Korea is famous for cosmetics, but they have high fashion stores with brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermes and Celine. If you’re done shopping, you can apply for tax refund. This article will show you how the process goes.

Tax refund guide per country

Guide to tax refund in Europe VAT refund rate in Europe Guide to tax refund in Czech Republic Guide to tax refund in Sweden Guide to tax refund in Switzerland Guide to tax refund in United States Guide to tax refund in Canada Guide to tax refund in Australia Guide to tax refund in China Guide to tax refund in Japan Guide to tax refund in Korea Guide to tax refund in Malaysia Guide to tax refund in Singapore Countries with cash limit transactions

What is Bugase?

In Korea, Bugase means VAT (Value Added Tax). This tax works the same as VAT in Europe or GST in Singapore. It’s tax on the goods. The current VAT rate in Korea is 10%.“NOTE: Vat rate for jewelry is 20%.”

Who are eligible to apply for VAT refund?

If you’ve been in Korea for less than 6 months and you’ve a permanent stay in another country. If you’re an overseas Korean for less than 3 months or you’re a Korean student but you’re studying abroad for 3 years or more, then you can apply for VAT refund.To put it simple: if you’re tourist, you can certainly get the VAT back.

Minimum purchase

The general minimum purchase is 30.000 WON (VAT included), which is around 30 USD.Some Korean stores do their own tax refund. In this case, you can get VAT back immediately and there is no need to go through the tax refund process. But for this option, you need to purchase at minimum 30.000 WON (VAT included), but it needs to be less than 200.000 WON (VAT included) per goods. The total amount needs to be under 1 million WON per visit to Korea.
What to do if your purchases exceed 200.000 WON (VAT included)? If your purchases exceed this amount, then you need to apply for tax refund through the normal process. Which is via the Tax Refund Counter at the airport. Read chapter the ‘How To Claim Tax-Refund Step By Step Instructions?’ Step 2b.
If the store does not do their own tax refund, then you need to go through the standard process of applying for tax refund. Read chapter the ‘How To Claim Tax-Refund Step By Step Instructions?’ Step 2b.

Time limit for Customs Approval

After you’ve purchased the goods, it needs to leave Korea within 3 months in order to be eligible for tax refund.

How To Claim Tax Refund in Korea? A Step By Step Instruction

1. At the store: can you get tax back? More than 12.000 stores are participating the tax-free program, but not all of them. Check for the tax-free sign at the storefront or ask the staff whether you can get your VAT back.2. The store does their own tax refund, what is the process? “For purchases above 200.000 WON or more 1 million WON in total at one visit in Korea, you cannot get VAT back at the store. Please go to 2b.”Some stores do their own tax refund; it means that you won’t need to pay VAT at the check-out. If this is the case, then you need to show your passport when you’re about to pay for the goods. The passport verifies that you’re a tourist.When the store does not charge your VAT at the checkout, your VAT refund process basically ends here. You don’t need to read further.
2b. When the store does not do their own tax refund, what is the process?“This tax refund process is also for people who are making purchases above 200.000 WON or more than 1 million WON in total at one visit in Korea.”If you are at a store that cannot process your tax refund immediately, here is what you need to do: a. Tell the staff you’re a tourist and you want tax refund b. The staff will ask for your passport to verify that you’re not a Korean citizen and that you’re eligible for tax refund. c. Ask the staff for the Tax Free Form and fill in all the necessary details. If you need assistance, ask the staff. d. Take the original receipts and keep them safe.3. At the Airport: you are going to leave Korea“You can check-in as normal and get your boarding pass, but tell the counter staff that you have tax refund items in your luggage. They will put a claim sticker and return the luggage to you.”When you’re at the airport, find the custom office and take the following items with you:

• Original receipts
• Tax refund forms
• Purchased goods

After the custom inspection, you will get an ‘All Good Exported’stamp. Take the receipts and scan them on the Tax Refund Machine. A staff will assist you if you need help.4. Check-in your (remaining) luggage Once you’ve received the ‘All Good Exported’ stamp from the customs, take your luggage to the oversized baggage counter for check-in.5. Go through the ‘Immigration and Customs’ then find the ‘Tax Refund Counter’ Now you need to go through the Immigration/Customs first and then find the nearest Tax Refund Counter to get your money back.The Tax Refund Counters are now located:

• At Incheon International Airport: Departure Level (3rd Floor) outside Gate 28
• At Gimhae International Airport: 2nd Floor, after passing through the immigration, turn right.

At the tax refund counters, you need to show the following items:

• Your receipts
• Tax refund slips
• Passport
• Credit card (the credit card name needs to match the name in the passport)

“Besides going to the Tax Refund Counters, there are Tax Refund Machines available. If you use the Tax Refund Machines, you can scan your receipts and get your money back.”6. Choose your Tax Refund options: the payment

• Cash: you can choose cash back if you want.
• Credit card: you can get your tax refund back via credit card. This can take 1 or 2 months.