Tax-free shopping during short cruise stopovers in South Korea is set to become significantly more convenient.
The Korea Customs Service announced that foreign cruise passengers visiting South Korea will be able to receive in-city tax refunds, starting from 6 April 2026.
Under the new system, overseas cruise passengers will be eligible for refunds on individual consumption tax and Value-Added Tax (VAT) items at designated duty-free stores.
Immediate refunds will be given for tax-excluded goods at participating stores, either at city refund counters before leaving the country or at seaport refund counters when departing on the cruises.
This tax refund system has long been applicable for international tourists who arrive by air.
It has however excluded cruise passengers who enter under a separate shore-excursion permit instead of the standard immigration process.
The customs agency expects the new system to shorten waiting time at customs clearances and allow easier tax refunds for cruise tourists during their brief stops.
Around 810,000 tourists visited South Korea via cruises in 2024, with numbers expected to hit two million this year.