Do I have to declare prohibited telecommunication 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 telecommunication 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 telecommunication 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 telecommunication equipment out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for prohibited telecommunication 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 telecommunication equipment?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 7 prohibit prohibited telecommunication equipment, 12 limit it and 1 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Prohibited telecommunication equipment can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Prohibited telecommunication equipment into South Korea only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

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

Last verified 2026-09-19

통합공고 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Questions about Prohibited telecommunication equipment in South Korea

Do I have to declare prohibited telecommunication 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 telecommunication 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 telecommunication 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 telecommunication equipment out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking prohibited telecommunication equipment out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for prohibited telecommunication 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 telecommunication equipment?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 7 prohibit prohibited telecommunication equipment, 12 limit it and 1 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

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