How much Pornographic materials can I bring into South Korea?

Prohibited

You cannot bring Pornographic materials into South Korea.

Carried Not allowed

Declaration Required — surrender

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

여행자 휴대품 통관 Korea Customs Service

Questions about Pornographic materials in South Korea

How many pornographic materials can I bring into South Korea?: pornographic materials may not be brought into South Korea at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare pornographic materials at South Korea customs?: There is nothing to declare — pornographic materials cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.
What happens if I do not declare pornographic materials in South Korea?: Under 관세법 제269조제1항, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence; the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship pornographic materials 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 pornographic materials out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking pornographic materials out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for pornographic materials 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: “반출입 금지 물품 : 음란물, 화폐·채권 기타 유가증권의 위조품·변조품 또는 모조품 등”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on pornographic materials?: Of the 19 countries covered here, 12 prohibit pornographic materials, 3 limit it and 4 let it through. South Korea is among the strictest.

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Australia Canada China France

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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