Bringing in a Vehicle - Korean Customs

Cars and Motorcycles can be brought into Korea, but may be subject to duty/taxes.

AUTOMOBILES:
Ownership: Any car brought into Korea must have been registered in the name of the person bringing it in for at least three months prior to shipping.

Duty: All foreign made cars, be they new or used, are subject to customs. The rate of duty levied on new cars is based on engine displacement, while the duty on used cars is calculated from the residual value of the vehicle after depreciation.  (Visit the Korea Customs Service Website for details or contact the main office at 82-42-472-2120)

Duty Free: If you have diplomatic or SOFA status, you can bring an automobile into Korea duty-free. However, you cannot sell it or transfer it to someone else for three years after it has cleared customs. A sale after three years is subject to duty.

Documents required:
- Title
- Original Registration Certificate
- Original Purchase Receipt/Invoice
- Insurance Policy (can be original or copy)

Shipment: The vehicle must be listed on your shipment inventory with full technical specifications (make, model, plate number, year, etc).

Owner already in Korea: If the owner has been in country longer than 6 months, the car is classified as not being part of household goods and must undergo the following examinations after clearing customs:
- Emission gas level inspection by the National Environmental Institute or the Ministry of the Environment, Pollution Department
- Noise and vibration inspection by the Ministry of the Environment, Noise and Vibration Department
- Type and Model Approval by the Korea Automobile Test and Research Institute
The above generally applies only if the automobile is not classified as household goods.


MOTORCYCLES:
Ownership: Used or new motorcyle imported into Korea must be in the name of the shipper or an accompanying family member.

Duty: All foreign-made motorcyles, new or used, are subject to Korean customs at the rate of the residual value of the bike after depreciation, shich become taxable based on the resale value in Korea as determined by the KCA.

Duty Free: If you have diplomatic or SOFA status, you can bring a motorcyle into Korea duty-free but it can not be sold or transfered to someone else for three years after it has cleared customs. If sold after the three years, it will be subject to customs duty.

Documents required:
- Original Registration Certificate
- Original Receipt or Invoice
- Insurance Policy (can be original or copy)

Shipment: The shipment inventory must contain full technical specifications on the motorcyle (make, model, plate number, year, etc.)

Inspections: All motorcyles over 50CC must undergo the following inspection as well as those where the owner has been in country for more than 6 months and where the motorcyle is not considered household goods.
- Emission gas level inspection by the National Environmental Institute or the Ministry of the Environment, Pollution Department
- Noise and vibration inspection by the Ministry of the Environment, Noise and Vibration Department
- Type and Model Approval by the Korea Automobile Test and Research Institute


(Visit the Korea Customs Service Website for details or contact the main office at 82-42-472-2120).


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