South Korea

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of passport (photo, entry stamp, & long term visa pages)
• Detailed inventory / packing list (in English)
• Copy of bill of lading (OBL) or sea waybill / air waybill (AWB)
• Alien registration card (ARC) (from Korean Immigration Office)
• Certificate of entry and exit (returning citizens and accompanying family members only)
• Application for duty exemption issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Korea (diplomats)
• Customs declaration form
• Power of attorney

 

Specific Information

• Passport copy should be a copy of the owner of the goods’ passport, and each of the accompanying family members.
• The ARC must be valid for at least 12 months.
• Goods must arrive at port of entry / airport of entry (POE / AOE) in Korea within 6 months of the owner of the goods’ arrival.
• Clearance should take place at a Customs bonded warehouse (except for diplomats).
• Personal effects cannot be Customs cleared prior to the owner of the goods’ arrival.
• All incoming shipments, excluding diplomatic shipments, are subject to open inspection by the Korean Customs Authority.
  • However, even diplomats, due to container access restriction within Seoul’s four main gates area, must have containers de-vanned and trans-loaded to mover’s van but without inspection.
• Evidence of at least 12 months abroad must be shown in passport (returning citizens).

 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original title
• Original registration certificate
• Copy purchase receipt or invoice
• Insurance policy documents
• Detailed inventory (diplomats)
• Customs duty exemption showing frame number, chassis number, engine number, model, and type (diplomats)

 

Specific Information

• Vehicle must be listed on the inventory with full technical specifications (make, model, chassis number, plate number, etc.)
• Insurance policy should be issued in Korea prior to removing the car from the Customs bonded warehouse.
• In order to register and to drive in South Korea, the vehicle must pass the following Government tests:
• • Emission gas level test
  • Noise and vibration test
  • Type and model approval
• Vehicles cannot be sold or transferred by a diplomat to a non-diplomatic individual for 3 years; however sale or transfer between diplomatic individuals is authorized.
• • If a vehicle is sold or transferred to a non-diplomatic individual by a diplomat, duties and taxes shall be charged by Korean Customs.
• The vehicle must be identified on the detailed inventory.

 

Pets

Documents Required

• Microchip installation showing below information:
• Valid health certificate
• Vaccination record (must include rabies vaccination)
• Proof of identification

 

Specific Information

• Animals will be quarantined upon arrival to South Korea; currently, there is a 10-day quarantine required.
• Animals should have vaccinations at least 30 days prior to import.
• If rabies vaccinations are not older than 30 days, pets must remain in quarantine the 10-days plus the number of days to total 30 full days since the rabies vaccination.

 

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• The following household goods may be imported duty free by persons 19 years and older within the limits indicated:
• • Alcohol (1 L)
  • Cigarettes (200), cigars (50), tobacco (250 g)
  • Perfume (2 oz.)
  • Personal items (gifts, new items, etc. up to $400)
• Firearms, ammunition, and explosive materials, including fireworks (permission from the Korean authorities is required)
• Narcotic and psychotropic drugs
• Animals
• Foodstuff
• • Food items are allowed in sea shipments only.
  • If the owner of the goods is shipping food items ensure all food items are sealed and labeled.
  • Duty free entry for small amounts.
  • The shipment is subject to payment of 20% duty if total amount is too large for a household good shipment.
    • Check with destination agent for more details.
• Plants and plant byproducts (subject to quarantine and approval by the authorities; denial of entry is possible)

 

Prohibited Items

• Illegal drugs
• Pornographic material
• Counterfeit goods or materials
• Subversive and treasonous materials

 

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.