Customs is separate from quarantine. Quarantine asks whether an item is a disease risk; customs asks whether duty is owed. Both are declared on arrival, and clearing one does not clear the other.
The allowances
- General goods: US$800 in total taxable value
- Alcohol: up to 2 litres in total and US$400, counted separately from the general allowance
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes
- Perfume: 100 ml
Age limit
Travellers under 19 years of age — counted by year of birth, not by birthday — do not receive the alcohol and tobacco exemptions. This trips up families who assume a teenager's allowance can be used.
If you are over the limit
Declare it. Duty and tax are worked out on the excess. Not declaring goods above the allowance is a separate problem from the duty itself, and a more expensive one.
Source: Korea Customs Service — Duty-free allowance for travellers
Duty-free bought on the way into Korea still counts towards the allowance. Buying airside does not exempt it.
More about K-ETA
What is K-ETA
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorisation for visa-free travellers to South Korea. What it is, who it applies to, and why many nationalities do not need it right now.
Do I need K-ETA?
Many nationalities are temporarily exempt from K-ETA. How to check your own passport, and what applies if you are not exempt.
How to apply
Applying for K-ETA on the official site: what you need in front of you, where people get stuck, and what happens after you submit.
Cost
What K-ETA actually costs on the official site, why third-party sites charge more, and when the cost is zero.
What you need
What you must have ready to complete a K-ETA application, and the photo and name rules that cause most rejections.
Processing time
Official guidance on K-ETA processing, what makes it slower, and why no paid service can speed it up.