Tourists who make purchases in South Korea and spend over a certain amount are eligible for VAT refunds on goods purchased from participating stores.

The standard VAT rate in South Korea is 10%.

You must complete a VAT refund form at the store where the purchase was made and present the goods, receipts, and passport at the airport before departure.

No, only certain goods purchased for personal use are eligible. Items such as food, beverages, and services are usually excluded.

No, services are not eligible for VAT refunds in South Korea. Only goods are eligible for refunds.

Yes, there is a minimum purchase threshold for VAT refund eligibility. The amount varies, but generally, purchases need to exceed 30,000 KRW at a single store.

At the airport, you must visit the VAT refund counter with the goods, the tax refund form, your passport, and the receipts. The refund can be processed either in cash or via credit card.

The VAT refund process may take several days. It depends on the method of refund, but cash refunds are generally processed immediately at the airport.

No, only tourists who are not residents of South Korea can apply for a VAT refund on eligible purchases.

Yes, you must keep the purchased items in their original, unopened packaging to ensure they qualify for a VAT refund at the airport.

Yes, you can choose to have the VAT refund credited back to your credit card if the airport refund system supports this option.

Yes, a small handling fee is usually deducted from your VAT refund to cover administrative costs. This fee varies by the service provider.

You will need your passport, receipts, tax refund forms, and the purchased goods to claim your VAT refund at the airport.

If you forget to claim your VAT refund at the airport, it may not be possible to claim it later, as the process must be completed before departure.

No, VAT refunds are typically only available for in-store purchases made in person at participating retailers in South Korea.