Tax Refund in Korea for Tourists: Rules, Limits and How to Claim (2026)
Last updated: October 2026 · Written by the Seoul Travel Tips team, based in Seoul
Korean prices include 10% VAT, and visitors can get part of it back. In practice you’ll receive about 5–8% of the purchase price after operator fees — roughly ₩5,000–8,000 on a ₩100,000 shopping trip. Many stores take it off the price on the spot, so it’s worth knowing the rules before you shop.
The Rules at a Glance
| Who qualifies | Foreign visitors staying in Korea less than 6 months |
| Minimum purchase | ₩15,000 per receipt at a store displaying a Tax Free / Tax Refund sign |
| Instant in-store refund | Purchases under ₩1,000,000 per receipt, up to ₩5,000,000 in total per trip |
| What you get back | About 5–8% of the price (VAT minus operator fees) |
| Deadline | Leave Korea within 3 months of the purchase |
| What to bring | Your passport — stores need it to issue a refund |
Three Ways to Get Your Refund
1. Instant Refund at the Store (Easiest)
At participating stores — most cosmetics shops in Myeongdong, department stores, Olive Young branches in tourist areas and many fashion stores — show your passport at the till and the tax is taken off immediately. Nothing to do at the airport for these purchases, unless your total goes over the trip limit.
Limits: each receipt must be ₩15,000–under ₩1,000,000, and all instant refunds together must stay under ₩5,000,000 for your trip. Above that, use the airport.
2. Downtown Refund Booths and Kiosks
If a store gives you a tax refund receipt instead, you can cash it in before going to the airport at refund booths and kiosks in shopping areas like Myeongdong and some department stores. Bring your passport, the receipts and a credit card — the card is used as a guarantee in case you don’t leave Korea on time. You’ll then need to leave Korea within a short period, so do this near the end of your trip.
3. At the Airport
At Incheon Airport, look for the tax refund kiosks and counters in the departure hall:
- Total refund under ₩75,000: use a self-service kiosk — scan your passport and receipts. No customs check.
- Total refund ₩75,000 or more: go to the customs inspection desk first, before checking in your luggage, because officers may ask to see the goods.
- Allow at least 30 extra minutes for refunds on busy days.
Step by Step
- Look for the sign. Stores show “Tax Free” or a refund company’s logo (such as Global Blue, Global Tax Free or Easy Tax Refund).
- Show your passport when you pay — a photo of it is usually not accepted.
- Spend at least ₩15,000 in one receipt. Several small purchases in the same store can count if rung up together.
- Get the instant discount or keep the refund receipt.
- Before your flight, claim any remaining receipts at a downtown booth or the airport.
Tax Refund vs Duty Free
| Tax refund | Duty-free shop | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Ordinary stores in the city | Airport and downtown duty-free stores (Lotte, Shilla, Shinsegae, Hyundai) |
| What you save | About 5–8% (VAT minus fees) | VAT and customs duties built into the price |
| When you get goods | Immediately | Downtown purchases are collected at the airport on departure |
| Good for | Cosmetics, fashion, everyday shopping | Luxury goods, perfume, alcohol |
Remember your home country’s customs allowance when you return — Korea’s tax refund has nothing to do with what you can bring home duty-free.
Where Tax Refunds Are Easiest
- Myeongdong — almost every cosmetics store offers instant refunds.
- Department stores (Lotte, Shinsegae, Hyundai) — refund desks on site.
- Dongdaemun fashion malls aimed at tourists.
- Hongdae and Seongsu — varies by shop; ask before paying.
- Traditional markets usually don’t offer refunds.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving your passport at the hotel. No passport, no instant refund.
- Splitting purchases into receipts under ₩15,000.
- Packing goods in checked luggage before the customs check when your refund is ₩75,000 or more.
- Arriving at the airport late — refund queues can be long at peak times.
- Expecting the full 10%. Operator fees mean you get back less.
FAQ
Do I need my physical passport? Yes. Stores and kiosks scan it. Keep it safe but carry it on shopping days.
Does it work on food? Only at participating stores and for goods you take out of Korea; restaurant meals don’t qualify.
Can I combine receipts from different stores? Each receipt must meet the ₩15,000 minimum on its own.
Related Guides
→ Shopping in Seoul · Incheon Airport · Seoul travel budget · Currency calculator
Tax refund rules and limits can change. We check this page regularly, but please follow the instructions of the store and refund operator.