Counterfeit Goods → South Korea

Counterfeit Goods import prohibited

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.

Quantity limit

Any quantity prohibited under Trademark Act (Act No. 4210); Korea Customs Service seizes — no personal-use exemption

Documentation required

• No permits available; KCS seizure notice issued

Leaving with this item

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.

Practical advice

Do not carry counterfeit branded goods into South Korea. Korea Customs Service seizes counterfeits at all ports of entry under IPR enforcement rules; commercial-quantity carriage attracts criminal-trafficking charges in addition to civil forfeiture.

Customs authority

Korea Customs Service (KCS) · https://www.customs.go.kr