobacco, 11 limit it and 9 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cut/loose tobacco can I bring into South Korea?

Allowed

You can bring Cut/loose tobacco into South Korea without a special limit.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Not required

Limit 250 gram

What you need to know

250 gram (8.82 oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

국가법령정보센터 | 조문정보 국가법령정보센터

Questions about Cut/loose tobacco in South Korea

How much cut/loose tobacco can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 250 grams of cut/loose tobacco per traveller without duty. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare cut/loose tobacco at South Korea customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare cut/loose tobacco 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 cut/loose tobacco?: 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 cut/loose tobacco 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 cut/loose tobacco allowance in South Korea?: Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cut/loose tobacco at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take cut/loose tobacco out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking cut/loose tobacco out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for cut/loose tobacco 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 국가법령정보센터 | 조문정보. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does South Korea compare with other countries on cut/loose tobacco?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cut/loose tobacco, 11 limit it and 9 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

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