Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MANDRL]

I see a lot of stuff online about Coex and duty free shopping. Do you have to be a visitor on a short trip to Korea to shop at these places, or can anyone? What exactly is COEX and duty free mean? Thanks!

[I-am-me]

Last time I went there they told me I would have to pick up the item at the airport on way to my gate. Not sure what anyone else has experienced with it? You also have to show them your passport.

[mikekim]

Duty free means you don't pay the hidden Korean tax and it doesn't count against the $400 limit your home country usually has when you enter customs. Its usually only for really rich people/people who pay customs fees (seriously who does that) who want to import some expensive liquor - which has per-person limits. These stores have some good selection, but you are better off buying with eBay.

[jeffkim1972]

Duty free is not really duty free in Korea.

Although the VAT and customs are waived. if you really check the prices, they are either the same or more expensive. Korea has the most expensive duty free shop compared to any other airport. So i would just wait til i get to another airport.

The Nurian Electronic dictionarys at the ICN airport all say Duty free, but it's the same price if you find them online at the nurian website.

Cheaper if you buy from gmarket. I got my X7 for 215,000 online.

[simone]

COEX itself is just a shopping mall. There's a Convention & Exhibition Center above ground and a mall in the basement. It's mostly Korean restaurants, though.

It's a good place to go on a rainy day, but a lot of people say it doesn't really "feel" like Korea to them. There are some good things, like Uniqlo (japanese clothing brand) and Aimer-Feel (the best darned bra shop in Seoul).

Of course, at Aimer-feel, the gal there practically manhandles you in her personal mission to get you the best fit imaginable. Sizes are different than in the west, so she'll whip out her tape and measure you the instant you walk in the door if you let her...