Tax refund in Korea: what to do before you fly

01

Identify the three kinds of tax-free shopping

A duty-free store sells eligible goods with tax already removed. At an immediate-refund shop, an eligible purchase is processed at the register. A regular tax refund leaves a separate claim to complete after purchase.

The logo alone does not tell you which process your receipt used. Check the receipt for the refund operator, the amount charged and whether a refund was already applied.

02

At the shop: passport, receipt, goods

1. Show your passport when requesting a tourist tax refund and ask the cashier to process that purchase.
2. Keep the original receipt and any refund voucher; photograph them as a backup.
3. Check whether tax was already deducted or whether you must make a later claim.

03

At departure: finish the correct sequence

For a regular claim, use the refund operator's airport, port, downtown or mobile instructions. If customs must inspect the goods, complete that step before checking the relevant bag. A refund kiosk scan alone may not finish every claim.

Keep your passport, boarding information, receipt and purchased goods available until the process is complete. Follow airport and operator signs for your departure terminal.

04

What often goes wrong

A tax refund is not automatically a full 10% of a shelf price. Eligibility, purchase thresholds, product type and refund method can change; read the current official conditions and your receipt.

If you already checked the goods, cannot find the voucher, or see no refund confirmation, contact the refund operator named on the receipt. Our Busan shopping guide helps you plan stores, while this page explains the refund steps.