Tax refunds in Korea: in the shop, downtown or at the airport

Who can claim

• Non-Korean citizens staying in Korea for less than six months.
• Overseas Koreans staying less than three months who have lived abroad for more than two years or have permanent residency abroad.
• Goods must be new (unopened and unused), and you must leave Korea within three months of purchase.
• Not eligible: people staying 6 months or more, diplomats, US military personnel, and purchases under a company name or through an agent.

Refund at the till

1. Show your passportAt a shop with a Tax Refund or Tax Free sign, ask for a tax refund when you pay.
2. Pay without the taxThe tax is taken off the price at the till.
3. Leave KoreaNo separate claim is needed.

Limits for refunds at the till

Each payment must be at least ₩15,000 and under ₩1,000,000, and you can spend up to ₩5,000,000 in total on the trip this way. Above that, claim a regular refund.

Refund after purchase

1. Get a refund voucherBuy at a tax refund shop and ask for the voucher.
2. Claim downtown, or wait for the airportDowntown refund centers and unmanned kiosks need your passport, voucher and a credit card, and take up to ₩6,000,000 per receipt. Downtown booths only refund their own company's vouchers; airport booths take all companies.
3. Customs export confirmationWhen you leave, check in but don't check your bags yet. Show the goods, vouchers and passport to customs to get the export stamp.
4. Check your bags and collectUse the refund counter or kiosk at the airport. Cash refunds are paid in the duty-free area after security.

Airport refund counters

• Incheon T1: near Gate 28, 3F. Staffed 07:00–22:00; kiosks 24 hours.
• Incheon T2: near Gates 225, 249 and 274, 3F. Staffed 07:30–21:30; kiosks 24 hours.
• Gimpo: near Gate 36, 3F. Staffed 06:30–20:00; kiosks 24 hours.
• Gimhae: near Gate 4, 2F. Staffed 06:30–21:00; kiosks 24 hours.
• Jeju: near Gate 16, 3F. Staffed 06:00–22:00.
• Staffed counters at Incheon pay in KRW, USD, CNY or JPY; kiosks pay in KRW, Alipay or WeChat Pay. Locations can change.

Where customs is

• Incheon T1: near counters E and J, 3F.
• Incheon T2: near counters F and G, 3F.
• Gimpo: near Gate 1, 2F. Gimhae: near check-in counter B24, 2F. Jeju: near Gate 5, 3F.

If no counter is open

• Write the refund recipient's details on the voucher and put it in the box on site. The refund goes to your card, Alipay or WeChat Pay within 1–2 months.
• You can also apply on the refund operator's mobile site or app after customs confirmation.
• Refund operators include Global Blue, Global Tax Free, Easy Tax Refund, CubeRefund and eTAX FREE. Look for their logos at the shop entrance or checkout.

FAQ