Korea charges 10% VAT on most goods, and visitors can get part of it back on purchases they take home. It works at thousands of shops, from department stores and cosmetics chains to fashion boutiques, and in many places the refund comes straight off the price at the till. Here is how it works in 2026, what you need, and how to avoid losing your refund at the airport.
Who can claim a tax refund?
Foreign visitors staying in Korea for less than six months can claim. Some overseas Koreans who live abroad can also claim. Residents of Korea, including foreigners with a residence card, can't. You must take the goods out of the country, unused, within three months of buying them.
What qualifies
- You must spend at least 15,000 won in one transaction at a participating shop.
- The shop must take part in the scheme. Look for a "Tax Free" or "Tax Refund" sign at the door or the till, or ask.
- Most goods qualify. Services, such as hotel stays and restaurant meals, don't. Cosmetic surgery and aesthetic procedures are no longer eligible from 2026.
You won't get the full 10% back. After the refund company's fee, the refund is usually somewhere around 4% to 7% of the price, rising with the amount you spend.
Option 1: an instant refund at the shop
Many shops offer an immediate tax refund: you pay the price without the tax there and then. It is the easiest option.
- Show your physical passport at the till before paying. A photo or copy isn't accepted.
- Pay the reduced price.
- Keep the receipt and the goods unused until you leave Korea.
Instant refunds are capped: up to 1 million won per purchase and 5 million won in total per trip. Above that, the shop gives you refund paperwork to claim at the airport instead. Your passport records the instant refunds, and customs may check the goods when you leave.
Option 2: claim at the airport
If the shop gave you a refund receipt instead, claim before you leave the country. At Incheon and other international airports:
- Before checking in your bags, go to a tax refund kiosk in the departure hall. Scan your passport and receipts.
- If the kiosk asks for an inspection, show the goods to customs at the counter nearby. This is why you should do it before checking your luggage.
- Collect the refund to your card, or as cash at the refund desk after passport control, depending on the operator and the screen's instructions.
Allow extra time, especially at busy times of the day, as queues at kiosks and customs can be long. Some large shopping areas in Seoul also have refund counters where you can claim before you go to the airport; you still need to confirm the export when you leave.
Tips to make sure you get your money back
- Always carry your passport when shopping. No passport, no refund.
- Keep every receipt together, and photograph them in case one gets lost.
- Don't use or open goods you plan to claim on, especially expensive items, as customs may ask to see them.
- Pack claimed items so you can reach them at the airport. If you must check them in, do the kiosk and customs check first.
- Do it all in one place. Buying several items in one shop in one transaction can take you over the 15,000-won minimum and into a higher refund rate.
Where tax-free shopping is easiest
Department stores, duty-free shops, cosmetics chains and big shopping streets are used to visitors and handle refunds quickly. Myeongdong in Seoul is full of shops offering instant refunds, and outlets such as Hyundai Premium Outlets Songdo do too. Traditional markets and small independent shops often don't take part.
Rules and limits change from time to time, so check with the shop or at the airport if anything looks different. For other money questions, see do you need cash in Korea? and our guide to using Korean ATMs.
FAQ
What is the minimum purchase for a tax refund in Korea?
15,000 won in a single transaction at a participating shop.
Can I get the tax refund immediately?
Yes, at shops offering immediate refunds: show your passport and pay the price without the tax, up to 1 million won per purchase and 5 million won per trip.
Do I need my passport for a tax refund?
Yes. You need your physical passport at the shop and at the airport.
