Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at South Korea customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 관세법 시행령 [별표 2] — 간이세율(제96조 관련). CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “제1호 및 제3호에 불구하고 여행자가 휴대수입하는 물품으로 1인당 과세대상 물품가격의 합산총액이 미화 1천불 이하인 물품”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into South Korea?

Allowed

You can bring Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty into South Korea without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit 1,000 USD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 1,000 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

관세법 시행령 [별표 2] — 간이세율(제96조 관련) Korea Customs Service / National Law Information Center

Questions about Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty in South Korea

How much goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea publishes no quantity limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at South Korea customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 관세법 시행령 [별표 2] — 간이세율(제96조 관련). CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “제1호 및 제3호에 불구하고 여행자가 휴대수입하는 물품으로 1인당 과세대상 물품가격의 합산총액이 미화 1천불 이하인 물품”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

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

Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Audio and video recorder/player Driver and crew border-shop bundle GPS device Game console Gifts and personal goods