Prohibited & Restricted Items

Prohibited/Restricted Items

Prohibited Items

* Books, photos, films, and other items of similar nature that may either be in violation of constitutional orders, or be harmful to public security and customs.
* Items that contain confidential information on government or intelligence activities.
* Counterfeit, forged, or fake money (coins & bills), bank notes, debentures, and other securities.

Restricted Items

• * All weapons (and their replicas/decorations), including guns, swords, gunpowder, explosives, toxins, etc.
  Importing military weapons and supplies requires prior approval from the Commissioner General of National Police Agency.
• * Drugs regulated by laws such as narcotics, opium, cocaine, hemp, marijuana/cannabis, and other hallucinogenic and psychotropic substances.
• * Wildlife protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES); products made from endangered/protected wildlife.
  Endangered/protected wildlife: Tigers, leopards, elephants, ostriches, owls, cobras, tortoises, crocodiles, sturgeons, corals, orchids, cacti, aloe plants, etc. Animal-based traditional medicine, including bear gall bladders and musk. Plant-based traditional medicine, including scabwort, cibotii rhizome, and gastrodia elata blume.
• * Means of payment (promissory notes, bills of exchange, and L/Cs not included), domestic currency (Korean won), and won-denominated travelers checks in amounts of over US $10,000 must be declared to Customs upon arrival and departure.
• * Cashier’s checks, overdraft checks, postal money orders, etc.
• * Jewelry (gold rings or necklaces used daily not included), and securities. (Restricted imports/exports)
• * Cultural properties. (Restricted exports)
• * Goods subject to the Fisheries Act and the Rules on Migration and Approval of Marine Animals and Plants. (Restricted export)
  Goods that may threaten the quality of marine resources and the growth of saplings for culturing. Goods designated as Natural Assets. Local specialties and rare goods.
• * Goods subject to the laws on the movement and treatment of wastes between countries. (Restricted imports/exports)
• * Plants, fruits & vegetables, and agricultural & forestry products. (Restricted imports/exports)
• * Animals (meat, skin, and fur) and livestock. (Restricted imports)

Items Prohibited Onboard

For the safety of aircraft operations and protection of passengers, some items are prohibited from being carried into an aircraft cabin. Any passenger attempting to carry any of the prohibited items onboard will have them confiscated, and may face criminal prosecution if criminal intent is suspected.

• Prohibited Items for Carry-On: Sharp or Dangerous Objects

  Sharp or dangerous objects like nail clippers, Swiss-army knives, scissors, and stationery knives are prohibited from being carried into an aircraft cabin. Some of these items can be checked in with the consent of the involved airline.

• Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols

  As of March 1, 2007, liquids, gels, and aerosols may not be carried into the cabin for all international flights (including transfers).
  
  

  Allowable Liquid Amounts: 1 liter capacity or less in a transparent sealable bag (Less than 100㎖ per liquid container) * 1-liter transparent sealable bags (zipper lock bags) are available for purchase at convenience stores, drug stores, and bookstores at airports.

• Rules for Carry-on Liquids:

  
  Sample of a transparent, sealable bag for carry-on

  Liquid containers must be placed inside a 1-liter transparent sealable bag. The bag (approximately 20㎝×20㎝) must be sealed or zip locked. Any bag not sealed or zip locked completely may not be carried into an aircraft cabin. The bag must be removed from the hand luggage for security inspection.

Exceptions

Food and medicine for people with special needs (i.e. infants, children, people with health problems, etc.) may be carried into an aircraft cabin.

Infant formula, bottled breast milk and other baby food/beverages for in-flight use only. Prescribed and over-the-counter medicine for in-flight use only. Special dietary food/beverages (e.g. gluten, lactose, etc.) required for passenger health and safety.
Special needs food and medicine must be reported to inspectors in advance.
Medicine names, medical statements, and prescription documents (prescription notes, medicine bags, sick notes, etc.) must accompany all prescription medicines. Some medicines, if deemed dangerous, may be prohibited from being carried into the cabin.