Tax refund
Tax refund in Korea
Refund calculator
Immediate refund at register: ₩15k-30k → ₩1k, ₩30k-50k → ₩2k, ₩50k-75k → ₩4k, ₩75k-100k → ₩5k, then ~7% bracket up to ₩1M per transaction. Above ₩1M it's airport refund only at ~7.5% net of fees.
Quick facts
Two ways to get it
Immediate refund, at the register
Show your passport when paying.
The store deducts the refund instantly.
Works for purchases under ₩1,000,000 per transaction (and total cumulative spend under ₩5M during your stay).
Most Olive Young, GS25, Daiso, ABC-Mart, and large brand shops do this.
Airport refund, for big-ticket items
For receipts ₩1M+, you'll be issued a Tax-Free slip.
At Incheon T1 (near gate 28) or T2 (near gate 249), and Gimpo, scan your passport at a self-service kiosk or counter.
Customs may ask to see the items, so keep them in carry-on if possible.
Refund paid in KRW cash, USD, card, or Alipay/WeChat Pay.
Tips
Passport
Keep your passport on you.
No passport at checkout means no refund.
Photos don't count.
Bring the physical book.
Packaging
Don't open packaging until you're home if you can help it.
Customs at the airport occasionally inspects unopened goods.
Airport timing
Arrive 30 min early for airport refunds.
T1 has long queues at the customs counter on weekend evenings.
Eligibility
Stays ≤ 6 months only.
Long-term residents, students with D-2/D-4, and crew are not eligible.
Save another 2-3% on every swipe
Open the account from home before flying. Both ship a physical card; an app virtual card is usable for Apple Pay / Google Pay immediately.
Updated June 2026.
