How is import duty calculated in South Korea?

South Korea charges customs duty on the CIF value — the cost of the goods plus freight and insurance to the port of entry. The general duty rate is 8%, though many goods have lower or zero rates, and Free Trade Agreement origins (such as the EU or US) can reduce it to zero. The duty is added before VAT is worked out.

How much is import VAT?

Import VAT is 10% and is charged on the duty-inclusive value — that is, on the CIF value plus the customs duty (and any individual consumption tax). So VAT is effectively levied on a slightly larger base than the goods value alone, which is why the calculator adds duty first and then applies the 10%.

What is the de minimis threshold?

Personal imports with a customs value at or below about 150 US dollars are generally exempt from duty and import VAT (the threshold is 200 dollars for goods from the United States under the FTA). Above the threshold the full value becomes dutiable. The tool checks this and zeroes the tax for qualifying small shipments.

What is individual consumption tax?

Individual consumption tax (gaebyeol sobise) is an excise applied to specific or luxury goods — items such as certain cosmetics, jewellery, high-end watches, perfumes and large vehicles. Where it applies it is added before VAT, raising the base on which the 10% VAT is charged. Enter the applicable rate if your item is subject to it.

Does this include clearance and broker fees?

No. The estimate covers the statutory levies — customs duty, individual consumption tax and import VAT. Courier handling, customs broker and storage fees are charged separately by your carrier or agent and vary, so add them on top of the figure shown here for the true door cost.

South Korea Import Duty & Customs Calculator

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This South Korea import duty calculator estimates the full landed cost of bringing goods into Korea — customs duty, 10% import VAT, the ~150 USD de minimis exemption and any individual consumption tax on luxury items — so you can see the real cost before you buy.

How it works

Customs starts from the CIF value: goods cost plus freight and insurance to Korea. Small personal shipments at or below the de minimis threshold are exempt. Above it:

CIF              = goods + freight + insurance
customs duty     = CIF × duty rate (8% general; 0% under FTA)
excise (ICT)     = (CIF + duty) × consumption-tax rate   (luxury goods only)
import VAT       = (CIF + duty + excise) × 10%
landed cost      = CIF + duty + excise + VAT

Because VAT is charged on the duty- and excise-inclusive value, the order matters: duty and any consumption tax are added first, then the 10% VAT is applied on the larger base.

Example

Importing goods worth 900,000 won with 100,000 won freight gives a 1,000,000 won CIF value. At the general 8% duty that is 80,000 won duty; 10% VAT on 1,080,000 won is 108,000 won; with no excise the landed cost is about 1,188,000 won — nearly 19% above the goods value before any courier fees.

Notes

The 8% general rate is a default; check your product’s actual HS-code rate, which may be lower, zero, or reduced under an FTA. The estimate covers statutory levies only — courier handling, broker and storage fees are extra. Confirm with Korea Customs or your broker for high-value shipments.