Can I bring prohibited telecommunications equipment to South Korea?
- Official classification
- Prohibited telecommunication equipment
Restricted
You can bring prohibited telecommunications equipment into South Korea only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 통합공고 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Questions about Prohibited telecommunications equipment in South Korea
- Do I have to declare prohibited telecommunications equipment at South Korea customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare prohibited telecommunications equipment 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 prohibited telecommunications equipment 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 prohibited telecommunications equipment out of South Korea?
- South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking prohibited telecommunications equipment out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the South Korea limit for prohibited telecommunications equipment 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 통합공고. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “제239조(적용범위) 이 절은 통신비밀보호법(이하 이 절에서는 "법"이라 한다) 제2조제8호, 제10조에 의해 국가기관이 아닌 자의 감청설비 수입에 관하여 적용한다.”
- How does South Korea compare with other countries on prohibited telecommunications equipment?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 7 prohibit prohibited telecommunications equipment, 12 limit it and 1 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 통합공고 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 관세법 [법률 제21858호, 시행 2026. 8. 11.] · verified 2026-09-20
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — south-korea postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 통합공고 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 통합공고 · verified 2026-09-19