How tax refunds work in Korea

At the shop

• Look for a tax-refund or tax-free sign before paying.
• Ask whether the refund is immediate or requires later processing.
• Present your passport when requested.
• Keep the sales certificate or refund receipt with the original purchase receipt.

Keep the goods available

Korea Customs says refundable goods must be taken out of Korea within three months of purchase. For a customs check, be ready to show your passport, sales certificate and purchased goods. Goods should remain unopened and unused when inspection is required.

At the airport or departure point

1. Arrive with extra time and locate the tax-refund or customs area.
2. Use the self-service kiosk if available.
3. If the kiosk requests inspection, take the goods and documents to Customs before checking the relevant luggage.
4. After export confirmation, follow the refund operator’s instructions for payment.

Common mistakes

Do not pack every refundable item into checked baggage before finding out whether Customs needs to see it. Do not assume that a card receipt alone is enough. Store thresholds, refund operators and payout methods can change, so confirm the instructions printed by the retailer.