Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sadsac]

My wife and I just purchased some additional footwear and clothing through Footlocker in the US. This is the 5th time in 6 years that we have done so. One would assume that it wouldn't be a problem. Oh how wrong we were. I receive a notice from the Korean Customs Service, which was a surprise, the other element is that there is nil translation regarding what is required of me: per say, you must do this or that. I show it to one of my Korean adult students who is a governement worker and he is baffled by the notice. He also doean't understand what is required. He thinks that they are stating that I must pay an import duty on my order because they consider it to be of commercial quantities. I'm a big guy, I wear XXXL gear and take a size 13 runner, so sourcing clothing in this society of the undernourished is a nightmare. Before anybody starts in, I live in Jeollanam-do and Seoul is 4 hours away and Busan 2 hours away and I prefer to spend as little time as possible in either place. Purchasing from Footlocker online is convenient and about 70% cheaper, even accounting for postage. It's just frustrating that nothing can be simple or straight forward. Had I have had similar problems in the past, I would expect to have the same problem now, but that is not the case. How many other have experienced this type of random stupidity by a government department? I am curious to know.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If you're only talking about customs, being an E2 holder entering Korea is comparable to being a citizen entering Canada, and much less troublesome than being a student visa holder entering the US.

[butlerian]

The question and answers are a bit confusing. You ask if something is "more" or "less" but then provide optional answers of "yes" or "no". That doesn't really make sense

[Captain Corea]

So you bought alot of stuff and customs stopped it....

how exactly is that stupidity?

[ajgeddes]

[crazylemongirl]

Keep you individual orders to under $150US that should avoid the custom fees.

[billybrobby]

[sadsac]

I didn't purchase a lot of stuff, some T-shirts, runners, Polo shirts and my wife purchased a saftey vest and some sweats. I purchase the majority of my clothing overseas, it's convenient. Up until this time, there has never been a problem. My point is, "Why now?"! It's just frustrating that for years there is never a problem and now there is.

[mindmetoo]

Korea levies high duty on clothes you order abroad. What they stop and maybe search and charge you on is random, but you should be prepared to pay anyway.

[Homer]

[mack the knife]

Let me solve your problem in exactly TWO easy steps.

When you order goods from back home, send them to your folks' place first. Have them write the value of the goods as something negligible, such as $50, then have them send it.

You will never be charged anything by customs. I've had a million things sent over here, including expensive clothes, etc.

On the other hand, when my buddy had his $3000 notebook computer sent over here they wanted to charge him, so his Korean girlfriend called customs, chewed their asses, and no duties were charged...

Korean authorities are p*ssies, and this is FACT.

[ajgeddes]

[mindmetoo]

I have no data to support this, but you can also have it mailed to your school with "teacher" added. Educational materials are duty free. Might pass their notice.

[sadsac]

Further to the saga. I have now been advised that the tax due on my notebook is 10%, which will equate to about 60,000 won, but the tax on my clothing will run anywhere between 25 - 40% depending on the materials used in the clothes. I am still baffled and confused. The notebook went via my In-laws as do all the electronics I purchase back in Oz. Even my Korean friend who rang and spoke to them for 40 minutes yesterday couldn't get a satifactory answer from the customs officer.

[Corporal]