Do I have to declare knives at South Korea customs?

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

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

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

Does the South Korea limit for knives 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 입국시. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “도검은 날길이 15cm 이상인 것이 해당하나, 그 미만인 재크나이프, 비출나이프도 도검에 해당할 수 있음”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on knives?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Knives can I bring into South Korea?

Restricted

You can bring Knives 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

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

입국시 Incheon Main Customs, Korea Customs Service

Questions about Knives in South Korea

Do I have to declare knives at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare knives 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 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 out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for knives 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 입국시. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “도검은 날길이 15cm 이상인 것이 해당하나, 그 미만인 재크나이프, 비출나이프도 도검에 해당할 수 있음”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on knives?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Antique and replica weapons Banned knives and edged weapons Buddha images, artifacts/objects, antiques CITES-protected species and products Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) Consumer fireworks