How much Firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices can I bring into South Korea?
Restricted
You can bring Firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices 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 휴대품 통관 Korea Customs Service (관세청)
Questions about Firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices in South Korea
- Do I have to declare firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices at South Korea customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices 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 firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices 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 firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices out of South Korea?
- South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the South Korea limit for firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices 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 제한 물품 : 총기, 마약, 멸종위기의 야생동식물보호에 관한 국제협약(CITES)에서 규정한 동식물 및 이들의 제품 등 반출입 제한물품은 면세범위와 관계없이 통관에 필요한 제반요건을 구비하여야 함 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 firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 8 prohibit firearms, blades, explosives, toxic/radioactive materials and interception devices, 12 limit it and 0 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 여행자 휴대품 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 휴대품 통관 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 여행자 휴대품 통관 · verified 2026-09-19