Where to claim your refund and what you need
If you are a foreign visitor to South Korea and made purchases subject to VAT (Value Added Tax, called 부가가치세 or "bugas gachiseok" in Korean), you can reclaim that tax at the airport before you leave. The refund is not automatic — you must request it at a designated counter, and you need the original receipts and your passport to prove you are a non-resident.
The two main refund operators at Korean airports are Global Blue and Easy Tax Refund. Both operate counters in the departure areas of Incheon International Airport (Seoul's main airport) and Gimhae International Airport (Busan). Smaller regional airports may have only one operator or none at all, so if you are flying out of a regional airport, plan to claim at your connecting hub or not at all.
You do not need to visit a tax office or file paperwork with the Korean government. The refund happens at the airport, and the operator handles the transaction with Korean tax authorities on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- You must claim your VAT refund at the airport departure area before you leave South Korea — you cannot claim it after you have left the country.
- Bring your original receipts, passport, and the items you purchased (unopened and in original packaging) to the refund counter.
- The refund amount varies by store and operator, but typically ranges from 8 to 16 percent of the purchase price after the operator takes a commission.
- Global Blue and Easy Tax Refund are the two operators; both have counters at Incheon and Gimhae airports, and you can use either one.
- Refunds are paid in cash (Korean won), credit card credit, or transferred to your bank account depending on the operator and the amount.
What receipts and documents you need to bring
Stores that participate in VAT refund schemes will give you a Tax Refund Form (also called a Tax Free Form) when you buy something. This form has spaces for the store name, purchase amount, and your passport number. The form must be stamped by the store at the time of purchase — you cannot get it stamped later. If a store does not offer you a form when you buy something, ask for one before you leave the counter.
At the airport, bring three things: your passport (the original, not a copy), the original receipts from the store, and the Tax Refund Forms that were stamped at purchase. Some operators also ask to see the items themselves, so keep them in your carry-on luggage and do not pack them in checked baggage. Items must be unused and in their original packaging.
If you bought from multiple stores, you will have multiple forms. Bring all of them. You can claim refunds from different stores at the same counter — the operator will process them together.
Minimum purchase amounts and which stores participate
Most department stores, duty-free shops, and tourist-oriented retailers participate in VAT refund schemes. The minimum purchase amount to may have access to for a refund is typically 50,000 Korean won (about 38 USD) per store, though some stores set it higher. If you spend less than the minimum at one store, you cannot claim a refund from that store, even if your total spending across multiple stores is higher.
Supermarkets, convenience stores (like GS25 or CU), restaurants, and hotels usually do not participate. Luxury brands, electronics retailers, and cosmetics chains almost always do. If you are unsure whether a store offers refunds, ask the cashier before you pay.
The VAT rate in South Korea is 10 percent. The refund you receive is less than 10 percent because the operator takes a commission — typically 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price. So on a 100,000 won purchase, you might receive a refund of 6 to 8 percent (6,000 to 8,000 won) rather than the full 10 percent.
How to claim at Incheon or Gimhae airport
Arrive at the airport with enough time before your flight to visit the refund counter. Both Global Blue and Easy Tax Refund have counters in the departure area after you have checked in your luggage and passed immigration. The counters are clearly marked with signs in English and Korean.
Hand your passport, receipts, Tax Refund Forms, and the items to the operator. They will check that the forms are complete and stamped, verify your passport, and inspect the items to confirm they are unused. This process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes per transaction.
Once approved, you choose how to receive your refund: cash in Korean won, a credit to your credit card, or a bank transfer to your home country account. Cash is the fastest option and is paid immediately. Credit card refunds take a few days to appear on your statement. Bank transfers can take one to two weeks and may incur a small wire fee.
What to do if the refund counter is closed or you cannot reach it
If you arrive at the airport and the refund counter is closed (which can happen during very early morning or late night flights), you have limited options. Some operators offer mail-in refunds: you can mail your forms and receipts to their office after you leave Korea, but this process is slow and you must pay for postage. The refund, if approved, arrives weeks later.
If you miss the airport window entirely and leave Korea without claiming, you cannot claim a refund afterward. Tax refunds in Korea are only processed at the airport departure area, and there is no mechanism to claim them once you have left the country.
To avoid this, plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight for international departures. This gives you time to check luggage, pass immigration, and visit the refund counter without rushing.
Refund amounts and what the operator keeps
The refund you receive depends on the purchase price, the VAT rate (10 percent), and the operator's commission. Here is how it works: if you spend 100,000 won on an item, the VAT is 10,000 won. The operator takes a commission of roughly 2,000 to 4,000 won, leaving you with a refund of 6,000 to 8,000 won (6 to 8 percent of the purchase price).
The exact commission varies by operator and by store. Global Blue and Easy Tax Refund publish their rates, but they are not identical. If you are claiming refunds from multiple stores, you can ask each operator's counter what their commission is before you hand over your forms — this lets you compare if both operators have counters at your airport.
There is no way to reclaim the commission. It is the operator's fee for processing the refund and handling the paperwork with Korean tax authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim a refund if I bought something online and had it shipped to my hotel?
No. Online purchases and items shipped to you do not may have access to for VAT refunds. The refund scheme only covers items you purchase in person at a physical store and carry with you when you leave Korea. The store must stamp your Tax Refund Form at the time of purchase.
What if I opened the item or used it before I got to the airport?
You will not receive a refund. Items must be unused and in their original packaging. The operator inspects items to confirm this. If you opened a box or used a product, tell the operator — they will likely deny the refund rather than process it and have it rejected later by tax authorities.
Do I need to speak Korean to claim a refund?
No. Refund counters at major airports have English-speaking staff, and the forms are available in English. Point to what you need, hand over your documents, and the operator will guide you through the process. It is straightforward and does not require conversation.
Can I claim a refund if I am a Korean resident or citizen?
No. VAT refunds are only for foreign visitors who are non-residents of South Korea. You must show a valid passport from another country. Korean citizens and permanent residents do not may have access to, even if they are leaving the country.
What if the refund counter says my form is incomplete or not stamped?
You cannot claim the refund. The form must be stamped by the store at the time of purchase. If it is missing a stamp or signature, the operator will not process it. Go back to the store if you are still in Korea and have time, but if your flight is soon, you will have to leave without the refund.