ToKorea.org

๐Ÿงญ Before You Go

Everything to sort out before you fly: how you enter, what you can bring, and a simple order to do it in.

Do it in this order

  1. 1Check how you enterVisa-free or visa, and whether you need a K-ETA.
  2. 2Submit the e-Arrival cardFree and online, up to three days before arrival.
  3. 3Know the customs rulesAllowances, what to declare and the cash limit.
  4. 4Sort what you bringProhibited items, food, medicine and batteries.
  5. 5Get insured and connectedTravel insurance, a phone plan and your maps.
  6. 6Run the last-week checklistA countdown from one week out to departure day.

Key facts

  • K-ETA fee: โ‚ฉ10,000, non-refundable, valid up to 3 years. Apply at least 72 hours before departure.
  • e-Arrival card: free, up to 3 days before arrival, valid 72 hours after you submit it.
  • Duty-free: US$800 of goods, 2 L of alcohol (up to US$400), 200 cigarettes, 100 ml of perfume.
  • Declare cash worth more than US$10,000, and almost all fresh fruit and vegetables are prohibited.
  • Power: 220 V, two round pins. Emergency numbers: 112, 119, 1330, 1345.

Checked against official pages on 2026-10-07. Rules change, so confirm before you travel.

Medicine

Three questions to answer before you pack your medicine.

1Do I take any medicine regularly?

If you do, sort it out before you pack:

  • Make a list of every medicine you take: the active ingredient (generic name), the dose and how long you will be away.
  • Bring enough for the whole trip, with a few spare days in case your flight is delayed.
  • Ask your doctor for a letter or prescription in English that names the medicine and what it is for, and keep a photo of it on your phone.

2Is the medicine I am bringing allowed?

Most everyday medicine is fine, but a few common drugs are controlled in Korea:

  • Medicines that contain narcotic ingredients, such as some sleeping pills, cold medicines and painkillers, need prior approval from Koreaโ€™s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, even if they were prescribed abroad. Bringing them without approval can be punished under Koreaโ€™s narcotics law.
  • Check the ingredient list on the label, or ask your doctor or pharmacist, before you pack.
  • Over-the-counter medicine for personal use can clear customs without extra requirements up to 6 bottles or a three-month dose. Health supplements count as personal use up to 6 bottles worth US$600 or less.

3What should I know or prepare when I carry medicine?

  • Keep medicine in its original packaging, and carry the doctorโ€™s letter or prescription in English.
  • Liquid medicine over 100 ml in your cabin bag needs a doctorโ€™s note or prescription in Korean or English, and only the amount you need for the flight can go in the cabin.
  • Keep your medicine in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage, so you always have it with you.
  • If you run out or get a minor problem in Korea, pharmacists can recommend over-the-counter medicine, and tourist-area pharmacies may show a โ€œLanguage assistance availableโ€ sign. Duty pharmacies open at night, on weekends and on holidays.
  • If you take complex medication, bring an English prescription from your clinic.

Read the full guide: Medicine and Prescription Rules for Visiting KoreaCan I...? Health & Medicine

Electricity

What is the voltage and plug in Korea?

Voltage
220 V
Standard household voltage in Korea.
Frequency
60 Hz
Standard in Korea.
Plug
Two round pins
Type C / Type F sockets. Bring a plug adapter if your plug is a different shape.

Plugs that fit Korean sockets

Korean sockets take plugs with two round pins. These are the two types you will see most often.

Type C plug (Europlug) with two round pins
Type C: EuroplugTwo round pins, no earth pin.Photo: Markus Kuhn, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Type F plug (Schuko) with two round pins and earth clips
Type F: Schuko plugTwo round pins with earth clips on the sides.Photo: Chamaeleon, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The photos show example plugs of types C and F, which fit Korean sockets. They are not photos of a Korean wall socket.

Will my devices work?

  • Look at the small print on your charger or device. If it says โ€œ100โ€“240 Vโ€, as most phone and laptop chargers do, it works in Korea and you only need a plug adapter.
  • If it says โ€œ110 Vโ€ only, such as some hair dryers and shavers, it needs a voltage converter, or leave it at home.
  • Plug adapters are easy to buy in Korea too, so a forgotten one is not a disaster.

K-ETA vs the e-Arrival Card

Two different things, often confused. Here is how they differ.

K-ETAe-Arrival Card
What is it?Electronic travel authorization: an online permission to travel to Korea.An online arrival form for immigration. It replaced the paper arrival card.
Does every traveler need it?It depends on your nationality and situation. Many nationalities are temporarily exempt through December 31, 2026.It depends on who you are. If you hold a valid K-ETA you do not need it; foreign visitors without a K-ETA submit one.
CostPaid: โ‚ฉ10,000, non-refundable.Free.
When?Leave plenty of time before you leave. Apply at least 72 hours before departure.Within 3 days before you enter Korea. It is valid for 72 hours after you submit it.
Official siteK-ETA e-Arrival Card

In short: Check whether you need a K-ETA first. If you have one, you can skip the e-Arrival card. If you do not, submit the e-Arrival card shortly before you arrive.

K-ETA Explained: Who Needs It and How to Apply Korea e-Arrival Card: Who Needs It and How to Submit

Guides

Tools and quick answers