Counterfeit Goods → 🇰🇷 South Korea

Full details

Counterfeit Goods import prohibited. Quantity guidance for South Korea: Any quantity prohibited under Trademark Act (Act No. 4210); Korea Customs Service seizes — no personal-use exemption. Documentation: No permits available; KCS seizure notice issued. Enforcement in South Korea carries fines from KRW 30,000,000 to KRW 300,000,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years in aggravated cases under Customs Act Art. 269; Narcotics Control Act. Because counterfeit goods is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by Korea Customs Service (KCS); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving South Korea with counterfeit goods is a separate question: prohibited — Counterfeit goods are unlawful to export from South Korea — trademark and customs law applies on departure as well as arrival, and carriage risks seizure and fines.

ENFORCEMENT

Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.

Leaving South Korea with counterfeit goods

Exporting counterfeit goods from South Korea is unlawful under trademark and customs legislation — counterfeits are contraband in both directions, and customs authorities seize them at exit as well as entry. Travellers carrying obviously fake branded goods (even for personal use) risk confiscation universally and fines in many jurisdictions; the EU, US, and others also seize inbound personal counterfeits. Market purchases of imitation goods should be assumed seizable at any border crossed.

OFFICIAL SOURCES · VERIFIED 2026-08-22