Do I have to declare used articles and personal belongings at South Korea customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare used articles and personal belongings 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 used articles and personal belongings 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 used articles and personal belongings out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for used articles and personal belongings 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: “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 used articles and personal belongings?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit used articles and personal belongings, 5 limit it and 15 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much Used articles and personal belongings can I bring into South Korea?

Allowed

You can bring Used articles and personal belongings into South Korea without a special limit.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Not required

Limit 800 USD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 800 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

여행자 휴대품 통관 Korea Customs Service

Questions about Used articles and personal belongings in South Korea

How much used articles and personal belongings can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea publishes no quantity limit for used articles and personal belongings carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare used articles and personal belongings at South Korea customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare used articles and personal belongings 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 used articles and personal belongings 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 used articles and personal belongings out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking used articles and personal belongings out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for used articles and personal belongings 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: “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 used articles and personal belongings?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit used articles and personal belongings, 5 limit it and 15 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

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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)

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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