Tax refunds for tourists

Korea's tax refund system lets foreign tourists get back the value-added tax and certain other taxes included in the price of goods bought at tax-free shops, as long as the goods are taken out of the country. Korea's VAT rate is 10 percent, and the refund you receive is reduced by service fees. Eligibility and conditions apply.

Tax refunds are mainly for foreign tourists who have stayed in Korea for less than a set period. Overseas Koreans living abroad may also qualify under certain conditions. Foreigners in Korea on long-term visas may not be eligible, so confirm with the store or the airport refund counter.

Tax-free shops usually display a Tax Free sign at the entrance or checkout counter. You will often see them at health and beauty chains, department stores and brand stores popular with tourists. If you do not see a sign, ask the staff before paying whether tax refunds are available.

To qualify, you must spend at least a set minimum amount in a single purchase at one store. The minimum can change when the rules are revised, so check the store's notice or official tourism and tax authority information before paying. Receipts from different stores cannot be combined to reach the minimum.

With an immediate refund, you show your passport when paying at a participating store, and the tax is deducted from the price on the spot. You do not need to process a separate refund at the airport, which is convenient. However, there are limits on the amount per purchase and the total during your stay, so check the conditions.

Even with an immediate refund, you must actually take the goods out of Korea when you leave. If you bought more than the immediate refund limit or also have regular tax refund receipts, you may need to complete separate procedures at the airport. Keep all receipts until you depart.

For a regular tax refund, present your passport and refund receipts at a refund kiosk or counter at the airport when you depart. If you are selected for customs inspection after using the kiosk, you will need to show the goods, so it is safer to finish the process before checking those items in. Allow plenty of time at the airport.

You will need your physical passport, the refund receipts issued by the store and, in some cases, the purchased goods themselves. A photo or copy of your passport may not be accepted, so carry the original when shopping. Keep receipts flat and in a safe place so they do not get lost or damaged.

Goods eligible for a tax refund must be taken out of Korea within a set period from the purchase date. If that period passes, you may not be able to get a refund, so check it against your departure date if you are staying a while. Confirm the exact period in official guidance.

Tax refunds assume the goods are being taken out of the country, so items that have been opened or used could cause problems if customs asks to inspect them. It is safest to keep items that may be inspected unopened until you leave. Follow the airport's guidance for specific rules.

At airport refund counters and kiosks, you can often choose between cash, card and other options. Available methods depend on the refund operator and location, so follow the on-screen instructions. Refunds to a card can take some time before they appear in your account.

Some busy tourist areas, such as Myeongdong, have downtown refund counters where you can receive your refund before departure. These usually require your passport and credit card details, and you may still need to complete an export check when you leave. Locations and conditions can change, so check in advance.

If you had your receipts confirmed by customs at departure but did not finish the refund, some refund operators let you claim later through their mobile site or app. Without that export confirmation, a refund may not be possible, so handling it before leaving is the surest option. Check the back of your receipt or the operator's guidance.

Usually not. The amount you receive is typically the VAT minus service fees charged by the refund operator. The actual refund varies with the purchase amount, the refund method and the operator, so there is no single table that applies everywhere. The expected refund is commonly printed on the tax refund receipt you receive from the store.

If customs may need to inspect the items, complete that check before you hand over your bags. For amounts that do not require inspection, checking the items may be fine. If you are unsure of the order, ask at the airport refund information desk before checking in.

No. Duty-free goods are already sold without certain taxes, so you cannot claim a tax refund on them again. Tax refunds apply to items bought at tax-free shops that sell at regular, tax-inclusive prices. Check your receipts to avoid confusing the two systems.

Losing the refund receipt can make it hard to claim your refund at the airport. Contact the store where you made the purchase or the refund operator to ask whether it can be reissued. Some refunds are now handled electronically, but it is still safest to keep paper receipts until you leave.

You can still claim a refund when leaving by ship, but unlike airports, ports are generally covered by a mailbox system rather than refund counters, according to official tourism guidance. Procedures can differ by departure port. Check the refund operator's and official tourism guidance for your port before you leave.

Foreign students and workers who have stayed in Korea for six months or more are generally not eligible for the tourist tax refund. Exceptions may apply to people who meet separate non-resident criteria, such as overseas Koreans living abroad, so it depends on your situation. Ask the National Tax Service or a refund counter for accurate information.

Always carry your physical passport and mention that you want a tax refund or immediate refund before paying. Keep all receipts together in one place, and arrive at the airport early to allow time for the refund process. Leave items that customs may inspect unopened until you depart.