Foreign visitors can get most of Korea's 10% VAT back on purchases of ₩15,000 or more per receipt at stores showing a "Tax Free" or "Tax Refund" sign. Many stores take the tax off at the till if you show your passport (up to ₩1,000,000 per purchase and ₩5,000,000 per trip). For anything else, you claim the refund at a kiosk or counter at the airport before you leave. Keep the goods unused, because customs may ask to see them.
Two ways to get the refund
| Instant refund at the store | Refund when you leave | |
|---|---|---|
| When | At checkout | At the airport or port, before departure |
| What you need | Passport | Passport, refund receipts, and the goods if customs asks |
| Limits | Up to ₩1,000,000 per purchase, ₩5,000,000 per trip | Larger purchases go here |
| Good for | Cosmetics, clothes and souvenirs from big chains | Big-ticket items, stores without instant refunds |
Step by step
Instant refund at the store
- Look for A "Tax Free" or "Tax Refund" sign at the entrance or the till.
- At checkout Say you want tax free and hand over your passport before you pay. The tax is removed from the price.
- Keep The receipt and the goods unused until you leave Korea.
Refund at the airport
- At the store Ask for a tax refund receipt and show your passport.
- At the airport Go to a tax refund kiosk or counter before check-in or after security, depending on the item. Scan your passport and receipts.
- Customs check Some items need a customs stamp or inspection, so leave time and keep those goods in your carry-on until you are done.
- Get paid Choose cash in won or another currency, or a refund to your card, depending on the operator.
Who qualifies
- Visitors Foreign nationals staying in Korea for less than six months.
- Goods Items you take out of Korea within three months of buying them. Food you eat, services and hotel stays do not count.
- Minimum ₩15,000 or more on a single receipt at one store.
Mistakes that cost you the refund
- Opening or using the goods before customs checks them.
- Putting goods that need inspection in checked luggage before you visit customs.
- Arriving at the airport with too little time. Refund lines can be long in the evening.
- Forgetting your passport when shopping; stores need it to apply the refund.
FAQ
Is the refund exactly 10%?
No. Refund operators keep a fee, so what you get back is a bit less than the full VAT. The exact amount is printed on the refund receipt.
Can I combine receipts from different stores to reach ₩15,000?
No. The minimum applies to a single receipt from one store.
Do duty-free shops work the same way?
No. Duty-free shops sell tax-free to departing travelers and hand over goods at the airport. The refund in this guide is for regular stores.
Sources and last check
Limits are from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (instant refund up to ₩1,000,000 per purchase and ₩5,000,000 per trip, in place since 2024) and refund operators' rules, checked on 26 October 2026. Follow the rules printed on your refund receipt, since operators can differ.