Tax-free guide · Asia

Tax-free shopping in South Korea

Yes. Visitors can claim back VAT (10%) on goods they take home through Korea tax refund for foreign tourists (immediate and post-purchase refund). You need to spend ₩15,000 or more including tax per receipt, and some shops refund at the till, otherwise you claim it when you leave. A refund is never automatic: customs has to confirm the export, and operators can deduct a fee.

Last checked 2 November 2026. Figures are estimates, not tax advice.

South Korea at a glance

StatusRefund available
SchemeKorea tax refund for foreign tourists (immediate and post-purchase refund)
Tax in the priceVAT, standard rate 10%
Not yet checked against an official source
Minimum spend₩15,000 or more including tax per receipt
Immediate (in-store) refund: single payment 15,000 to under 1,000,000 won, up to 5,000,000 won per trip (limits doubled from 500,000 / 2,500,000 on 1 Jan 2024). Above that, claim at airport or downtown refund counters.
Where you get it backAt the till in some shops, otherwise when you leave
Typical refund50% to 90% of the tax
Operator refund tables, not statute (VAT is 1/11 of the tag price). Global Tax Free's table: about 45% to 75% of the VAT under 100,000 won, 60% to 80% for 100,000-1,000,000 won, 80% to 90% above; 90% of the VAT from 6,000,000 won.
Who can claimForeign visitors (non-residents) shopping at registered tax refund stores.
DeadlineGoods must be taken out of Korea within 3 months of purchase; for post-purchase refunds get customs export confirmation at departure.
Prices on tagsShelf prices include tax
Not yet checked against an official source

What could you get back?

Here's the arithmetic on a ₩300,000 purchase. The tax inside a price that includes 10% tax is 10/110 of it, about 9.1%.

Example purchase

South Korea, standard rate

Price you pay, including tax₩300,000
Tax inside it (10/110 of the price)₩27,273
Estimated refund₩13,636 to ₩24,545

₩300,000 is about US$223.40, €199.18, £166.47, A$318.77 at the mid-market rate for 2 November 2026.

An estimate, not a promise. Goods at a reduced rate get back less, and you only get a refund if customs and the operator approve your claim.

What may change: No 2025/2026 change to the immediate-refund limits found on official pages.

Some chains (e.g. convenience stores) advertise their own narrower ranges; check the store sign.

How to claim the refund in South Korea

Bring your passport. Shops need to see it to sell tax-free. Foreign visitors (non-residents) shopping at registered tax refund stores.
Spend enough in one go. Spend ₩15,000 or more including tax per receipt and ask the shop for the tax refund form.
Ask about a refund at the till. Some shops take the tax off at the till or refund it on the spot. Otherwise you pay the full price and claim later.
Keep the goods unused and with you. Customs can ask to see them when you leave, so keep them in your hand luggage until the claim is done.
Validate the claim when you leave. Have the form validated by customs or at a kiosk when you leave South Korea. Goods must be taken out of Korea within 3 months of purchase; for post-purchase refunds get customs export confirmation at departure.
Collect the refund. The shop or refund operator pays you, usually by card or in cash, less any fee it charges.

Want the real cost of a price tag here? Try the refund calculator, and read why you should always pay in local currency.

Questions

How much is the tax refund in South Korea?

VAT is 10%, so the tax inside a price is 10/110 of it, about 9.1%. On a ₩300,000 purchase that's ₩27,273, and you could get back between ₩13,636 and ₩24,545, the share of the tax the official source gives. It's an estimate: reduced-rate goods get back less and every claim needs approval. Last checked 2 November 2026.

What is the minimum spend for tax-free shopping in South Korea?

₩15,000 or more including tax per receipt.

Where do I claim the tax refund in South Korea?

At the till in some shops, otherwise when you leave. Goods must be taken out of Korea within 3 months of purchase; for post-purchase refunds get customs export confirmation at departure.

Is it cheaper to buy things in South Korea?

Only if the price on your card, after any tax refund you'll actually get, beats the price at home. Convert the tag at the mid-market rate, add your card's foreign transaction fee (often around 3% on bank cards, 0% on travel cards), then take off the refund estimate, and compare. Always pay in the local currency, because the shop's conversion costs more. Priceglot does this for every tag you point it at.

Sources

VISITKOREA - Comprehensive Tax Refund Guide (checked 2 November 2026)
Korea.net - Immediate tax refund limit for foreign visitors to be doubled in 2024 (checked 2 November 2026)
VISITKOREA - Tax refund guide (export within 3 months) (checked 2 November 2026)
Global Tax Free (Korea) - Refund rate table (checked 2 November 2026)

Last checked 2 November 2026.