Before you crumple that Myeongdong receipt, check this. Visit Seoul's official guide (checked Oct. 27, 2026) says foreign tourists who spend at least KRW 15,000 at a tax-free store can get VAT and other domestic tax refunded when they leave Korea.
Goods bought within 3 months of departure qualify
The refund covers goods bought at tax-free stores within 3 months before you leave. A purchase must be at least KRW 15,000, and once customs confirms the export you collect the money at a Tax Refund Counter.
Foreign tourists who have stayed in Korea under 6 months are eligible. Overseas Koreans qualify if they have stayed under 3 months and lived abroad for over 2 years.
Customs first, with the goods in your hand
The steps are simple. Buy over KRW 15,000 at a tax-free shop, show the goods and the refund slip at the customs export-approval counter, then take the confirmed slip to the refund counter for your money.
So keep the items out of your checked bag until customs has seen them.
City booths and kiosks work before customs
With downtown tax refund you can get your money at a refund booth or self-service KIOSK before customs clearance, then fly after customs confirms. Counters, KIOSKs and mailboxes are run by the refund agencies.
If a booth or KIOSK can't be used, the mailbox route lets you submit an application that is processed by hand and refunded.
Instant refund: under KRW 1,000,000 per purchase, KRW 5,000,000 per trip
With an instant refund the tax is taken off at the till. A single purchase must be under KRW 1,000,000 and your total for the trip under KRW 5,000,000. You still carry the goods out when you depart.
If your shopping list is long, check those caps first. The rules can change, so look at Visit Seoul's page again before you fly.
