Work it out Out and about
Get Your Tax Back
Enter what you paid at one store on one day. We'll estimate what you could get back.
Refund thresholds last checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the official source.
Typical refund after fees
- VAT inside the price
- Instant refund at the store?
Exchange rate: European Central Bank via frankfurter.app, 2026-10-26.
How the estimate works
Prices in Korea include 10% VAT, so the tax inside any price is the price divided by 11. Refund operators keep a fee, so in practice you get back part of that VAT. We show a typical range of 60–80% of the VAT; the exact amount depends on the operator's refund table.
The rules we use
| Minimum purchase (one store, one day) | ₩15,000 |
|---|---|
| Instant refund limit per purchase | Under ₩1,000,000 |
| Instant refund limit per trip | ₩5,000,000 |
Tips
- Look for "Tax Free" or "Tax Refund" signs at the counter and bring your passport when you shop.
- Keep refund receipts and unused goods handy until you leave the country; customs may ask to see them.
Questions people ask
Where do I get my refund?
At participating stores you can often get the VAT taken off at the till for purchases under ₩1,000,000, up to ₩5,000,000 per trip. Otherwise claim it at a downtown refund booth or at the airport before you leave. Bring your passport when you shop.
Why is the refund less than the full 10% VAT?
Refund operators deduct a fee, so you get back part of the tax included in the price. We show a typical range; the exact amount depends on the operator's refund table.
Do I need to show my purchases when I leave?
Customs may ask to see refunded goods and receipts when you depart, so keep them handy until you have left Korea. You must leave within three months of the purchase.