Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Teabonesteak]

I already have a good whey protein that is really good within Korea but I planned on bringing some back across the border. I have 3 tubs of Greens+, a container of Hemp protein power, some multivitamins and a big tub of proteins plus. I planned on put all this stuff in a bag with all my curriculum books. Has anyone ever had something seized and not given back? I'm worried they might see it as an illegal substance and confiscate it.

Availability of good supplements (in my case ALL organic) are non-existent in Korea from what I researched and I'd be real sad if they took my stuff at the border.

Thoughts? Experiences?

[expat2001]

[Mrs.Lee]

I bring over a ton of supplements, mostly New Chapter. I also prefer organic. I didn't have any problems with customs. Good luck.

[FreedomOffshore]

If you want good supplements then order them inexpensively from
Swanson Health Products or maybe google in Swanson Vitamins
and ask them to mark on the package: "For personal use only"
and they should get to you.

FREEDOM

[D.D.]

Maybe hemp would not be they best stuff to carry on a plane.

[Teabonesteak]

[Chet Wautlands]

Does anyone know where in Seoul one can find decently priced (not GNC) whey protein powder? I'm just looking for chocolate flavoured protein powder.

[eIn07912]

u dont want to get protein here. first of all, its expensive as all hell. i got a 5lb tub from korean gnc (btw, check out my rant on korean gnc) it was $150. i ordered a 5lb tub from bodybuilding.com, just got it today actually, $35. even with express shipping, its tons less.

second of all, they call it "whey protein" but its not. they cut it down with something (as told to me by my former trainer, the most ripped korean ive ever seen, so i'll take his word for it) and it has a lot less pure whey per volume than the real stuff. get a pure why isolate from the states. i use optimum gold standard and im seeing significant results. and it taste hella' better than the local brand.

but remember, it doesnt end at protein. u want to build real muscle that will last and look good, u need to also get on some creatine, nitric oxide, a multi vitamin, and possibly glutamine. if u want to get huge, need to add some waxy maze as well (a fast digesting carbohydrate)

but in the end, its 80% nutrition, 15% training, and 5% supplements. fitness is a way of life, not just powder in a cup.

as to the OP, man i dont know about all that. i imagine customs is gonna give u hell about it. u can actually only bring 6 bottles (regardless of size or contents) through customs at any one time. i had my last order actually rejected by customs just for having a protein tub and a bottle of fat burner in it. it took nearly a day of harassing korean fedex to get it through, but eventually, it did get through. apparently a waegook was abusing that rule a few months back, ordering 6 bottles of different stuff literally every day. the rule is that u can only receive 6 bottles a day, but he was taking that to the extreme. now if they catch ur name or passport number on 2 or more packages inside a month, they get suspicious and will probably reject it. u can bug them until they release it, its just a pain.

hope that helps. keep pounding it out. we're all brothers of the iron. [/quote]

[Dude Ranch]

hey eIn07912,

I checked out the body building.com site. Looks great, good prices.

Did you use the $9.99 International postal service? does that go to korea?

also, I am confused when you say '6 bottles' but in the above you said you had protein tub and fat burner, wouldn't that count only for 'two bottles'?
what if I ordered a bottle of protein, multi vitamins, and one other thing, would that be 3?

[eIn07912]

dude,

yeah that international comes here. i like to use the express shipping (2-5 days) its a bit more expensive, but i just like getting my stuff 3 days after i order it. and bodybuilding.com was cool about double checking with me on my address to make sure they got it right. the guy said they even ship to rural china where the roads have no names, so seoul is a piece of cake.

ok, the customs rule for food, food supplements, and medicine is that a person (passport number) can only receive 6 bottles of anything in one day. that can be 6 tubs of protein, or 5 bottles of n.o.-xplode and a tub of protein, or whatever combination u can come up with. so yes, ur protein, multi, and other thing would be 3.

mine was rejected, but it was a mistake, (i assume). because i had ordered some stuff earlier this month. but when u call fedex usa, they give u the number for fedex korea. then talk to a fedex korea person (most speak english surprisingly well) and bug them for a while until they get it released. theres a few other rules too, about if it costs more than $150 before shipping theres a duty tax (its the standard korean protectionism crap, but it is legal, u just have to keep reminding them of that)

mind u, this was first time i had any problem with customs. ive ordered stuff before and never had an issue. good luck

[Milkman Dan]

I'm getting ready to leave for Korea in March, and I'm getting a stockpile of my usual supplements ready. I was just curious as to what supplements you guys usually have no trouble getting locally without being overcharged - such as fish oil, multivitamins, greens powder, creatine mono etc.

[eIn07912]

[Chet Wautlands]

Hey all,

I can't order off body building.com right now. I'll have that ready to go next month. In the meantime, is there an OK place in Seoul to pick up basic chocolate whey protein. I know the quality will be lower, but I'd like it for now.

[OiGirl]

[shadowrun]

I ordered Fish Oil and Protein through Iherb 2 weeks ago.

The package arrived and someone from Korea Express called and told me in broken english that I needed to pay them a duty of 3000 won to release the package. They said I had to wire them the money but I currently have no bank account and I can't just pay the delivery guy.

One day later another person (with better English) calls and tells me that I need to pay 32000 Won for them to release the package and that I need to go to a bank to complete payment.

Finally we got our Owners wife to call for us but we haven't heard back yet. I was wondering if it really is true that the Duty is only supposed to be charged after $150 or if the Duty limit was lowered and this is why we bumped into this problem. The total cost of our package with shipping from LA was $132.

I'm just wondering if there's a way to get it shipped here easier and what exactly the rules are.