Customs Regulations in Korea South

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Original Passport for each member of the family
• Visa (valid for over one year)
• Work Permit from Embassy stating that customer will be in Korea for over twelve months
• Residence Card for each member of the family or an Employment Certificate (terms of stay should state over two years)
• Inventory (original and one copy) must be legible and include model and serial numbers for ALL electrical appliances
• Insurance Certificate
• Power of Attorney
• Delivery address and contact phone number
• NOTE: CUSTOMER'S CORRECT NAME (AS SHOWN IN PASSPORT) MUST BE SHOWN ON ALL DOCUMENTS OTHERWISE SHIPMENT WILL NOT BE RELEASED BY KOREAN CUSTOMS

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT FOR CUSTOMS EXAMINATION
• All shipments 100% inspected
• Shipment must arrive within six months of customer's arrival (three months if coming from Southeast Asia)
• Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free for foreigners, if intending to reside in Korea for over one year with family or two years alone (immigrant removal). If estimated length of stay is less than two years, shipment is classified as a quasi-immigrant removal, resulting in higher duties
• Used household goods and personal effects duty-free for Koreans if they have lived in a foreign country for over two years alone; or one year with family
• All items (even if used) dutiable if owner does not meet above duty-free criteria
• NOTE: ALL KOREAN CUSTOMS PROCEDURES ARE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED AND CLEARANCE CAN BE OBTAINED ONLY AT BUSAN OR INCHON BY SURFACE; SEOUL OR BUSAN BY AIR

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• New items (less than six months old) or duplicate items are dutiable/taxed
• Any item (new or used) valued over $1,500 is dutiable
• All electrical items, cameras (of any type), foodstuff, musical instruments, pianos, carpet, ski and air cleaners, crystalware and golf clubs, luxurious furniture, mink coats and jewelry are all dutiable
• Alcohol and tobacco products are dutiable
• CD's (five allowed import, any in excess of that must be approved by the Secretary of Culture and Athleticism with a Letter of Recommendation completed by the customer)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Narcotics and medicines without prescriptions
• Firearms, weapons and ammunition (rifles can only be imported with a special permit from the proper Korean authority)
• Pornographic or politically sensitive material
• Imitation banking notes or coins of foreign countries
• Plants must pass inspection in the quarantine office
• Meats and fish

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Motor vehicles are generally dutiable regardless of whether new or used
• Foreign made cars may not be sold or transferred for at least three years
• Boats and motorcycles are dutiable
• Japanese made cars are not allowed to be imported
• Documents required:
  • Original Registration Certificate
  • Original Purchase Receipt or Invoice, with certified purchase amount
  • Work Permit valid for more than one year
  • Passport
  • Customs Declaration
  • Title
  • Insurance Policy
  • Vehicle must be listed on the inventory with full technical specifications (make, model, plate number, year, etc.)

PETS

• Health and Rabies Inoculation Certificates required (must show proof that vaccination was administered at least 30 days prior to flight)
• Quarantine of 30 days required unless imported from a rabies free country, then only a one day quarantine is required
• Documents required:
  • Passport of owner and family

USEFUL INFORMATION

Korean customs do not allow port-to-door delivery of a loose load container. It must be unloaded at the customs bonded warehouse and inspected. After customs clearance, the goods will be transported to the residence by truck.