Korean Job Discussion Forums

[winterfall]

Hey,

I recently picked up the habit of rolling my own cigarettes. It tastes better and its much cheaper by the pack. There was a huge federal tax increase in the States and I stocked up on at a least one year's supply of tobacco at the pre-tax price. Maybe more depending on how much I smoke.

I plan to take as much with me to Korea as I can and have the rest shipped as I need them. Has anyone had experience with customs?

I checked their website and tobacco is listed as taxable but loose tobacco and tubes are generally listed in separate tax brackets because they're parts of cigarettes. I tried calculating the import dues on the nifty online calculator they have. But, it can only be done with 'Cigarettes' and not loose tobacco. On one page they listed pipe tobacco too but, no loose tobacco. So I have no idea what the rates are.

If it makes it easier on customs guys I can have packages of only tobacco or tubes sent. I tried sending emails to them but kept getting a 'Mailbox is full' message and its too expensive to do an international call.

But anyway, I was wondering if anyone else rolls their own cigarettes and had imported their supplies. How is it taxed? And did the products survive the journey?

[Joe666]

The smokes are very cheap here. With the conversion rate, it's just under 2 bucks a pack. A plastic Bic-like lighter is about 10 cents American.

I am not sure about how they will tax the loose tabacco. I do know that some of their import taxes are absurd!!

[D.D.]

You can buy it in Japan when you run out or stock up on it when you have short flights around asia. It is sold in one hotel in Seoul as well.

[winterfall]

Thanks I know cigarette prices are cheap but, it'd be a shame to let my stock go to waste and there's significantly less chemicals when you roll your own.

I just don't know how to get it through customs. Don't know the rates and I'm sure they're going to check the package. I have copies of all my receipts.

[Bibbitybop]

The equivalent of 200 cigarettes (or about 200 grams of loose tobacco) can be brought in duty free. It can also be sent to you in the mail. Bringing about 4 packs is what is legally allowed in one trip/shipment.

A pack of Drum at the Hamilton Hotel shopping center is 18,000 KRW. American Spirit is 20,000 KRW. That's the only place that sells rolling tobacco.

[thrylos]

I get mine shipped in from the US by a friend, no problemo...(most of the time). He uses the padded envelopes and stuffs 7-8 pouches at a time and labels them as a 'gift' on the customs declaration form.

The only time I had a problem (once) was when all the pouches arrived in tact, sans the rolling papers, which were removed from the individually sealed clearwrap. Luckily, I had extra papers from other deliveries and was able to get by 'till the next shipment. Technically, rolling papers are illegal in Korea, but not the tobacco itself...Go figure....

[cruisemonkey]

I've never imported tobacco - I see no point in taking 'coal to Newcastle'.

[i]

When you arrive here, the customs form specifically asks about packs of cigs. If someone carries tobacco in any other form, check no. The chances of being stopped are slim. If stopped, you are on firm ground to say you are not carrying packs of cigs, just tobacco leaves. But then you'd probably have to pay up. But in my experience, they are looking for people importing fruit and meat, not tobacco carriers.
I've seen people who are carrying a Louis Vuitton bag that is 3 times the amount you are allowed to bring in and they are never stopped (and that is one out of 3 bags).

[winterfall]

"The only time I had a problem (once) was when all the pouches arrived in tact, sans the rolling papers, which were removed from the individually sealed clearwrap."

They actually opened each pouch to rip out the rolling paper? That's dedication and really weird. Customs is gonna have fun trying to figure out how to classify blank tubes. They look just like cigarettes with the filter attached and everything but there's no tobacco inside. You stick it on a machine it injects the tobacco with a crank.

I've got some pouches but mostly tins and big cans. They look just like coffee cans either the small ones or tall ones.

Thanks for the locations and prices in Seoul to pick up more. I'm a bit surprised but, by volume and assumed price of shipping. It'll still be cheaper to have it sent to me. 18,000 Won for one pouch is pretty expensive. A pouch should roll roughly a pack - two packs.

[RobLeeTeach]

[Suza]

I bought 40 x 50g pouches of Drum bought in Dubai thru and had no problems.

18,000 is shocking for a pouch!

Is there not a Cigar shop also in Itaewon that sells Drum and Samson tobacco?

[rumdiary]

I've never seen American Spirits.

The cigar shop in the Hamilton carries Drum, but from what I remember the rolling papers were sold seperately and cost almost as much as the tobacco.

I would pack half in my suitcase and mail the rest.

[Suza]

Ive got loads of papers, but have ran out of baccy!