According to Korean Customs Regulations, all brand-new household goods are subject to customs duties/taxes(with the exception of a foreign diplomat, a civilian employee and an U.S. military personnel). Goods are regarded as brand-new if they were purchased within six months before the shipper's arrival in Korea. Whether or not customs duties/taxes will be levied on used household goods depends on the following four factors: (1) whether or not the shipper is accompanied by his/her family, (2) how long the shipper is going to reside in Korea (how long the shipper has stayed abroad if he/she is a returning Korean.) (3) how soon the shipper imports his/her goods into Korea after arrival and (4) how much value each brought-in item has.

A FOREIGNER WITH WORKING VISA
A person who intends to reside in Korea for a period of at least one year is not required to pay duties/taxes on used goods. For a person accompanied by his/her family, the required length of stay is a minimum of six months.

A RETURNING KOREAN CITIZEN
A person who has stayed abroad for a period of at least one year is not required to pay duties/taxes on used goods. For a person accompanied by his/her family, the required length of stay is a minimum of six months. 

A FOREIGN DIPLOMAT, A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE AND AN U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL. 
A Foreign diplomat, a civilian employee and an U.S. military personnel can import duty free his/her household goods including automobiles and brand-new goods within the time limit. 

TIME LIMITATION
A person is to import his/her goods within six months from the date of his/her arrival in Korea or from the issuing date of the working visa by the Korean authorities. In the case that the working visa is issued prior to his/her arrival in Korea, the time limitation will be applied in its issuing date. These shipments may be imported all at once or in installments as long as the above time limitis met.

CUSTOMS DUTIES & TAXES
Each item exceeding USD1,500 in its value does not qualify for duty-free importation, even if used. The following examples of customs duties on a sample of items:

Items	Duties
Cars	23-36% of invoice value
Electronic Appliance	20-29%
Camera, VCR Camera	20-60%
Foods(If excessive)	50%
Piano	20-42%
Carpets	36%
Crystal Ware	35%
High-value-Furniture	35%
Golf sets	20-38%
Ski sets	20-50%

The rates of customs duties in the above list exclude the special tax on luxurious items and the national defense tax, etc.

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ARTICLES
Firearms, ammunition, drugs, medicines without prescription, narcotics, meat, fish, etc. are prohibited. Rifles can only be imported by a special permission granted by the relevant Korean authorities. However, the procedure of customs clearance is rather complex and troublesome. We thus recommend the shipper to exclude them from a shipment of household goods in order to avoid foreseeable inconveniences.

LIQUOR & WINE
Liquor and wine are basically subject to customs duties and taxes. In regard to liquor & wine, please contact us in advance for more information.

QUARANTINE FOR DOGS, CATS, BIRDS AND SO ON
Importation of dogs, cats, birds, etc. requires quarantine procedures. The steps will be completed with the issuance of an Animal Health Certificate showing that the animal had been kept in quarantine for the required period in Korea. The period is usually ten days, however, an animal imported from a rabies-free area is kept for only one day in quarantine. The required documents for the quarantine are the Air waybill(or Baggage Ticket) and an Animal Health Certificate issued by the government of an exporting country certifying rabies vaccination performed less than one year and more than thirty days prior to their arrival in Korea.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTSFOR HOUSEHOLD GOODS
The following documents must be received at least four work days before arrival of shipments.

• Ocean Bill of lading or Air Waybill
• Legible Inventory Lists
• Letter of Instructions
• Insurance Certificate

A Foreigner with a Working Visa:

• Passport

the passport(s) of the shipper and his/her family members (if the shipper is accompanied by family)

• Alien Residence Card
• Employment contact

• Passport

the passport(s) of the shipper and his/her family members (if the shipper is accompanied by family)

CONSIGNMENT INFORMATION
Shipper's name
C/O A-1 Trans Korea
225-112 Itaewon 2 Dong, Yongsan Gu
Seoul, 140-857 Korea
Tel : (82-2) 792-9106
Fax : (82-2) 792-9497