KOREA CUSTOMS INFO

Hi all. As i'll be here for a while, i'm having some of my old video game collection mailed to me, some old NES and SNES cartridges. These are games that I own and some of them are extremely valuable.

However they are used, not new, and belong to me.

How can I make sure Korean Customs knows this before I get it sent to me from the UK?

Obviously I will put down the true value of the items (a lot), but will this just invite customs to slap a 20% import tax on me?

Thanks in advance.

Hi all. As i'll be here for a while, i'm having some of my old video game collection mailed to me, some old NES and SNES cartridges. These are games that I own and some of them are extremely valuable.

However they are used, not new, and belong to me.

How can I make sure Korean Customs knows this before I get it sent to me from the UK?

Obviously I will put down the true value of the items (a lot), but will this just invite customs to slap a 20% import tax on me?

Thanks in advance.

For something that old and valuable, I would probably go back home during vacation, pick it up with my own hands, and put it in my carry-on baggage.

Even if import taxes were not a problem at all, I would be worried about people throwing the package around and potentially damaging the games.

Hey does anyone have an English telephone number for customs. I searched their website, but it is so confusing and their poorly made Q&A section has yielded zero success; they never answered my questions. I have several packages that are either stuck or lost at the airport (they've been over a month in Korea).

 

http://www.waygook.org/index.php/topic,49038.msg433789.html#msg433789

Hi,

   I ordered an item from Amazon.com and they require a PIN (personal identification number) for Korean customs in order to ship the item. Of course, the site they sent me to register for one is all in Korean and even my Korean friend hasn't been able to figure the site out. Does anyone have any experience with this?

http://portal.customs.go.kr/kcsipt/portal_link.jsp?portalGoToLink=inform_5&iFrameGoToLink=/StaPt/StaInfoOfferAction_3.do?method=viewImpCargoProgInfoEach

Hi,

   I ordered an item from Amazon.com and they require a PIN (personal identification number) for Korean customs in order to ship the item. Of course, the site they sent me to register for one is all in Korean and even my Korean friend hasn't been able to figure the site out. Does anyone have any experience with this?

http://portal.customs.go.kr/kcsipt/portal_link.jsp?portalGoToLink=inform_5&iFrameGoToLink=/StaPt/StaInfoOfferAction_3.do?method=viewImpCargoProgInfoEach

Reply #10, English PDF instructions sheet...

http://www.waygook.org/index.php/topic,80258.msg499446.html#msg499446

Foolish question, but I recently purchased a game package that is just below the 150,000 Won custom fee threshold (it's exactly 149,900 won with shipping), do you think my package would get held back by customs?

I ordered a supplement to the value of 150 000 won online.I don't think it has reached customs as yet.

I would like to place another order, via Iherb.com.Would I incur custom fees when both my packages get caught up at customs?

I ordered a supplement to the value of 150 000 won online.I don't think it has reached customs as yet.

I would like to place another order, via Iherb.com.Would I incur custom fees when both my packages get caught up at customs?

According to Iherb, it's only if both packages enter customs clearance on the same day. Assuming your orders are a day apart, it's unlikely they'll arrive at the same time. Otherwise you could just wait until the first one clears customs before placing another order.

I ordered a supplement to the value of 150 000 won online.I don't think it has reached customs as yet.

I would like to place another order, via Iherb.com.Would I incur custom fees when both my packages get caught up at customs?

According to Iherb, it's only if both packages enter customs clearance on the same day. Assuming your orders are a day apart, it's unlikely they'll arrive at the same time. Otherwise you could just wait until the first one clears customs before placing another order.

Oh really,that's good to hear.However,the package that is in customs is not from I herb.The package I wish to order now is.What should the maximum value of the new package be?

Do they actually x-ray at customs? 

I'll be buying an engagement ring and I would much rather buy from a company online that i'm familiar with and used before rather than try to speak with my limited Korean and either get ripped off or have it be overpriced anyway.

I'm thinking my folks can just mail it wrapped and marked gift.  Do you think they x-ray?  I've done that with electronics before, but nothing this costly.  I'm also a little concerned as writing the real price would raise huge red flags so it's going to limit my insurance options.  Anybody have experience before and know a little bit more about package inspection?

Yes, customs do x-ray, and will open parcels if they are unsure of the contents. If you are having a high value piece of jewellery posted to you, it might be worth just taking the hit on import tax to make sure it is properly insured in the event of loss or theft. Otherwise get them to ship it in a parcel with a few other odds and ends wrapped and marked as gifts and declare it at a lower value, but definitely use a fully trackable service, for your own peace of mind if nothing else.

Do you know what the actual rule is on "gifts".  I mean, it actually is a gift, ya know.  If it's marked gift and they x-ray it and see that it's a ring, will they even care?  What is the actual rule on something being a gift and exempt from import fees?

If I have to pay the import fees i'll probably just get the ring here, will end up the same price then...

Hi, I'm looking into buying a new laptop back in the states and having my father send it to me. Is it possible to have my father, take it out the box, slap it into a package and send it to me without being slap in the face with heavy fees? Has anyone done this lately? I feel like they would just scan the package and know its a laptop.

Hi, I'm looking into buying a new laptop back in the states and having my father send it to me. Is it possible to have my father, take it out the box, slap it into a package and send it to me without being slap in the face with heavy fees? Has anyone done this lately? I feel like they would just scan the package and know its a laptop.

Yea I do this all the time.  Have your dad mark it as "used electronics" and the value as $50 or something.  As long as the item + shipping is less than 150,000 you won't have to pay any customs fees.

http://www.customs.go.kr/kcshome/main/content/ContentView.do?contentId=CONTENT_ID_000001317&layoutMenuNo=21022

Has anyone had experience with DHL saying "Uncontrollable Clearance Delay" once it hits customs in at Incheon?

Can anyone tell me what the current procedure is, now that Korea Customs uses PCC numbers or whatever? I kinda feel like we need some updated info.

I've just ordered a laptop from the US and I'm going to get my mom to send it by USPS.

I will have my mom write my passport # and ARC # on the package, plus my Korean phone number and email address.

Then what happens when it arrives in Korea, do they just send you a letter telling you how to pay the customs tax? Email? Text message? A call from someone haranguing you in Korean?

Cool thanks. And does providing ARC or Passport # still get past the PIN# nonsense?

Hi all

I will be shipping over my monitor and most of my computer components without the heaviest parts.

I realise this will be expensive to even ship from Canada, but the monitor is $2000 and buying it new here would just be too expensive and I will not be moving home any time soon so it will just sit there.

My main question about this stuff is... how much duty taxes will I have to pay? Nothing is new, The computer parts themselves are around another $2000-$2500. Since this stuff it previously owned, do I need to pay taxes on them if I get them sent to me? What should I be putting on the custom form when I ship them?

Any kind of advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

What's the duty-free threshold?


The duty-free threshold is 150,000 Korean won (usually around $130 USD) and that includes the shipping fee.

Go here for the current exchange rate employed by Korea Customs:

http://english.customs.go.kr/kcsweb/user.tdf?a=user.exchangerate.ExchangeRateApp&c=1001&mc=ENGLISH_INFORMATION_CUSTOMS

What are the duty and tax rates?

For the most products, 8% customs duties and 10 % value added tax (VAT). However, some goods are liable to special excise taxes and other taxes.

In general, all the household goods (except automobiles, boats, luxury jewelry, second items depending on the situation) are exempt from Customs duties and taxes. In addition, pianos, refrigerators, dryers, ovens or some other household goods are exempt from Customs duties and taxes only once because there's usually only one of those items per household.

However, you need to prove that you are going to live in Korea for more than two years and the goods should be brought into Korea within 6 months of your first arrival. You can't file duty-free applications on brand new products, gifts, professional goods, goods for sale and other goods that aren't household necessities.

Automobiles, airplanes, boats and jewelry (worth more than 1 million won) are charged with regular duties and taxes.


For all the details of Customs duty and tax rates applicable, please refer to the Duties and Taxes in Korea or Simplified Duty Rate at Simplified Clearance on the Korea Customs' web site.

Besides customs duties and taxes, some items require licensing & approval procedures in other government agencies. These include food, alcohol, pets, medicine, and cars.  For details, please read more on importing individual items."


Electronics, books, laptops, clothes/shoes, and bags

Electronics such as cameras, tablets, smartphones, etc. are subject to 20% taxation.

Books are duty free, but audio books (CDs, DVDs, etc.) are subject to 20% taxation.

There is no duty on laptops, but 10% VAT on the CIF value (the price+freight+insurance fee) is charged.

The duty rate on clothes and shoes is 13%, whereas it's 8% on bags.

How are duties calculated?

Let's suppose you ordered clothes (13% duty rate) whose value is $200 USD and the current exchange rate is 1,100 KRW = $1 USD. Let's also suppose the shipping is $10 USD.

Duty fee = (value of products in KRW + shipping in KRW )*duty rate

Duty fee = (200 USD * 1,100 KRW/USD   +  $10 USD*1,100 KRW/USD)*13%  = 30,030

VAT=  (value of products in KRW + shipping in KRW + duty fee)*VAT rate=

VAT = [200 USD*1,100 KRW/USD + $10 USD*1,100 KRW/USD + 30, 030 ]*10% = 26,103

Total fees =  Duty fee + VAT = 30,030 + 26,103 = 56,133 KRW

How do I pay?

Online banking is the probably the easiest and fastest way, but it's also possible to pay by going to your bank or any post office.

How did my  friend order over 200,000 KRW worth of  dietary supplements (or X good) and not get charged a dime?

S/he probably ordered from a Korean company that is aware of customs laws (most, if not all, are). Hence, they probably marked the package as gift and/or deliberately marked the value of the package such that you avoid paying fees.

It's also possible that the goods ordered are exempt from duties and taxes. Or maybe s/he just got lucky!

More Info

http://www.customs.go.kr/kcshome/main/content/ContentView.do?contentId=CONTENT_ID_000001318&layoutMenuNo=21023

Have a specific question?

Ask Korea Customs directly:

http://www.customs.go.kr/kcshome/main/qna/QnaList.do?layoutMenuNo=21035

Interesting