Do I have to declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) at South Korea customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 항공기내 반입금지 물품. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “소화기, 드라이아이스, 최루가스 등 드라이아이스는 1인당 2.5kg에 한해 이산화탄소 배출이 용이하도록 안전하게 포장된 경우 항공사 승인 하에 반입가능”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), 12 limit it and 8 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) into South Korea only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 2.5 kilogram

What you need to know

2.5 kilogram (5.51 lb)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

항공기내 반입금지 물품 국토교통부 (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), 항공보안정보통

Questions about Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) in South Korea

How much dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea allows 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) at South Korea customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the South Korea allowance for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 항공기내 반입금지 물품. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “소화기, 드라이아이스, 최루가스 등 드라이아이스는 1인당 2.5kg에 한해 이산화탄소 배출이 용이하도록 안전하게 포장된 경우 항공사 승인 하에 반입가능”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), 12 limit it and 8 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

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