What makes an import 'personal use' in Korea?

A shipment for the recipient's own use, within the USD 150 CIF duty-free value and reasonable per-item quantities. It clears simply, often under list clearance, with the recipient's PCCC.

How many supplement bottles can I send?

For personal use, commonly up to about 6 bottles of vitamins/health-functional food. More is treated as a formal import needing declaration.

How much food can I send personally?

Processed, sealed food is generally allowed up to around 5 kg for personal use; meat/dairy/fresh items are barred on quarantine grounds regardless of quantity.

What's the perfume limit?

Around 60 ml of perfume is duty-free; beyond that it's taxed, and alcohol-based sprays are dangerous goods by air in any case.

How many of one item is 'too many'?

There's no single number, but multiple identical units (e.g. 20 of one cream) signals resale and can flip the parcel to commercial assessment. Keep personal parcels varied and modest.

When does it become a commercial import?

When quantities or value indicate resale, when the recipient is a business, or on repeated similar shipments. Commercial imports need a business number and formal declaration.

Do personal limits avoid duty?

Under USD 150 CIF, yes — no duty or VAT. Over it, tax applies even for personal use, and DDP is the clean way to handle it.

Can I split a big order into personal parcels?

No — customs can aggregate parcels to the same recipient and re-assess as one commercial consignment, with penalties.

What documents does personal use need?

Usually just an accurate description, honest value and the recipient's PCCC. Restricted items add a permit/prescription.

How do I stay within the rules?

Send your item list to WhatsApp +91 78003 20078 and we'll confirm whether it's personal-use clean or should go the commercial route.

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Personal-Use Import Limits for South Korea (2026): Quantities, Values & When It Becomes 'Commercial'

Korea treats personal parcels very differently from commercial ones. Cross a quantity or value line and your simple parcel becomes a formal import. Here are the practical limits for the items people actually send.

15 June 2026 7 min read

By ShipKorea.in Editorial Team·Reviewed by India–Korea logistics specialists

Personal-Use Import Limits for South Korea (2026): Quantities, Values & When It Becomes 'Commercial'

Key takeaways

Personal use is defined by value (USD 150 CIF de-minimis) and reasonable quantities per item.
Rules of thumb: supplements ≤6 bottles, processed food ≤5 kg, perfume ≤60 ml duty-free, a few units per cosmetic/medicine.
Repeat shipments or resale quantities are treated as commercial, needing a formal import declaration.
Stay within limits and declare honestly to keep parcels on the fast personal-clearance track.

Quick answer — personal use is value + quantity

Korea treats a parcel as 'personal use' when it's for the recipient's own use, within the USD 150 CIF duty-free value, and in reasonable per-item quantities. That parcel clears fast under simplified list clearance with the recipient's PCCC. Push past the value or quantity lines and it becomes a formal — often commercial — import. Knowing the limits keeps you on the easy track.

The value line: USD 150 CIF

The duty-free de-minimis is USD 150 of CIF value (item + freight + insurance); US-origin goods get USD 200. Under it, no duty or VAT. Over it, both apply to the full value. This is the first test customs apply to any personal parcel.

Per-item quantity rules of thumb

Supplements/health-functional food: about 6 bottles. Processed sealed food: around 5 kg (no meat/dairy/fresh). Perfume: about 60 ml duty-free. Cosmetics and medicines: a few personal units. These aren't loopholes to max out — they're the ceiling before formal handling kicks in.

The 'too many identical units' trap

Even under the value limit, twenty of the same lipstick or ten identical supplement tubs reads as resale. Customs can reclassify the parcel as commercial, demanding a business number and declaration. Personal parcels look personal: varied, modest, for one household.

When it's really commercial

If the recipient is a business, the quantities are clearly for resale, or you send similar shipments repeatedly, it's a commercial import. That's not a problem — it just needs an IEC-side export, a Korean business importer and a formal declaration, all of which we handle. Don't disguise it as personal.

Tax still applies over the line

Personal status doesn't exempt tax above USD 150 — duty plus 10% VAT apply. For anything over the threshold, DDP lets us pre-pay and quote one landed price so the recipient isn't chased for money at the door.

How to stay clean and clear fast

Keep values under USD 150 where you can, respect the per-item limits, declare honestly with the recipient's PCCC, and add any permit a restricted item needs. Not sure which side of the line you're on? WhatsApp +91 78003 20078 with your list. Related: Korea de-minimis & import tax, restricted items to Korea, PCCC personal customs code.