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squirrelbait
Joined: 16 Jul 2010
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 Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:55 am Post subject: Confused by customs |
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So I've googled my little heart out trying to find the answers to my questions about customs and I am still not sure. So, I'm hoping that someone who has done this before can straighten me out.
1. So My fianc� and I are moving to Korea with 2 iPads. We haven't bought them yet, but when we do we will keep the receipts because I hear that's a good idea. I also read that it was a good idea to declare these items when you enter the country so you won�t have any problem taking them back out with you. But then to confuse me, I heard that we shouldn't sweat it because customs doesn't care about folks with E-2 visas brining laptops. Thoughts? (Also, please no comments about your opinion of the iPad, I don't care)
2. I use some prescription meds for acne that I cannot live without because they work wonders. I plan to bring a year supply as long as my doc and my pharmacy will let me. That will be like 6 or 8 bottles of face wash and a couple other tubes of stuff. Is that going to raise red flags? Should I declare this stuff? I plan to talk to my doctor about getting a copy of my prescription, but I'm still nervous about making it through customs. I don't want that stuff to be confiscated - it's expensive.
Other than that I'm just brining clothes, shoes, mass quantities of hygiene products that I'm sure can't be found there, cheap jewelry, and some makeup. I might bring a camera, but I bet the answers about the iPad will be the same for the camera. I would also appreciate any tips you may have that aren't very obvious about customs in general.
Thanks so much!
Squirrel Bait |
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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You *can* register your electronics with Customs in your home country before you leave. I have, but have never been questioned. If it's obvious they are for personal use, you should have no problems.
You should also have no problems with the acne medication. Especially if it's in tubes and bottles. You should carry the prescription and might want to take it out of the boxes if any and break it up between your bags in case one gets lost, but I've never had any problem with large quantities of prescription and non-prescription meds. |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| The meds I wouldn't worry about but bring your prescription sheet. Very doubtful they would stop you over those. iPads are the same deal. Just put them in your carryon and bring them in. Mailing iPads seemed to generate a fuss a while back when the inane KCC didnt clear it for Korean usage. You should be fine! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Confused by customs |
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| squirrelbait wrote: |
So I've googled my little heart out trying to find the answers to my questions about customs and I am still not sure. So, I'm hoping that someone who has done this before can straighten me out.
1. So My fianc� and I are moving to Korea with 2 iPads. We haven't bought them yet, but when we do we will keep the receipts because I hear that's a good idea. I also read that it was a good idea to declare these items when you enter the country so you won�t have any problem taking them back out with you. But then to confuse me, I heard that we shouldn't sweat it because customs doesn't care about folks with E-2 visas brining laptops. Thoughts? (Also, please no comments about your opinion of the iPad, I don't care)
2. I use some prescription meds for acne that I cannot live without because they work wonders. I plan to bring a year supply as long as my doc and my pharmacy will let me. That will be like 6 or 8 bottles of face wash and a couple other tubes of stuff. Is that going to raise red flags? Should I declare this stuff? I plan to talk to my doctor about getting a copy of my prescription, but I'm still nervous about making it through customs. I don't want that stuff to be confiscated - it's expensive.
Other than that I'm just bringing clothes, shoes, mass quantities of hygiene products that I'm sure can't be found there, cheap jewelry, and some makeup. I might bring a camera, but I bet the answers about the iPad will be the same for the camera. I would also appreciate any tips you may have that aren't very obvious about customs in general.
Thanks so much!
Squirrel Bait |
1) this is a non-issue. Personal laptops are common amongst air travelers and they aren't even looked at by customs officials.
Depending on where you are coming FROM you may want to register them with your OWN country so you don't have problems on your return.
If you are Canadian it is a again a non-issue because if you are out for more than a year your duty free goes up to $10,750.
2) you won't have any problems with wash and tubes of cream as long as it is in your checked baggage. You won't be able to take it carry-on. Just make sure it is in the original packaging.
As a foreigner re-locating to Korea they (customs) won't even look at the stuff (in terms of value) that you bring in because they fully expect you to take it away with you when you leave (you are not importing it for re-sale).
Cameras, laptops, jewelry etc are expected when you travel. You MAY need proof of prior ownership when you return to your home country to avoid import duties going home.
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: Confused by customs |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| squirrelbait wrote: |
So I've googled my little heart out trying to find the answers to my questions about customs and I am still not sure. So, I'm hoping that someone who has done this before can straighten me out.
1. So My fianc� and I are moving to Korea with 2 iPads. We haven't bought them yet, but when we do we will keep the receipts because I hear that's a good idea. I also read that it was a good idea to declare these items when you enter the country so you won�t have any problem taking them back out with you. But then to confuse me, I heard that we shouldn't sweat it because customs doesn't care about folks with E-2 visas brining laptops. Thoughts? (Also, please no comments about your opinion of the iPad, I don't care)
2. I use some prescription meds for acne that I cannot live without because they work wonders. I plan to bring a year supply as long as my doc and my pharmacy will let me. That will be like 6 or 8 bottles of face wash and a couple other tubes of stuff. Is that going to raise red flags? Should I declare this stuff? I plan to talk to my doctor about getting a copy of my prescription, but I'm still nervous about making it through customs. I don't want that stuff to be confiscated - it's expensive.
Other than that I'm just bringing clothes, shoes, mass quantities of hygiene products that I'm sure can't be found there, cheap jewelry, and some makeup. I might bring a camera, but I bet the answers about the iPad will be the same for the camera. I would also appreciate any tips you may have that aren't very obvious about customs in general.
Thanks so much!
Squirrel Bait |
1) this is a non-issue. Personal laptops are common amongst air travelers and they aren't even looked at by customs officials.
Depending on where you are coming FROM you may want to register them with your OWN country so you don't have problems on your return.
If you are Canadian it is a again a non-issue because if you are out for more than a year your duty free goes up to $10,750.
2) you won't have any problems with wash and tubes of cream as long as it is in your checked baggage. You won't be able to take it carry-on. Just make sure it is in the original packaging.
As a foreigner re-locating to Korea they (customs) won't even look at the stuff (in terms of value) that you bring in because they fully expect you to take it away with you when you leave (you are not importing it for re-sale).
Cameras, laptops, jewelry etc are expected when you travel. You MAY need proof of prior ownership [b]when you return to your home country to avoid import duties going home.[/b]. |
How could you show proof of ownership when you have been in Korea for a year and brought the laptop over to Korea with you? My computer is about 2 years old and I do not have my old receipt.  |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:08 pm Post subject: Re: Confused by customs |
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| hochhasd wrote: |
How could you show proof of ownership when you have been in Korea for a year and brought the laptop over to Korea with you? My computer is about 2 years old and I do not have my old receipt. |
Customs won't even look at it. Just another traveler with their notebook/laptop.
They are about as common as briefcases used to be.
If you were carrying 5 of them it might be a different matter.
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