Tax refund is for eligible tourist purchases
Foreign tourists may be able to receive a refund of tax paid on eligible goods purchased at participating Tax Free or Tax Refund stores.
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Korea Tax Refund Guide for Tourists
Shopping in Korea? This guide explains how tax refunds work for foreign tourists, including eligibility, tax refund receipts, instant tax refunds, airport refund steps, duty free vs tax refund, and what to prepare before leaving Korea.
Quick answer
Keep your receipt and passport
You may need your passport, tax refund receipt, and purchased goods when claiming a refund.
Do it before leaving Korea
Tax refunds are usually processed before departure at airports, port terminals, downtown refund booths, kiosks, or through instant refund at participating stores.
To get a tax refund in Korea
- Shop at a participating Tax Free or Tax Refund store
- Bring your passport when shopping
- Keep your tax refund receipt
- Keep purchased items unused and unopened if required
- Complete the refund process before leaving Korea
Tax refund basics for visitors
Short-term foreign visitors can claim a tax refund on many purchases in Korea, which can return a meaningful percentage of what you spend at participating stores. There are two common systems: immediate deduction at the register for some purchases and refund processing before departure for others.
The exact refund method, minimum purchase conditions, store process, refund provider, customs confirmation, and departure timing can vary. Treat this guide as preparation help and confirm final rules with the store, refund provider, airport, customs, or official travel sources.
About refund estimates
The Tax Refund Calculator estimates how much you can expect back based on your total eligible spending, so you can decide whether the refund process may be worth the time for your trip. It is not an exact refund amount calculator because eligible items, store participation, provider rules, and current regulations may vary.
What is a tax refund in Korea?
A tax refund in Korea allows eligible foreign tourists to receive a refund of certain taxes paid on eligible goods purchased at participating Tax Free or Tax Refund stores.
This is different from duty free shopping. In tax refund shopping, you usually pay the full price including tax first, then claim a refund before leaving Korea.
Tax refund rules, limits, procedures, and participating stores can vary. Always check the store sign, receipt, and official information before travel.
Duty Free vs Tax Refund
Duty free and tax refund are not exactly the same.
Duty free shopping usually means taxes are not applied to the retail price at the time of purchase. Tax refund shopping usually means you pay the tax-included price first and later receive a refund on eligible tax.
| Category | Duty Free | Tax Refund |
|---|---|---|
| When tax benefit happens | Before payment | After payment or immediate refund |
| Typical place | Airport or downtown duty free stores | Participating Tax Free or Tax Refund stores |
| Payment price | Tax may already be excluded | Usually includes tax first |
| Refund process | Usually no separate refund claim | Refund claim may be needed |
| Common user action | Shop at duty free store | Keep receipt and claim refund |
When tax benefit happens
Duty Free: Before payment
Tax Refund: After payment or immediate refund
Typical place
Duty Free: Airport or downtown duty free stores
Tax Refund: Participating Tax Free or Tax Refund stores
Payment price
Duty Free: Tax may already be excluded
Tax Refund: Usually includes tax first
Refund process
Duty Free: Usually no separate refund claim
Tax Refund: Refund claim may be needed
Common user action
Duty Free: Shop at duty free store
Tax Refund: Keep receipt and claim refund
Tax refund in Korea can include regular tax refund and instant tax refund, depending on the store and purchase conditions.
Store types, refund companies, limits, and procedures can vary. Use this table as a simple travel guide, not a legal or tax guarantee.
Who is eligible for a tax refund in Korea?
Tax refunds are generally for eligible foreign tourists or non-residents who purchase eligible goods at participating stores and take those goods out of Korea.
Common eligibility conditions may include shopping at a participating Tax Free or Tax Refund store, meeting the minimum purchase amount, taking purchased goods out of Korea, keeping goods unopened and unused if required, departing within the required period, and meeting visitor or non-resident conditions.
You may be eligible if
- You are a foreign tourist
- You shop at a participating tax refund store
- Your purchase meets the minimum amount
- You keep the tax refund receipt
- You take the purchased goods out of Korea
- You complete the refund process before departure
Minimum purchase amount and key limits
In general, tax refund purchases must meet a minimum purchase amount. Immediate tax refund also has its own purchase limits.
Regular tax refund
Minimum purchase amount
₩15,000 or moreImmediate tax refund
Single payment
₩15,000 or more and less than ₩1,000,000Immediate tax refund trip limit
Total during the trip
No more than ₩5,000,000
Tax refund rules and limits can change. Always check the store, refund receipt, airport information, and official travel information.
Where to do it: airport vs downtown vs instant refund
| Refund method | Best for | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Airport refund | Most travelers before departure | Passport, receipt, goods |
| Downtown refund booth | Travelers who want early refund | Passport, receipt, goods, card |
| Instant refund | Eligible purchases at participating stores | Passport, eligible purchase |
How to get a tax refund in Korea
Shop at a participating store
Look for Tax Free or Tax Refund signs before making your purchase.
Show your passport
Some stores may ask for your passport when issuing a tax refund receipt or processing instant refund.
Ask for a tax refund receipt
Tell the cashier that you want a tax refund and keep your tax refund receipt safely.
Keep the goods unused if required
Purchased goods may need to be unopened and unused when claiming the refund or receiving customs confirmation.
Claim your refund before departure
Use a tax refund counter, kiosk, airport or port terminal refund process, downtown refund booth, or instant refund service depending on your purchase and refund method.
Depart Korea with the goods
Tax refund goods are generally expected to be taken out of Korea.
Airport tax refund process
Many travelers claim tax refunds at the airport before leaving Korea. The exact process may vary depending on the airport, refund company, kiosk, counter, airline check-in process, and whether customs inspection is required.
A common airport process may include checking in, showing your passport and tax refund receipt, receiving export confirmation if required, checking baggage, and receiving the refund at a counter or kiosk.
Airport procedures can vary. Travelers should check signs, kiosk instructions, airline check-in guidance, and official airport or customs information on site.
Airport checklist
- Passport
- Boarding pass
- Tax refund receipt
- Purchased goods
- Payment card used for purchase, if needed
- Enough time before departure
Travel tip
Important: Do not check in your baggage before customs confirmation if your purchased goods need to be inspected.
Do not pack tax refund items deep inside your checked baggage before completing the refund or customs confirmation process. You may need to show the purchased goods.
Downtown tax refund booths
Some tax refund companies operate downtown refund booths in major city areas. These may allow travelers to receive refunds before going to the airport.
Downtown refund booth rules can vary by refund company, purchase amount, receipt, credit card, passport, and goods. Some refunds may still require reporting or confirmation at the airport before departure.
If you use a downtown tax refund booth, check the instructions carefully and keep your receipts until you leave Korea.
Instant tax refund in Korea
Some participating stores may offer instant tax refund. In this case, eligible tourists can receive the tax benefit at the time of purchase instead of claiming the refund later at the airport.
Instant refund is convenient, but it has purchase limits and may only be available at participating stores.
Good for
- Tourists who want a faster refund process
- Small or medium shopping purchases
- Participating stores with instant refund service
You may need
- Passport
- Eligible purchase amount
- Participating store
- Valid tourist status
Limit guide
- Single payment: ₩15,000 or more and less than ₩1,000,000
- Trip total: No more than ₩5,000,000
What items are not eligible?
Not every purchase is eligible for a tax refund. Services, food consumed in Korea, used items, opened items, or items not taken out of Korea may not qualify.
Eligibility can vary depending on the store, product type, refund company, and tax rules. Always check the store sign and tax refund receipt.
Can I open or use items before tax refund?
Some tax refund procedures may require purchased goods to be unopened and unused. If you are not sure, keep the items sealed and available for inspection until the refund or customs confirmation process is complete.
Common mistakes to avoid
Shopping at a non-participating store
Not every store offers tax refund. Check for Tax Free or Tax Refund signs before paying.
Forgetting your passport
Some tax refund processes require your passport at the store or refund counter.
Throwing away the receipt
Keep your tax refund receipt until the refund process is fully completed.
Using or opening the goods
Some refund procedures may require goods to be unopened and unused.
Packing items too early
You may need to show the purchased goods before checking your baggage.
Arriving late at the airport
Tax refund kiosks, counters, or customs confirmation may take time.
Before you leave Korea, check this
- I bought goods at a participating Tax Free or Tax Refund store
- I have my passport
- I kept my tax refund receipt
- I kept the purchased goods available for inspection if needed
- I checked whether I need airport customs confirmation
- I allowed enough time at the airport
- I completed the refund process before departure
Official Korea tax refund information
For official and updated information, check the tax refund and customs information pages below.
VisitKorea Duty Free & Tax Refunds
Official Korea travel information about duty free shopping, tax refunds, eligibility, procedures, instant refund, airport refund, and downtown refund booths.
Open VisitKorea GuideExternal site opens in a new tab.
Korea Customs Service Tax Refund
Official customs information about VAT refund, export confirmation, required documents, passport, tax refund receipt, and purchased goods.
Open Korea Customs GuideExternal site opens in a new tab.
Visit Seoul Tax Refund
Official Seoul travel information about tax refund for foreign tourists shopping in Korea.
Open Visit Seoul GuideExternal site opens in a new tab.
Korea Tax Refund Guide for Tourists FAQ
What is a tax refund in Korea?
A tax refund in Korea allows eligible foreign tourists to receive a refund of certain taxes paid on eligible goods purchased at participating Tax Free or Tax Refund stores.
What is the difference between duty free and tax refund in Korea?
Duty free usually means taxes are not applied at the time of purchase. Tax refund usually means you pay the tax-included price first and later claim a refund on eligible tax.
Who can get a tax refund in Korea?
Eligible foreign tourists or non-residents may be able to get a tax refund when they purchase eligible goods at participating stores and take those goods out of Korea.
What is the minimum purchase amount for Korea tax refund?
In general, the purchase amount must be at least ₩15,000 to be eligible for tax refund. Rules can vary, so check the store and official information.
What is instant tax refund in Korea?
Instant tax refund allows eligible tourists to receive the tax benefit at the time of purchase at participating stores, instead of claiming the refund later at the airport.
What is the instant tax refund limit in Korea?
For instant tax refund, the amount of a single payment generally must be at least ₩15,000 but less than ₩1,000,000, and the total amount during the trip must be no more than ₩5,000,000. Rules can change, so check official information and store guidance.
Do I need my passport for tax refund shopping in Korea?
Yes, you should bring your passport when shopping at tax refund stores. Some stores may need it to issue a tax refund receipt or process instant refund.
Do I need to keep my receipts?
Yes. Keep your tax refund receipts until the refund process is completed and you leave Korea.
Do I need to show the purchased goods at the airport?
You may need to show the purchased goods for customs confirmation. Keep the goods available before checking your baggage.
Can I use the items before getting a tax refund?
Some refund procedures may require purchased goods to be unopened and unused. It is safer not to open or use the items before completing the refund process.
Where can I get my tax refund in Korea?
Tax refunds may be processed at airports, port terminals, tax refund counters, kiosks, downtown refund booths, or participating stores with instant refund service.
Can I get a tax refund at Incheon Airport?
Yes, tax refund counters and kiosks are available at Incheon Airport, but locations and procedures can change. Check airport signs and official information before departure.
Can I get a tax refund after leaving Korea?
In most cases, you should complete the tax refund process before leaving Korea. Some refund methods may process later to a card or mobile payment account, but required confirmation should be completed before departure.
Are all stores in Korea tax free?
No. Only participating stores with Tax Free or Tax Refund signs or eligible receipts can process tax refunds.
Are food and restaurant purchases tax refundable?
Usually, tax refund applies to eligible goods taken out of Korea, not food or services consumed in Korea. Check the store and receipt for eligibility.
How long does a card refund take?
Refund timing can vary depending on the refund company, payment method, and card company. Some refunds may take weeks or longer.