Korean Job Discussion Forums

[slancaster]

I am contemplating a return to Korea for another teaching stint, but would need to bring my herbal dietery supplements critical for supporting my health. (These supplements are not available in Korea.) Last year I was able to bring a small supply to Korea, but, between the unreliable shipping industry and unknown potential issues with Korea's Customs & Immigration department, I did not have any of these supplements sent to me from home, a fact which made for a challenging year, physically speaking. I'm wondering----if I were to pack a year's supply of these herbs (a large supply of encapsulated herbs purchased in bulk, so there would be no marked packaging) in my suitcase, do you think I could get them through? What options do I have? Thanks in advance.

[SeoulFinn]

Why don't you contact the Korea Customs Service and ask if they have something against this herb you are talking about. I think you can contact them anonymously if you want to. But if this herb is burned and inhaled, well, I don't think you can import it!

Korea Customs Service homepage can be found from HERE.

[Dawn]

Bringing stuff through customs is generally no problem as long as you're bringing legal products. That said, I've also had no real problems getting stuff via mail. Customs regulations limit the number of bottles of vitamins/minerals you may import in any single shipment to five. I ordered more than this the first time I placed an international order, and everything was eventually allowed through, but I had to fax a letter to customs explaining the use of everything in the package.

Package values (postage included) may result in import duties. I say "may" because government policy is to charge import duties when total value exceed $120, but this practice isn't always followed.

FedEx tends to be the most reliable method of importing products. You can track your order door-to-door, note any customs snafus, and deal with them promptly. Unfortunately, FedEx also seems to be the most closely monitored shipping method. If package value exceeds $120 or the magic five-bottle limit, you will have to jump through hoops to get it.

Postal mail is slower and untrackable. If a package gets lost in the mail (or stolen out of your mailbox), most online vendors will say "Tough." It's cheaper, though, and is less likely to attract the attention of customs.

UPS, as far as I can tell, combines the worst facets of both shipping methods and charges a premium for doing so. UPS shipments get monitored closely by customs, but tracking on int'l shipments is iffy at best. I had a Christmas present (clothing) lanquish in customs for more than a month because it was over the $120 limit and UPS never bothered contacting me. Their excuse was that I should have contacted them ... never mind that it was a GIFT shipped directly from a third-party vendor and that I had no knowledge of it until my mom asked whether I'd received it.

[OiGirl]

[Dawn]

No idea whether one exists on the books, but it's certainly not enforced. I stocked up last time I was home, and nobody in customs batted an eye.

[some waygug-in]

I guess that answers my question....3 times I've tried to order herbal remidies through the mail...3 times ....nothing.

This stuff is not illegal anywhere at all, I can't understand it.