Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gyopogirlfromtexas]

I looked on their website and searched this site, and I still couldn't find the answer to the question I'm about to ask.

I was told by the ticket agent that I can only bring limited amounts of lotions, bodyspray, perfume, and vitamins in ziplock bags. I hear vitamins and perfumes are expensive in Korea. She didn't say what that limit was, even though I kept asking, and I can't find the limit on the NW site either. She said there's a limited amount I can bring of beauty products too. Even the Elizabeth Arden creams and lotions. This is driving me crazy now. I have to leave in a week, and I'd like to make my 2nd 50 lb bag full of these things. (I thought there was a liquid/gel (lotion/perfume) limit only on carryons). You need to have it in a ziplock bag even when it's in checked luggage?

My bodysprays and perfumes are in mostly 8 ounce bottles. I was also wondering if can I bring hair bleach, hair dyes, cold medicine (in a ziplock bag) and a glass vial of grapefruit seed extract. Is there a limit on those items too? Anyone have hairdye, vitamins, or perfume/bodyspray confiscated?

Will Listerine (mouthwash) be hard to find? Should I bring that too? I think they might not let me because it's liquid. And a huge pack of tampons and pads. Any ladies use Korean brands? Is it decent? Or tampax is that much better?

I also can't find my laptop or camera receipt, this means I'll have to pay U.S. customs when I come back? They both show obvious use though, so I doubt they'd think it's new.

In the clothes department, I am bringing enough for a year. But will it be hard for a size 7 girl to find clothes? (5'6'' 125 lbs) I have 38 inch hips. I also hate granny underwear and I'm thinking that maybe that's all they sell there. Do they sell thongs in Korea?

[OiGirl]

[pkang0202]

You should be fine. Just go ahead and bring anything. The only time they are gonna ask questions or confiscate is if its blatantly obvious you are bringing stuff into the country to sell. Like 20 bottles of perfume, 10 cans of the same expensive eye cream, etc...

My suggestion is not to worry. Pack everything you need and come on over.

What your ticket agent told you only applies to carry on's. When I flew, my only carry on was a laptop computer and a small bag with my MP3 player and books. Everything else got packed into my suitcases.

[kat2]

Playtex is available here. Don't waste space on tampons.

There aren't any rules for liquids in checked baggages, but it is always a good idea to pack them in plastic bags. I usually haev at least one thing leak/explode and I'm always glad I packed it all in plastic.
As for carryons, you can bring bottles no bigger than 3oz (100ml). All your gels/liquids/lotions/lipgloss/etc must fit in a quart (sandwich) size ziploc bag. They are pretty strict on this. Don't think they are going to let you through with anything more than that.

Listerine is available here as of this spring. Don't pack it.

Yes. There are only grandma panties. Even when they try to design sexy panties, it still comes up to your belly button. Even the thongs. Hit up Victoria's Secret before you come.

[gyopogirlfromtexas]

[gyopogirlfromtexas]

[gyopogirlfromtexas]

[kat2]

No Rue 21. No nothing that I like. I've never once bought underwear here in 3 years, and I'm kind of an underwear aholic in the states. Seriously, buy what you need before you come.

It might be more expensive, but just save yourself the hassle of packing it. It's not going to be 20,000 for a bottle of listerine or anything crazy like that htough. Pack more underwear or brand specific toiletries that you really need instead.

You can wear sexy tops on the weekend, although I wouldn't recommend it if you live in a small town. Busan and Seoul are a lot less conservative than the rest of Korea.

I've brought back tons of makeup and food and stuff. I've never had a problem. Just put it in your checked bags. Put in some clothes and otehr obviously personal (not for resale) items in teh bag too. Otehrwise, they might think you really do intend to sell it all. Luxury brands (elizabeth arden, estee lauder, clinique, etc) have an unbelievable markup here. So buy it before you coem for sure!

You can't carry all that makeup in your purse. Sorry. Just bring the essentials. YOu are going to be making a 20 hour trip, and you don't want to be caked in makeup for that anyway.

As for packing your stuff in plastic bags. They make these huge ziploc bags now that are probably 1.5 feet by 1.5 feet for storing clothes. Those are great b/c you can fit anything in them. Go pick some of those up at your closest Target/walmart/kmart.

[gyopogirlfromtexas]

[OiGirl]

There were two meals on the Detroit-Narita flight. Actually, I mean the Narita-Detroit flight. But NO FREE ALCOHOL! On a trans-pacific flight?!?

You may be able to take snacks you buy in the terminal, past security onto the plane, but this seems to vary. I had no trouble getting all the water I wanted, and this included asking for a glass of water before takeoff so I could take my sleeping pills.

[Spiky]

THey've recently started selling Listerine--3 good size bottles for 15,000 won at Costco in Yangjae, maybe others as well.

[hogwonguy1979]

continental according to my wife makes you pay for booze on the narita-houston flight not sure about the return leg

no limit on liquids in checked luggage, like other people have said to avoid leaking on your clothes plastic bags are a good idea.

My philosophy on carry on is enough clothes for a 3-4 days, vital electronics, meds, reading material and thats it. you dont want to be lugging 40 lbs of stuff through narita