Korean Job Discussion Forums

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

Hey guys,
I was wondering if any of you could let me know whether the following items would cause me a problem in bringing it over to Korea?
- Lots of spices/cooking supplies (Indian food) including spices in individual containers, cooking materials, etc
- Electronics (lots): - external hard drive
- modded xbox
- lots of wires
- digital camera/batteries/charger
- laptop w/ accessories

do you see this stuff causing problems? I'm especially worried about the xbox because it may get taken out cuz they may think it's a bomb Shocked

what happens if they do? Do you guys have any experience with this? The problem is that some of this stuff is pretty expensive stuff but I need to bring most of it because it has some pretty important files on it.
thanks!

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

I brought lots of spices and seasonings and a laptop computer and portable printer. No one asked me any questions at customs.

bluelake · Joined: 01 Dec 2005

I doubt you will have any problems with those things.

T

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

even the xbox?
so i can just throw it in my check-in luggage?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

bluelake · Joined: 01 Dec 2005

My son takes his game cube with him (carry-on) all the time, and never had a problem. He even takes all the controllers, etc. with it. If you are going to put it in check-in, make sure it's a hard-sided case. Also, remember there are many light-fingered baggage handlers all over; still, I have put a few expensive things in check-in with no problems.

T

seoulsucker · Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

[quote="ttompatz"]

Peeping Tom · Joined: 15 Feb 2006

I brought a whole flippin' electronic drumset with me. Had to pay for extra luggage for the case with the hardware in it. It was tagged to be checked by customs, as they were quite curious what it was (same as when I left my home country), but in the end they let it in without any fees, since it was for personal use.

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

pwicked sweet!
yeah, the xbox has a bunch of my recent programs i have written that i hope to continue working on over there... along with the 50 odd games on it and the music an pictures and movies Neutral

thanks for the replies guys! I guess i'll throw it in the check-in with lots and lots of padding Wink

THanks!!

ps - any tips on packing it?

Homer · Guest

No problems....usually.

They might ask you boot up your laptop and check whats on it. Same with the camera and/or x-box.

They asked us once about our digital video camera. We turned it on and put our tapes in one by one...no big deal.

They did that to my brother in Toronto once when he was visiting from Japan.

Cigar_Guy · Joined: 05 Dec 2005

There's one thing you should consider (which people often don't do here) is that whatever you pack when you come here, you're going to have to pack when you go home.

I realized this when I went home for Christmas. I packed a ton of my books that I had finished reading (or otherwise wouldn't need) and other stuff, but then had to figure out what to bring back to Korea with me. I went with as many perishable items as I could (coffee and the like) so that I'd have free space in my bags when I finally go home. Of course, this was all made much worse by the fact that when I came to Korea I could put 70 pounds in each bag, but subsequently they've trimmed it down to only 50 pounds.

Just make sure to leave yourself enough room for any new toys or clothes or anything else that you think you might buy once you get here and want to take home with you (and, of course, don't want to pay to have shipped home).

desultude · Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject:

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

I know this is an old thread, but I'm bringing my Xbox as well and need some tips on packing it. I was just thinking of wrapping it in a lot of bubble wrap and putting it in my check-in luggage. I told my family about this and they're all scared that it will get stolen and recommend that I bring it in my carry-on. The only problem with that is I'm bringing my laptop bag w/ laptop and a few misc. small items inside along with a concert sized (17.25" length) ukulele as my carry-on. I do have a hard case for the ukulele, but it's one of those cheap hard cases. I don't want it to get thrown around if I check it in, but I also don't want my Xbox to get stolen.

Can someone please give me some advice?

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

*bump*

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I have a few good Korean customs stories.

The first time I came to Korea, I was pulled over and searched. Why, you ask? Because I was wandering around asking if I needed to go through customs or not. Stupid, but I had nothing whatsoever of value and had no worries. I hadn't flown a lot internationally, and was clueless. If you don't want to get pulled-over, try to look inconspicuous and motor-on through.

A year later, I left for home and returned with the following on a big-assed cart:

1. A pair of Paradigm mini-monitor speakers
2. A 12" Paradigm PDR-12 subwoofer
3. A mid-sized Onkyo stereo receiver
4. A large carousel Onkyo DVD player
5. Two suitcases full of various other crap

I had taped the CD and the receiver boxes together to make one box, and was still under the weight limit (haha). I had spent the whole plane ride worrying about how much duty I might have to pay, and what I might say that could lessen the fee.

So I arrived at Incheon's baggage caousel and loaded everything on a cart. I tip-toe up to the exit line very, very slowly, but keeping my distance until the right moment. I tried to look as if I was adjusting my cart until I saw most of the customs officials were busy with others. I spotted my big chance. It was a train of Koreans who had two massive carts full of crap -- including coconuts, and what looked like melons. Of course, they were immediately yanked to the side -- a look of sheer glee was in the eyes of the customs agents as they did so. You would have thought that they saw a leg sticking out of a box or something, they were so excited.

While so many of the customs police were occupied, I handed my little card to the customs guy (miraculously, all of my "used" items totaled less than $400 on the card) and sped past.

A female agent broke away from the large Korean booty she had pulled aside and shouted, "What's in there?"

My stomach dropped as I anticipated a long search and lots of fees. I answered, "My stereo."

She responded, "Why didn't you buy it in Korea?"

I had no idea what to say. I was dumbfounded and slightly scared, so I blurted out, "BECAUSE IT'S MINE!"

She looked confused and just let me go. Man, I was sweating!

Laughing