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Shopping in Korea: Where to Shop, Tax-Free and Taking It Home

Where visitors shop in Korea, how tax-free and instant tax refunds work, which payment methods stores take, and the airport rules for packing cosmetics.

This hub explains how shopping works for visitors: the types of shops, how to pay, how to get the tax back, and how to pack what you bought. It does not rank brands or stores, and KoreaStep has no shopping partners.

Types of shops

  • Health and beauty chains sell skincare, makeup and toiletries at street prices. Read the Olive Young guide for how one large chain works.
  • Department stores generally open from 10:30 to 20:00 Monday to Thursday and to 20:30 Friday to Sunday and on public holidays, and usually close one day a month (VisitKorea, updated August 2025).
  • Duty-free shops in airports and city centers sell goods with VAT and individual consumption tax already removed (VisitKorea).
  • Traditional markets and street stalls may take only cash (VisitKorea).
  • Shopping streets. Myeongdong, around Namdaemun Market, is part of a designated special tourist zone (Jung-gu Office). See the Myeongdong shopping guide.

The three tasks to learn first

  1. Get the tax back. Look for "Tax Free" or "Tax Refund" signs and show your passport at checkout. The instant refund at the till is called 즉시환급jeuksi hwangeupInstant tax refund. Leave Korea within three months of purchase.
  2. Pay without problems. Most stores take international cards. Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay work at ZeroPay member stores. Keep cash for stalls.
  3. Pack cosmetics for the flight. On international flights from Incheon, liquids, gels and sprays in your carry-on must be in containers of 100 ml or less, in one transparent 1 L bag per person. In checked bags, non-flammable sprays are limited to 500 ml per item and 2 L in total (Incheon Airport). Duty-free liquids must stay in the sealed duty-free liquid bag, and a transfer airport abroad may apply its own rules (Incheon Airport).

Sales seasons

Many stores hold sales in the off-seasons, usually June to August and December to February (VisitKorea). Prices on the shelf already include tax.

Start here

  1. Bring your passport when you shop. Tax refunds need it.
  2. Read the Olive Young guide for checkout, testers and packing liquids.
  3. Plan a visit to Myeongdong with its tourist information center and Namdaemun Market next door.
  4. Before you fly, check the tax refund steps at the airport.

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