Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jenrose]

I am planning a trip to Thailand soon, and am thinking of purchasing some electronics there.. Does anyone know what the customs regulations are for Korea when coming back? How much can you bring back into the country without paying duty, or whatever it is you have to do? If you could just direct me to a place to get the info that would be great too! Thanks!

[sadsac]

I don't know of a thread, but do beware, duties on goods here are horrendous. I purchased a camera lens from Oz and the duty on a $300.00 lens was 170,000won. I sent it back home, it wasn't woth the duty payment. I believe though that over USD$400.00, you start paying duty.

[Walter Mitty]

Quite simply - LIE!

I've never declared anything, and (fortunately) have never gotten busted. The only time I was ever worried was coming back from Japan two months ago. I'd bought a new laptop and could imagine the reaming I'd have taken on it.

The only customs rule I make it a point to follow is declaring items on departure. There's a form you can fill out when you leave to protect yourself from duties on high-value items you already own that you'll be bringing back with you - cameras, computers, MP3 players and the like. You have to show the clerk the items and the serial numbers. They'll fill out the form and have you sign it. With this form, if you get stopped by customs on your way back into Korea, you don't have to worry about getting stuck for duties on stuff you already own. (New items are another matter though.)

Good luck!

[just because]

What customs?????

Especially Busan, it s bit of a joke here, especially after they are so worried about being a terrorist target. Has improved though since when I first got here.

[wylde]

i carried in a digital tv decoder (or something like it) for an ajuma in 2002, they stopped me and asked me a few questions, i said it cost 100,000 won (it was worth well over a million won i found out later) and the guy nearly fell over... he said something like 'no joking, really, how much?' and i said.. ooohh.. i dunno, i get confused when changing from yen to won to dollars.. he said 'ok. bye'.

that was at busan ferry terminal...

i don't know the dollar value before duty is incurred but they said nothing about the tv thing and that cost heaps

[desultude]

There is a posting somewhere in the archives that discusses this issue. As a resident alien, you are allowed to bring back a certain amount of goods, including electronics for your personal use, duty free. Find out the rules.

Yes, they have never checked me either. But, I am sure they check occasionally. Since what you will be bringing may very well be legal, why not find out in advance, and do it legally?

[jaebea]

It's pretty much the same wherever you go isn't it? Australia is pretty harsh on the tax thing on the way in too.

This recent trip, I had a few hundred worth of gifts and booze. I wasn't sure how much so I did the right thing and checked "Yes" to the checkbox regarding bringing in gifts and stuff over $400 AUD.

The bloke took a look at the form, asked me what I had. I told him it was just perfume and some liquor. He asked me how much it was. I said "I'd say about 400 bucks, but I'm not sure so that's why I checked it.". He just waved me through.

jae.

[crazylemongirl]

yeah I agree, declare stuff and they are far more likely to wave you through.