Do I have to declare gifts and personal goods at South Korea customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods 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.

Can I post or ship gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for gifts and personal goods 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 (Traveler's Personal Effects Customs Clearance). CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “여행자 휴대품으로서 각 물품의 과세가격 합계 기준으로 미화 800달러 이하(농축수산물 품목당 5kg, 총량 40kg 이내, 전체 해외취득가격 10만원 이내 포함)”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on gifts and personal goods?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Gifts and personal goods can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Gifts and personal goods into South Korea only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 800 USD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 800 USD
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 2026-09-16

여행자 휴대품 통관 (Traveler's Personal Effects Customs Clearance) 관세청 (Korea Customs Service)

Questions about Gifts and personal goods in South Korea

How much gifts and personal goods can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 800 USD 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 gifts and personal goods at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods 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.
Can I post or ship gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for gifts and personal goods 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 (Traveler's Personal Effects Customs Clearance). CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “여행자 휴대품으로서 각 물품의 과세가격 합계 기준으로 미화 800달러 이하(농축수산물 품목당 5kg, 총량 40kg 이내, 전체 해외취득가격 10만원 이내 포함)”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on gifts and personal goods?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 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

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