Always check before you buy
The Korea Customs Service maintains a list of goods that are prohibited from import. Even if an item ships successfully from China, it may be seized and disposed of at Korean customs — at the customer's expense.
If your item is found to be non-clearable after purchase but before dispatch, cancel the order immediately with the Chinese seller. Items not on this list may still be subject to restrictions, so contact the relevant authority before ordering when in doubt.
- Korea Customs Service: 125 (no area code required)
- MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety): 1577-1255
Items that cannot be imported
Content, security & intellectual property
- Content violating public order — books, publications, drawings, films, recordings, videos, sculptures or similar materials that undermine constitutional order, public safety or public morals
- Espionage & state secret materials — any item used for leaking government secrets or intelligence activities
- Counterfeit currency & securities — counterfeit, altered or forged currency, bonds and other negotiable instruments
- IP-infringing goods — any goods that infringe intellectual property rights, commonly known as counterfeit or replica products
Weapons, hazardous & flammable materials
- Weapons, explosives & toxic materials — firearms, bladed weapons, explosives and toxic substances (including replicas and decorative pieces). Import/export of firearms and explosives requires prior approval from the regional police commissioner
- Hazardous & flammable materials — dangerous goods including asbestos cloth (fireproof curtains) and other hazardous or flammable items
Narcotics & pharmaceuticals
- Narcotics & controlled substances — opium, cannabis, narcotics and products regulated under the Narcotics Control Act (import requires approval from the Minister of Health and Welfare)
- Illegal pharmaceuticals — any unlicensed or illegal drug products not approved for import by the MFDS
Food & animal-derived ingredients
- Products containing animal body parts — items with ingredients derived from chicken, beef, pork or other animal body parts, including supplements and foods containing these components
- Gelatin capsule supplements — health supplements enclosed in gelatin capsules derived from bovine (cowhide) sources
- Processed meat products — beef jerky and similar dried or cured meat products
- Quarantine-failed goods — any item that fails agricultural or veterinary quarantine inspection upon arrival in Korea
Cosmetics & other
- Acne-labelled cosmetics — cosmetics with 'ACNE' on the label containing salicylic acid (BHA) or benzoyl peroxide, classified as quasi-drugs in Korea and unable to be imported as cosmetics
- Adult products — adult novelty items and sex toys
Honey is allowed only in quantities of up to 5 kg; amounts exceeding 5 kg will be refused clearance.
Restricted items — quantity limits & conditions
The items below are not outright banned, but exceeding the listed quantity limits or failing to meet documentation requirements will result in clearance refusal, return or disposal at the importer's cost.
| Item | Limit | Requirement if exceeded |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamins, medicines & health supplements | 6 bottles per shipment | Over 6 bottles requires a doctor's note and advance customs approval (up to 6 without a prescription) |
| Dairy products (formula, baby food, cheese, etc.) | 5 kg | Over 5 kg requires a heat-treatment certification from the exporting country; without it the entire shipment is disposed of (no partial clearance) |
| Electronic devices (tablets, smartphones, TVs, etc.) | 1 unit per person | 2 or more units of the same category require approval under the Radio Waves Act before clearance |
| Electrical appliances | 1 unit per model | 2 or more units of the same model require an electrical safety certification (KC) before clearance |
This list is not exhaustive. Items not listed here may still be subject to import restrictions or require additional documentation. PTO China is not liable for customs refusals or disposal costs arising from prohibited or restricted goods, so confirm clearance eligibility before placing an order.