How many tobacco sticks can I bring into South Korea?

South Korea allows 200 tobacco sticks per traveller without duty. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.

Do I have to declare tobacco sticks at South Korea customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare tobacco sticks 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 tobacco sticks?

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 tobacco sticks 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 tobacco sticks allowance in South Korea?

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

Can I take tobacco sticks out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for tobacco sticks 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 지방세법 시행령. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “② 법 제54조제2항에서 “대통령령으로 정하는 범위의 담배”란 다음과 같다. 담배종류 수량 궐련 200개비 엽궐련 50개비 전자담배 니코틴용액 20밀리리터 궐련형 200개비 기타유형 110그램 그 밖의 담배 250그램”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on tobacco sticks?

Of the 19 countries covered here, 2 prohibit tobacco sticks, 7 limit it and 10 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much Tobacco sticks can I bring into South Korea?

Allowed

You can bring Tobacco sticks into South Korea without a special limit.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit 200 piece

What you need to know

200 piece
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

지방세법 시행령 Korea Law Information Center (국가법령정보센터)

Questions about Tobacco sticks in South Korea

How many tobacco sticks can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 200 tobacco sticks per traveller without duty. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare tobacco sticks at South Korea customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare tobacco sticks 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 tobacco sticks?: 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 tobacco sticks 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 tobacco sticks allowance in South Korea?: Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for tobacco sticks at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take tobacco sticks out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking tobacco sticks out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for tobacco sticks 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 지방세법 시행령. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “② 법 제54조제2항에서 “대통령령으로 정하는 범위의 담배”란 다음과 같다. 담배종류 수량 궐련 200개비 엽궐련 50개비 전자담배 니코틴용액 20밀리리터 궐련형 200개비 기타유형 110그램 그 밖의 담배 250그램”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on tobacco sticks?: Of the 19 countries covered here, 2 prohibit tobacco sticks, 7 limit it and 10 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

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