EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAX REFUNDS IN KOREA!🇰🇷🛍️ 💸 Tax refund process + US customs/duties

Hi Somidoshoppers~!
This video explains the tax refund process from what to do at the store, to receiving money at the airport, to understanding US customs/duties policies when bringing all your goodies back to the states! Below are some helpful links with more details. Please leave any questions and comments down below!
Check out what I bought in Korea!
• WHAT I BOUGHT IN KOREA...
Customs duty information:
www.cbp.gov/tr...
Harmonized tariff rates:
hts.usitc.gov/

[@samsooj]

omg i was reading articles about this but your video was so clear and detailed! thank you :)

[@aiezzgaming2031]

I have a small question, If you get the immediate tax refund, how, when, and where would you declare that?

[@Somidoshop]

If you get an immediate tax refund you don’t need to worry about scanning a receipt or showing the items at the airport! If the items are particularly expensive and total more then your tax free allowance, then the only time they need to be mentioned is when you’re re-entering the US at customs, letting the agent know that you’re being back $___ amount worth of goods.

[@sheilared777]

Your explanation was very helpful and detailed. Thank you!

[@lyiiszaa]

What if my goods are in my checked baggage? 🤔 do I have to take it through security and then bring it back somehow to get it checked in?

[@Somidoshop]

If the goods are in your checked luggage unfortunately it’s too late and you will not be able to get a refund for items you can’t show 😢 no way to get your checked bag back to show the items so make sure to visit the tax refund desk BEFORE you check any bags!!

[@jacky6zz]

This was super helpful thank you 🙏

[@arushchaudhary3175]

what percent giving tax return in 2023? plz

[@jay-k6186]

Wow! This was so helpful! You explain things so well and clearly!👍🏼 i have a question though, for example if the bag’s price tag states 3,000,000 won, do they add tax when you pay like they do in the US? Or is the tax already included in that amount?

[@Somidoshop]

Yes! All price tags in Korea include tax! If the price tag states 3,000,000, that is the price you’ll pay when you check out 😊

[@jay-k6186]

@@Somidoshop how do i declare my goods when i arrive in the US? Is there a form i need to fill out in the plane? Or will the security be asking me if i bought anything worth more than $800?

[@Somidoshop]

I have global entry but regardless I don’t think there’s an official form anymore (I may be incorrect). At the customs desk before re-entering the US the officer will ask you if you have anything you need to declare, and at that point you should say yes if you’ve bought more than $800 worth of goods!

[@Xeando]

How many percent is the tax refund? It's a hassle, trying to figure out if it's worth it really. Thank you!!

[@jhobethdatiles]

Hi! Appreciate your vlogs. It helps a lot. It says 30k-500k limit can be tax refundable. May I ask what if I buy 2 items worth 500k won each. Should I request separate receipt instead? Thank you!

[@Somidoshop]

The last time I checked, the maximum amount you can purchase and receive tax back on is 5,000,000 won during your entire trip. As long as you are under that I don’t think it matters how the purchases are split up. If you want to spend more than 5M won then I would recommend having another person’s passport to put that purchase under. I don’t know if a brand will be able to split one purchase into two transactions though. I would just ask the workers there!

[@neptunians]

What if I opened and used the stuff? For example a toner from olive young? Is it still eligible for tax refund? or do they have to be packed/sealed etc. like in Japan?

[@Somidoshop]

Typically they never ask to check small things in Korea! Generally though I keep packaging with me in case!

[@chefinahurry434]

If we already got the tax refund at the store, do we need to do anything at the airport to validate them?

[@Somidoshop]

No! No need to show the items or show your receipt

[@karinam1451]

The area where u collect the money doesnt ask to check anything right?

[@Somidoshop]

No once you pass through immigration and go to the money kiosks they will not check anything !

[@teammarias3347]

How about if you shop designer goods in Gangnam, are they tax refundable?

[@Somidoshop]

Yes! Pretty much anything you buy in a department store is eligible for a tax refund :)

[@janetkim2505]

thank you so much!

[@Somidoshop]

Thank you for watching!!

[@sw33tfr0styy]

What is the % of VAT refund is it from Korea going back to US? Some say 10% or 7%.

[@Somidoshop]

I think on average I get like 8ish% back! It depends on what the purchase is and cost

[@TrangLe-qo2wk]

Thanks for sharing. The information is very useful. I will be traveling to Seoul soon. I have questions. How many % of tax that you can get back from purchasing Dior bag? And for these stuffs that we can get immediate tax refund at store. We don't need to show it at the airport?

[@Somidoshop]

I believe on average you can get 7-8% back in tax refund! Most places you cannot get an immediate tax refund, so definitely be prepared to show your items at the airport! If you are able to immediately get a tax refund (this would not be the case for a dior bag), then you wouldn’t need to show the item again at the airport. Hope this helps!

[@hanhtrangnguyen3479]

This is super helpful! I want to buy Chanel and Dior bag but I’m wondering does these stores provide tax refund or do we need to go to the airport for the duty free stores ?

[@Somidoshop]

If you buy in a Korean department store you just need to make sure to get the tax refund receipt! And then you can receive your refund at the airport 😊

[@happycatcha9178]

This explains it clearer than what I've read in articles bc it was confusing to understand. If I've already received immediate tax refund in stores while shopping in Korea, I dont have to go to the Incheon airport (before I go back to USA) to show my receipts for tax refund then? (Since I already received "discount"/(immediate tax refund) at the stores)

[@Somidoshop]

Yes! If you’ve received the refund at the time of purchase you do not need to scan the receipt at the airport :)

[@kanoriw273]

Can you tell me how long did it take you to go through the process and were there long lines? Thank you, this is so helpful.

[@Somidoshop]

Not very long! Once you’re at the airport the process is fairly quick, and I haven’t personally experienced very long lines (usually there are people but I haven’t waited more than 15 minutes to use a kiosk). If you don’t need to show anything to an attendant, I think you can be done in 20 minutes, and if you do need to show things, then probably the process will take 30-40minutes! These numbers assume that you will be waiting on other people in front of you, but I’ve also completed this process in less than 10 minutes before too. Always best to budget extra time though!

[@สุรคชาชมชาติ]

The product that higher price need to show on custom , can i ask you they have near counter check in ?

[@Somidoshop]

The checking area is right next to the kiosks near the D/C airlines where you scan all your receipts

[@สุรคชาชมชาติ]

@@Somidoshop thanks

[@katarzynajanik5507]

Hi, what about skincare over 100 ml? can i have in the check-in baggage?

[@Somidoshop]

Hi! Before you drop off any of your checked bags, you need to bring everything over to the tax-free area in case they want to see any items! Once you have gotten all your refunds, then you take your bags to the bag check counter for drop off. Your large liquids will remain in your checked bag!

[@franh8043]

Thank you for the information!!

[@arcadeeeee26]

Thank you for explaining!

[@ShuYi-qq5jg]

For immediate tax refund , do we need to present the purchase at the airport ?

[@Somidoshop]

Immediate tax refund is only done at eligible stores at the time of purchase! If you’re talking about just receiving a regular tax refund, then yes, all goods need to be accessible to be checked at the airport (thought usually it’s just expensive items that are checked, not all items). If they ask to see an item at the airport and you can’t show it for some reason, you will not receive a tax refund.

[@mintyborro6216]

What a tedious process. Glad to know about this ahead of time.

[@Somidoshop]

I’m glad you took something away from my video! Thank you for watching 🥰

[@mintyborro6216]

@@Somidoshop I was trying to find a list of what I can get a refund for but to no success. Do you know where I can access that info? Would services rendered, KTA? Etc??

[@Somidoshop]

To my knowledge there’s no exact ‘list’ of items that are eligible for a tax refund! It is just specified that it is a physical good that is priced between 30,000won - 5,000,000won and it was bought within 3 months of your departure date. Most goods are eligible for refund as long as the store participates in being able to process you a tax refund receipt! There are, however, certain goods that are deemed ineligible for a tax refund-they include drugs, tobacco, goods designated as heritage assets, firearms, raw food products, and services (ie you got a massage; that’s not a physical good you can receive a tax refund on). It can be hard to know for certain whether an item will be eligible for a tax refund before shopping, but you can just ask the store worker at the time of purchase to check!

[@mintyborro6216]

@@Somidoshopgood to know. I have that noted for my November trip with intention to buy lots of skin care, accessories, and stationary goods! 🙌🏻

[@Somidoshop]

Definitely recommend going to myeongdong for that!! Can get an immediate tax refund which saves a lot of extra hassle at the airport 🥰 Hope you have a wonderful trip!

[@quocannguyentran2789]

I saw there are many duty free shopping stores in Seoul like Lotte, Shinsagae and Shilla, also duty free zone in ICN airport. Do they have different rate of tax refund or discount and if they have, which has the highest rate?

[@Somidoshop]

I think they’re fairly similar, but definitely if the conversion is heavily usd favor, it may be cheaper to buy in a regular boutique and receive a tax refund!