South Korea Import Restrictions
In order to enter South Korea, certain goods are subject to specific controls and, regardless of their value and quantity, they require the consent of South Korea government, preferably, license must be obtained prior to passage through the customs, preventing the goods from being retained. On this page, you will see what kinds of items are prohibited from entering the South Korea, and which items need special documentation before exporting to South Korea.
Import regulations
Senders should determine import restrictions from Republic of Korea authorities before posting:
- All propaganda and goods from North Korea
- Animals and animal products
- Books, publications, films, video
- Coins, banknotes and currency
- Foodstuffs
- Knives
- Narcotics
- Printed matter
- Plant and plant products
- Radio equipment
- Seeds
- Soil Samples and Soil in general
- Swords
- Telecommunications equipment
- War material
- Weapons.
Special documentation requirements
Small items to a value of 70,000 won are admitted free of duty if appropriately labelled gift, sample, goods returned, temporary import, and so on.
Prohibitions
In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Republic of Korea prohibits:
- Animals and animal products
- Arms and ammunition and parts thereof
- Beverages and spirits
- Cereals
- Dairy products
- Electrical machinery
- Foodstuffs
- Furs and animal skins
- Medical equipment
- Meat products
- Natural honey
- Natural or cultured pearls
- Optical, photographic and cinematographic materials
- Oil products and seeds
- Plastics and articles thereof
- Plants and plant products
- Precious and semi-precious stones and metals
- Raw hides and skins
- Some vehicles and articles thereof.
Transporting food of any kind is prohibited under ECI Platinum.
