Do I have to declare knives and bladed weapons at South Korea customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare knives and bladed weapons 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 knives and bladed weapons 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 knives and bladed weapons out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking knives and bladed weapons out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for knives and bladed weapons 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: “총포·도검·화약류·분사기·전자 충격기·석궁(부분품, 모의 또는 장식용을 포함한다), 유독성 또는 방사성물질류 및 감청설비”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on knives and bladed weapons?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 5 prohibit knives and bladed weapons, 15 limit it and 0 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Knives and bladed weapons can I bring into South Korea?

Declare

You can bring Knives and bladed weapons into South Korea, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

Declaration Required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler
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

여행자 휴대품 통관 Korea Customs Service
여행자 및 승무원 휴대품 통관에 관한 고시 Korea Customs Service

Questions about Knives and bladed weapons in South Korea

Do I have to declare knives and bladed weapons at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare knives and bladed weapons 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 knives and bladed weapons 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 knives and bladed weapons out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking knives and bladed weapons out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for knives and bladed weapons 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: “총포·도검·화약류·분사기·전자 충격기·석궁(부분품, 모의 또는 장식용을 포함한다), 유독성 또는 방사성물질류 및 감청설비”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on knives and bladed weapons?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 5 prohibit knives and bladed weapons, 15 limit it and 0 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

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