"File Customs Declarations via Mobile" Expanded Operation at Airports and Ports Nationwide

The mobile customs declaration system will be expanded to operate at airports and ports nationwide. This system allows inbound travelers who bring taxable items exceeding the duty-free allowance to complete all procedures via mobile without the need to fill out or submit paper documents.

The Korea Customs Service announced on the 27th that the mobile customs declaration system, which had been operated only at Incheon Airport Terminal 2 and Gimpo Airport, will be expanded from the 1st of next month to six airports nationwide (Gimhae, Jeju, Cheongju, Daegu, Muan, Yangyang) and seven ports (Incheon, Busan, Gunsan, Pyeongtaek, Sokcho, Donghae, Jeju).

Provided by Korea Customs Service

The mobile customs declaration allows travelers to declare items exceeding the basic duty-free allowance through the ‘Traveler Customs Declaration’ app without submitting a ‘paper declaration form’ to customs.

The basic duty-free allowance applies to a total value of overseas-acquired goods, including items purchased at domestic duty-free shops, up to $800, up to two bottles of alcoholic beverages (combined volume of 2 liters or less and value of $400 or less), up to 200 cigarettes, and up to 60 ml of perfume. Declaration to customs is mandatory when these limits are exceeded. Additionally, foreign currency exceeding $10,000 and quarantine items are also subject to customs declaration.

Previously, except for Incheon and Gimpo airports, travelers had to receive a paper payment notice at the customs inspection counter and pay taxes to declare at other airports and ports, which was inconvenient.

However, from now on, inbound travelers can complete customs declaration procedures via the mobile app regardless of the airport or port of entry nationwide. Upon entry, travelers use the ‘Customs Declaration Present’ lane, scan the QR code generated in advance on the app with a reader installed at the lane, receive an ‘electronic payment notice,’ and pay the tax directly through the app.

It should be noted that local taxes imposed on cigarettes (tobacco consumption tax, local education tax) must be paid separately using the mobile local tax payment app ‘WETAX,’ which is linked with the Korea Customs Service’s ‘Traveler Customs Declaration’ app.

Also, for items subject to separate administrative procedures such as goods under Free Trade Agreements (FTA), foreign currency, and quarantine items, travelers must visit the customs inspection counter and undergo follow-up procedures such as physical inspection, as before.

A Korea Customs Service official stated, “The expansion of the mobile customs declaration system is a measure to enhance convenience for ‘honest declarant travelers.’ Separately, customs will strengthen crackdowns on those bringing in illegal or harmful items such as drugs and firearms, as well as dishonest declarants aiming to evade taxes.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.