Anyone who considers him or herself a savvy shopper would know that the perfect finishing touch to a good shopping trip is getting a tax refund. Purchasers are eligible for a rebate on value-added taxes under the condition that the product purchased will not be used within the country where the product was bought. Once you have enjoyed the perks and benefits of Korea Grand Sale, read the following information on Korea’s tax refund system to end your trip with money back.
# Step 1: Shopping at Authorized Tax Refund Stores
1) Check for Authorized Tax Refund Stores: Want to make the most of the tax refund system? Simply look for stores with the Global Blue TAX FREE or GLOBAL TAX FREE signs and logos.
2) Purchasing Goods: Purchase must be over KRW 30,000 to be eligible for tax refund.
3) Requesting a Tax Refund Application Form: After the payment is settled, show your passport to the clerk and ask to have a tax refund document issued for you. Keep the document and receipt with you until you leave the country.
※ You will not be given a tax refund if you do not have the tax refund document issued from a participating retail store. The request can be denied if the documents are not properly filled out.
# Step 2-1: Getting a Tax Refund at the Airport
Tourists who would like to apply for their tax return at the airport upon departure should arrive at the airport ahead of time. Incheon International Airport has a tax refund counter. The following are detailed instructions on how to get a tax refund:
1) Boarding Procedures: Check in at your carrier’s counter and have them issue your boarding pass. You must hand-carry the products and documents that are applicable for tax rebate.
2) Have Your Items Checked: Hand your passport, products purchased (must not be opened or used), and receipt to the customs officer to get your tax refund documents stamped as a sign of approval.
※ To check in purchased product: Notify the airline staff at the check-in desk that you have tax refund applicable items in your baggage. Your baggage will be tagged and returned. Carry it to customs at counter D or J. After your duty-free items are checked, simply drop off your baggage at the oversized check-in baggage area right next to counters D and J.
3) Visiting the Tax Refund Counter: Go to the tax refund counter at the departure terminal gate number 28. Show the tax refund agent your tax refund documents stamped by the customs officer. You will immediately receive a tax rebate. Hand in Global Blue tax refund documents and Global Tax Free tax refund documents to the applicable counters (Global Blue: 07:00 – 21:00 / Global Tax Free: 07:00-22:00).
※ If you are leaving the country from an airport/port that does not have a tax refund counter, got your documents stamped but did not have the time to visit the tax refund counter, or are traveling at a time when the counter is closed, drop off your tax refund papers at the Refunds Box. The tax refund will be mail transferred or sent directly to your credit card-linked bank account after a set period of time.
# Step 2-2: Getting a Refund in Seoul
A total of six tax refund agencies opened in Seoul’s major shopping areas, such as Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Sinchon. Tax refund procedures have never been more convenient. If you are worried about standing in a long line or not making it to the tax refund counter on time at the airport, visit the tax refund agency in one of the six downtown areas. It could be a smart way to streamline your trip to Korea.
1) Visit an authorized tax refund agency and hand in your passport along with all related paperwork. Register your international credit card information under your name.
2) Get a cash tax refund.
3) Hand in the tax refund documents with verification stamps from customs by dropping them into the designated box at the airport of departure, or mailing them.
※ If you are getting a tax refund in downtown Seoul, your credit card will be charged with the same amount as the tax refund eligible to you as a guarantee. The payment will be cancelled once the stamped tax refund documents arrive at the tax refund agency within a set timeframe.
<Tax Refund Agencies in Downtown Seoul>
[% sc_tax %]
※ Products purchased at Global Blue affiliated stores must be claimed at Global Blue offices and counters, while Global Tax Free must be claimed at Global Tax Free offices and counters.
# Summary of South Korea’s Tax Refund System
- Applicants : Any non-Korean visitor who will stay in Korea for under 6 months
- Value-added taxes: 10% (you will be charged with a set fee the actual refund will be approx. 8%)
- Minimum purchase amount: KRW 30,000
- Valid period of tax rebate document: 3 months from the date of purchase
- Purchased product must be unopened and unused
- Point of refund : Major international airports and ports, certified tax refund agencies downtown
- Inquiries: Global Blue Korea: +82-2-776-2170 / www.global-blue.com
Global Tax Free Korea: +82-2-518-0837 / www.global-taxfree.com/
