Entry and Departure

Please note that the information found on the following pages is subject to change without notice.

 

1. Vaccination
 No vaccinations are required to enter Korea from any country. However, vaccinations against cholera
 and yellow fever are recommended for travelers arriving from infected areas.

2. Animal Quarantine

1) All imported animals and animal products are subject to quarantine and inspection at designated animal quarantine services in accordance with the Infectious Animal Diseases Prevention Act. Cloven-hoofed animals and their products that are shipped from import-restricted areas will be reshipped.
2) Areas from which cloven-hoofed animal import is permitted are: U.S.A., Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, U.K., Finland, Australia (limited to areas below 22 degrees South Latitude) and New Zealand.
3) All imported animals are apt to be quarantined for 5 to 40 days, depending on the classification of the animal.
4) Incoming pet dogs and cats which are hand-carried or shipped from countries without a history of rabies will go through paper and clinical inspection, and if not irregularities are found, they will be discharged within a 24-hour period. Animals from countries with a history of rabies will be quarantined for 10 to 40 days.
5) Countries having no rabies history are: Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Cyprus, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Jamaica, Guam, U.S.A. (Hawaii & Samoa only), and U.K. (Great Britain & Northern Island only).

 

3. Plant Quarantine
All plants and plant products from overseas must be declared to the Plant Quarantine Office upon entry. Plants prohibited from entry will be returned or destroyed. Other than prohibited items, the quarantine period for plants and seeds for replanting is 3 to 7 days. However, plants and fruit not for replanting require only 1 or 2 days quarantine.

 

4. Customs       www.customs.go.kr
 An oral or written declaration for baggage must be made to a customs officer upon entry.
   Incheon Airport uses a Triple Channel System for passenger baggage inspection. Those who have no articles to declare should use the Green Channel, those who intend to declare non-duty free articles, the White Channel, and

those carrying restricted or prohibited articles or more than 20 kg of duty-free articles should use the Red Channel.

A) Duty free articles

1) Personal clothing and toiletries
2) Articles originally purchased in Korea that are being brought back in to Korea require a statement to the Customs Office
3) Gifts up to a value 300,000 won
4) 1 bottle (not exceeding 1 liter) of alcoholic beverage
5) 2 ounces of perfume
6) 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 25 g of other kinds of tobacco products

B) Articles Subject to Declaration

1) More than US$10,000 (including traveler's cheques) or the equivalent in foreign currency. It is prohibited to take more than US$10,000 or the equivalent out of Korea unless it was declared at the time of entry.
2) Valuables such as watches, cameras, precious metals, jewels, and furs that are not declared upon entry will be subject to tax upon departure.

C) Prohibited Articles

1) Books, printed matter, cassette tapes and any other articles which are subversive to national security, obscene, or in any way harmful to public interests
2) Counterfeit money or securities

D) Restricted Articles

1) Firearms, explosives, and other weapons
2) Narcotics and drugs
3) Radio equipment (wireless transmitters, receivers, and walkie-talkies)
4) Articles considered to be for commercial use
5) Cultural property

E) Confirmation and Inspection of Cultural Property
 The Cultural Properties Preservation Law prohibits any person from exporting or carrying cultural properties (crafts, paintings, sculptures etc.) out of the country. Any object of questionable cultural value must be brought to the Art and Antiques Assessment Office prior to departure. Only those articles deemed to be of no historic or cultural value may be taken out of the country.

 

5. Airport Tax
 All passengers departing from Korea's international airports are required to pay an airport tax of 15,000 won

About US$13).
  ** For further information, please call passport section at (415) 921-2251, ext. 103.

 

6. Foreigner Registration

A foreigner who wants to stay in Korea longer than 90 days shall register at a district or branch office, which has jurisdiction over his/her place of sojourn within 90 days from the date of arrival.

The foreign registration system is for the clear and effective management of foreigners' stay and identity.