Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Shauneyz]

Trying to avoid paying $500 in the stores here for a bottle of wine that is $200 back home.

Is it possible to get it shipped here from the US?

[tzechuk]

Yes, but you will have to pay import tax, luxury tax, ordinary VAT etc. etc.

[Shauneyz]

Can I avoid any of that?...ie if its marked as a gift? etc

How much would all of that tax be? I remember I bought a camera + accessories, had it shipped home/here etc, and the tax I payed customs was around $80 when I payed $900 for the whole package.

[thomas pars]

you cannot ship alcohol in the mail.

that being said you can load it up on your checked bags. i brought over 3 bottles of wine and a 1/5 of alcohol.

i think the limit is 2 liters but maybe you could get away with 3 or 4. if you get caught i'm sure the fine wouldn't be too much.

good luck.

[steveinincheon]

You certainly can ship alcohol in the mail, though it's true that its a prohibited item. I have done this more than once before and never had a problem, but if caught the alcohol will be confiscated - though that will be the end of it. I certainly wouldn't risk shipping a very expensive bottle through the mail though. If you are bringing it in your checked bags, you can usually go a bit over the limit without any problems - customs' main concern is with commercial quantities. If you do have to declare just undervalue the price of the bottle - Korean customs agents aren't going to know the difference between top end wine and less expensive bottles.

[Forward Observer]

Four months ago I had three LARGE bottles of whiskey shipped to me via mail. No problems, got them in a week.

[yeti08]

If you are from the United States certain states do not allow alcohol to be shipped. It depends on the state, I have no clue which ones allow and which ones don't, I'll find the link when I get home and supply.

Good luck and let me know how it goes I'd love to get some meade or good bourbon over here, can't see myself going a year without, but I am sure I can.

[Xuanzang]

Wrap it in bubble wrap then in a nice thick sweater or towel.