Shopping is definitely indispensable in South Korea. Since there is shopping, there will definitely be tax-related precautions. Now the editor will tell you about the tax refund strategy here. Everyone must remember to refund the tax and follow the Here are the rules. Notes

Where can I get a tax refund when shopping?

Merchants with TAXFREE can enjoy the tax refund policy, and some stores will also place tax refund signs in obvious locations to attract customers.

Am I eligible for a tax refund?

For tourists, the tax refund requirement is that tourists entering the country with a short-term tourist visa (no restrictions on individual visas and group visas) can enjoy tax refunds. Therefore, even if your visa is for three years or even five years, as long as it is a short-term tourist visa, you are eligible for tax refund.

The amount and limitations of tax refund

Minimum tax refund amount

When issuing a tax refund form, if the consumption exceeds 30,000 won and is less than 200,000 won, The total consumption amount during the trip to South Korea does not exceed 1,000,000 won.

Can the total consumption be combined?

When shopping in a comprehensive shopping mall, if it is possible to "combine" the tax refund form, it is not required that the single shopping consumption exceeds 30,000 won, as long as The amount shown on a single tax refund form exceeds the minimum standard. Therefore, you need to consult the merchant before shopping to see if you can combine the tax refund forms.

It should be noted that if a store can issue a tax refund form for combined consumption, it must also be consumed on the same day. Therefore, you need to issue a tax refund form promptly after consumption.

Items cannot be opened and used

Items that require tax refund at the airport must not be opened and used while in Korea. After the store understands your tax refund needs, it will use a customs-specific bag to plastic-seal the tax-refund products. You only need to submit the products and plastic bags to the customs for inspection in their entirety, and you can obtain a tax refund stamp confirmed by the customs.

Documents to carry and keep

You need to carry your passport with you when shopping. When issuing a tax refund form, the merchant will board the plane for inspection.

If you use Alipay for tax refund, you need to provide the mobile phone number bound to the Alipay account.

Please be sure to keep the original shopping receipt (different from the tax refund form) properly, as the customs will require it to be issued.

Tax refund methods

Currently, there are many tax refund methods available in South Korea. It is divided into airport cash tax refund, Alipay tax refund, Kiosk tax refund machine, city cash tax refund, and on-site tax refund implemented in 2016. Tax refund process

In addition to on-site tax refund, other tax refund methods require stamp confirmation at the airport customs.

Tax refund process for airport cash, credit card, Alipay and airport KIOSK self-service machine

Alipay tax refund:

Korea Duty Free cannot provide Alipay tax refund, only Global Duty Free can provide Alipay Tax refund.

When filling out the tax refund form, please pay attention to whether there is an Alipay logo.

Baggage check-in:

You need to check in first before entering the airport. Do not check in tax refund products. If you need to check in goods after inspection (if there is liquid, excessive volume, etc.), please go to the counter The personnel explained that the goods will be shipped after customs inspection.

Documents and certificates required for airport processing:

During customs tax refund inspection, you need to bring your passport, tax refund form, original shopping receipt and unopened tax refund goods;

Self-service customs tax refund process:

Seoul Incheon International Airport now provides self-service tax refund services at the customs step. You need to scan your passport and the receipt for tax refund goods on the machine, but be sure to ask about the work. Does the personal tax refund form need to be stamped? If not, you can directly start the security check and enter the boarding hall;

The tax refund customs is not the exit point:

Although they are both called "customs", However, the customs staff responsible for inspecting tax refund goods are not at the airport departure area. Departure will only proceed after the tax refund has been inspected and stamped.

You may need to queue up for cash tax refund:

You may need to wait in line for a long time at the cash tax refund window, so please plan your time to go to the airport in advance.

Self-service tax refund machines at the airport:

Currently, the airport KIOSK tax refund machines only provide services at Seoul Incheon International Airport.

Credit card and Alipay tax refund:

You only need to put the stamped tax refund form into the corresponding tax refund mailbox to complete the airport tax refund process. The tax refund will be credited to the account you provided in about 10 working days.

The tax refund mailbox is located next to the tax refund counter.

Urban cash tax refund

Urban cash tax refund can be completed in the urban area through banks, tax refund counters, and KIOSK self-service tax refund machines. Tax refunders can get the tax refund immediately in cash. Tax refund. However, when tourists receive tax refunds, the corresponding amount will be frozen on their credit cards. The freeze on your credit card will be lifted after customs inspection and stamping at the airport.

Credit card requirements:

Try to use VISA and MASTER credit cards to freeze the corresponding amount. Freezing the amount does not constitute consumption. As long as the stamp of customs confirmation is successfully obtained, no fees will be incurred. .

Whether it is possible to freeze using a UnionPay card will vary depending on the company that operates the tax refund.

Cash tax refund points in urban areas:

Currently, online stores offering cash tax refunds in the city are concentrated in Seoul. On-site tax refund

Since 2016, some stores in South Korea have supported on-site tax refund. That is, if you provide your passport when shopping, you can directly pay the price minus the tax refund amount.

Advantages

You can directly enjoy the same price as duty-free goods, and there is no need to go to the airport to handle tax refund procedures.

Disadvantages

Only some merchants support on-site tax refund, and may need to use designated cashiers. However, the scale of merchants on these lists is still expanding.