Item Detained at Airport Upon Entry - Procedure for Retrieval Upon Departure Released

If a traveler brings in personal belongings intended for use outside of Korea, they can avoid customs duties by detaining the items upon entry and retrieving them upon departure. This method allows travelers to keep their belongings in a bonded state while in Korea, thus avoiding customs duties by taking them out of the country when leaving.

Here are the procedures provided by the Korea Customs Service:

Required Documents for Retrieval

• Detention certificate
• Identification (ID)
• Boarding pass (flight or ship)
• In the case of retrieval by proxy:
  • Detention certificate
  • Power of attorney for retrieval
  • Copy of the proxy’s passport
  • Copy of the principal's passport
  • Copy of the principal’s national ID or driver's license

Retrieval Process

• Travelers can retrieve their detained items upon departure.
• Retrieval methods include carry-on or checked baggage, depending on the traveler's preference.
• However, items valued over 1,000,000 KRW must be reported through a Bill of Lading (B/L) return, and that there are also some item restriction.

Important Notes:

• It is vital to have the documents ready to have the retrieval process go smoothly.
• The Korean Customs Service has additional rules and regulations, so it is recommended to read up on this on the Customs website.
• Some items have restrictions on being brought in or out of the country, it is best to check with the Customs to know if your items are restricted.