Do I have to declare printed and recorded material at South Korea customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare printed and recorded material 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 printed and recorded material 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 printed and recorded material out of South Korea?

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

Does the South Korea limit for printed and recorded material 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 Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Books, photos, videotape, film, LD, CD, CD-ROM, etc that violate the state constitution, public security, and social customs”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on printed and recorded material?

Of the 19 countries covered here, 4 prohibit printed and recorded material, 4 limit it and 11 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

Can I bring printed and recorded material to South Korea?

Official classification: Printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions

Declare

You can bring printed and recorded material into South Korea, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

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

Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers Korea Customs Service

Questions about Printed matter and media harmful to public order in South Korea

Do I have to declare printed and recorded material at South Korea customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare printed and recorded material 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 printed and recorded material 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 printed and recorded material out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking printed and recorded material out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for printed and recorded material 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 Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Books, photos, videotape, film, LD, CD, CD-ROM, etc that violate the state constitution, public security, and social customs”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on printed and recorded material?: Of the 19 countries covered here, 4 prohibit printed and recorded material, 4 limit it and 11 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

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