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Estimated Refund
₩ 0
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VAT (10%)
₩0
Included VAT
Service Fee
-₩0
Avg. operator fee
Net refund rate
About 7%
Final estimate
Choose your refund method
🏙️ Downtown instant refund
✈️ Airport refund
Downtown instant refund: Collect cash right away at places such as the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center and Doota Mall.
A temporary card hold may be placed and will be released automatically after you scan your documents at the airport.
Explore More Guides
From refund steps to shopping recommendations
📖
3-Minute Guide
Step-by-step refund instructions
›
🛍️
Seoul Shopping Guide
Best picks in Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Hongdae
›
✈️
Airport Refund Guide
Find the right spot in Incheon T1 & T2
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❓
FAQ
20 essential questions answered
›
🔍 How to Find Tax-Free Stores in Korea
Not every store offers tax refunds
Quick Tip
How to identify a tax-free store
Look for Global Blue or Global Tax Free stickers near the entrance or checkout counter.
Major chains: Olive Young, Daiso, Lotte Department Store, and Shinsegae Department Store usually participate in tax refund programs.
Minimum spend: You must spend at least ₩15,000 in one store to qualify.
Instant Refund
Instant Refund (under ₩1,000,000)
If a single receipt is under ₩1,000,000, show your passport at checkout and the tax can be deducted immediately. No airport stop required.
Airport Refund
Airport Refund (₩1,000,000+)
If one receipt is ₩1,000,000 or more, or your total spend during the trip exceeds ₩5,000,000, you must complete the refund process at an Incheon Airport (T1/T2) kiosk before departure.
🧾 Korea Tax Refund Guide
A complete refund walkthrough in just 3 minutes
🧳 What you need: passport · original receipt · tax refund form · credit card
1
Shop at an approved tax-free store
Check the logo: Look for Global Blue, Global Tax Free, or Easy Tax near the entrance or checkout. Refunds only work at participating stores.
Minimum spend: Spend at least ₩15,000 in one store.
Get the form: Show your passport at checkout and ask for a tax refund form. Keep both the form and the receipt safe.
💡 Looking for a nearby tax-free store? Browse more than 2,000 tax refund locations on the Pglemaps map.
2
Choose your refund method
Downtown instant refund (recommended): You can collect cash right away at the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center (KEB Hana Bank annex, 1F), Doota Mall, or other self-service kiosks around the city. A temporary credit-card hold may appear and will be released automatically after airport scanning.
Airport refund: Apply at Incheon Airport on your departure day. This is required if a single receipt is ₩1,000,000 or more.
⚠️ Important: Even if you already collected cash downtown, you still must scan your documents at the airport before departure.
3
Final airport step (departure day)
Receipts under ₩75,000: After immigration, scan your passport and form at a self-service kiosk. (T1 Gate 28, T2 Gates 249–253)
Receipts of ₩75,000 or more: Visit the customs deskbefore baggage check-in. Staff may ask to inspect the actual items.
Final step: Collect cash at the refund counter near the kiosk, or wait for card reimbursement (usually 2–4 weeks).
✅ If you already received cash downtown
Simply scan your passport and documents at the airport kiosk. It usually takes under 2 minutes, and the card hold is released automatically.
⚠️ Must-Know Warnings
Do not open or use tax-refund items before leaving Korea.
If you leave without completing customs verification at the airport, your card may be charged a penalty larger than the refund itself.
If a single receipt is over ₩75,000, complete the process at the airport customs desk before check-in.
Browse Other Guides
🛍️
Shopping Guide
Top picks in Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Hongdae
✈️
Airport Guide
Step-by-step guide for T1 & T2
❓
FAQ
20 key questions answered
🧮
Refund Calculator
Check your estimated refund
✦ 2026 Shopping Guide
A practical roundup of the best tax-refund-friendly stores across Seoul shopping districts.
🧴 Myeongdong
💎 Gangnam
🎨 Hongdae
🌙 Dongdaemun
🏬 Department Stores
📍 At a Glance by District
See where to shop before you go
🧴
Myeongdong
Capital of K-beauty & cosmetics
💎
Gangnam
Luxury & premium fashion
🎨
Hongdae
Indie fashion & artsy souvenirs
🌙
Dongdaemun
Late-night fashion & wholesale
🧴
Myeongdong (明洞)
K-Beauty Hotspot
One of Seoul’s biggest tourist shopping zones, packed with K-beauty stores and tax-refund partners. If skincare is high on your list, this is the fastest place to collect multiple refund receipts. Downtown Global Tax Free kiosks are also easy to access here.
💡 Myeongdong refund tip: There is a Global Tax Free kiosk inside the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center (KEB Hana Bank annex, 1F), so you can collect cash without waiting for the airport. Bring your credit card.
🛒 What to Buy in Myeongdong
🧴 Serums & essences
💄 Lip products
🎭 Sheet masks
☀️ Sunscreen
🧖 Cushion foundation
🎁 Gift sets
💎
Gangnam (江南)
Luxury & high-end
Gangnam is one of Seoul’s most affluent districts, lined with premium boutiques and upscale brands. The core shopping areas are Apgujeong Rodeo Street and the COEX Mall zone.
Luxury & high-end
Korean designers
Premium skincare
👗
Apgujeong Rodeo Street
Luxury boutiques and designer multi-brand stores
Global Blue
Refund available ✓
🏢
COEX Mall
Large mixed-use mall with a wide brand mix
Global Tax Free
Refund available ✓
🌟
Sinsa Garosu-gil
Trendy boutiques, cafes, and galleries
Global Blue
Refund available ✓
🎨
Hongdae (弘大)
Indie & creative shopping
Hongdae, near Hongik University, is known for its youthful and creative energy. It is ideal for indie brands, vintage shops, quirky souvenirs, and art-driven gifts.
Indie fashion
Vintage
K-art souvenirs
Youth trends
👟
Musinsa Standard
Flagship store of Korea’s leading online fashion platform
Global Tax Free
Refund available ✓
🎵
K-pop merch shops
Official merchandise for artists like BTS and BLACKPINK
Easy Tax
Refund available ✓
🌙
Dongdaemun (東大門)
Late-night fashion wholesale
Dongdaemun is Seoul’s fashion wholesale hub and stays active late into the night. It is a good place to find trend-driven clothing at accessible prices.
🏙️
Doota Mall
On-site instant refund kiosk available
Instant Refund ⭐
Refund available ✓
👔
Dongdaemun Designer Club
Cluster of emerging designer boutiques
Global Blue
Refund available ✓
🏬
Department Stores
One-stop premium shopping
Lotte, Shinsegae, and Hyundai Department Stores offer a one-stop premium shopping experience, from luxury fashion to gourmet food. Most locations operate their own refund desks.
🛒
Lotte Department Store Main Branch (Myeongdong)
Tax refund desk on the first floor
Global Blue
Refund available ✓
🏪
Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam
One of Korea’s biggest department stores with a full luxury wing
Global Blue
Refund available ✓
🌟
Hyundai Department Store Pangyo
Premium lifestyle selection
Global Tax Free
Refund available ✓
✈️ Incheon Airport Refund Guide
Locations and step-by-step instructions for T1 & T2
T1
Terminal 1
Customs desk (₩75,000+): Visit the customs desk on the 3F departures level before baggage check-in.
Self-service kiosk (under ₩75,000): After immigration, use the tax refund kiosk near Gate 28.
Cash pickup: Collect cash at the refund counter next to the kiosk.
T2
Terminal 2
Customs desk (₩75,000+): Visit the customs desk on the 3F departures level before baggage check-in.
Self-service kiosk (under ₩75,000): After immigration, use the kiosk near Gates 249–253.
Cash pickup: Collect cash at the refund counter next to the kiosk.
⚠️ Note: Even if you already collected cash in the city, you still need to scan your passport and documents at the airport kiosk. If you skip this step, the deposit will be charged.
🧮
Refund Calculator
Check your estimated refund
📖
Guide
Complete 3-minute summary
❓ FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about tax refunds