How much Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) can I bring into South Korea?
Restricted
You can bring Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) 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
- 여행자 통관 Incheon Main Customs, Korea Customs Service
Questions about Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) in South Korea
- Do I have to declare Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) at South Korea customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) 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 Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) 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 Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) out of South Korea?
- South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the South Korea limit for Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) 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 통관. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “자가사용이 아닌 상용물품으로 판단 될 경우 면세기준 이 적용 되지 않음”
- How does South Korea compare with other countries on Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit), 19 limit it and 0 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 여행자 통관 · 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) — 여행자 통관 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 여행자 통관 · verified 2026-09-19