Understanding how to declare items when entering Korea is crucial for a smooth arrival. This guide covers the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases needed for the import declaration process at customs, helping you navigate interactions with officials confidently and correctly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 수입 신고하기
Pronunciation: su-ip sin-go-ha-gi
Meaning: Declaring imports (The act of declaring imported goods)
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 세관
Pronunciation: se-gwan
Meaning: Customs -
Expression: 세관 신고서
Pronunciation: se-gwan sin-go-seo
Meaning: Customs declaration form -
Expression: 신고하다
Pronunciation: sin-go-ha-da
Meaning: To declare -
Expression: 물품 / 물건
Pronunciation: mul-pum / mul-geon
Meaning: Item(s), goods -
Expression: 관세
Pronunciation: gwan-se
Meaning: Customs duty, tariff -
Expression: 면세
Pronunciation: myeon-se
Meaning: Duty-free -
Expression: 면세 한도
Pronunciation: myeon-se han-do
Meaning: Duty-free allowance/limit -
Expression: 과세 대상
Pronunciation: gwa-se dae-sang
Meaning: Subject to taxation -
Expression: 영수증
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung
Meaning: Receipt -
Expression: 개인 사용 목적
Pronunciation: gae-in sa-yong mok-jeok
Meaning: For personal use -
Expression: 반입 금지 물품
Pronunciation: ban-ip geum-ji mul-pum
Meaning: Prohibited items -
Expression: 검사
Pronunciation: geom-sa
Meaning: Inspection
Basic Declaration Phrases
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Expression: 신고할 물건이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sin-go-hal mul-geon-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have items to declare. -
Expression: 신고할 물건이 없습니다.
Pronunciation: sin-go-hal mul-geon-i eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have nothing to declare. -
Expression: 세관 신고서를 작성해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-gwan sin-go-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fill out a customs declaration form? -
Expression: 이것은 제 개인 물품입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun je gae-in mul-pum-im-ni-da.
Meaning: These are my personal belongings. -
Expression: 이것은 선물입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun seon-mul-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is a gift. -
Expression: 영수증 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the receipt. -
Expression: 면세 한도를 초과했습니다.
Pronunciation: myeon-se han-do-reul cho-gwa-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have exceeded the duty-free allowance. -
Expression: 이 물품은 과세 대상인가요?
Pronunciation: i mul-pum-eun gwa-se dae-sang-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this item subject to tax? -
Expression: 관세를 내겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gwan-se-reul nae-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will pay the customs duty. -
Expression: 신고서를 어디서 받나요?
Pronunciation: sin-go-seo-reul eo-di-seo bat-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get a declaration form? -
Expression: 작성하는 것을 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: jak-seong-ha-neun geo-seul do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me fill this out.
Asking Questions about Import Declaration
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Expression: 면세 한도가 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: myeon-se han-do-ga eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the duty-free allowance? -
Expression: 이 물건을 신고해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i mul-geon-eul sin-go-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to declare this item? -
Expression: 관세율이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gwan-se-yul-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the tariff rate? -
Expression: 세금은 얼마를 내야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-geum-eun eol-ma-reul nae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How much tax do I have to pay? -
Expression: 어디에서 세금을 납부하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-e-seo se-geum-eul nap-bu-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do I pay the tax? -
Expression: 신용카드로 납부할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-yong-ka-deu-ro nap-bu-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay by credit card? -
Expression: 어떤 물품이 반입 금지인가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon mul-pum-i ban-ip geum-ji-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Which items are prohibited? -
Expression: 음식물을 신고해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eum-sing-mul-eul sin-go-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to declare food items? -
Expression: 이 약품은 반입 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i yak-pum-eun ban-ip ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this medication allowed to be brought in? -
Expression: 신고 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: sin-go jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the declaration procedure?
Responding to Customs Officials
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 아니요, 없습니다.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: No, I don’t have (any). -
Expression: 네, 가지고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-ji-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I have it. -
Expression: 가방을 열어 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ga-bang-eul yeo-reo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I open my bag? -
Expression: 이것은 제가 사용할 것입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun je-ga sa-yong-hal geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: I will use this myself. (It’s for personal use) -
Expression: 총 금액은 [금액]입니다.
Pronunciation: chong geu-mae-geun [geu-maek]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total amount is [amount]. -
Expression: 잘 모르겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jal mo-reu-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t know well. / I’m not sure. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check. -
Expression: 세관 신고서를 작성했습니다.
Pronunciation: se-gwan sin-go-seo-reul jak-seong-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have filled out the customs declaration form. -
Expression: 이것이 전부입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-si jeon-bu-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is all.
Korean Culture Notes
Honesty is Key: Korean customs value honesty. Always declare items accurately. Trying to hide items can lead to significant penalties and complications. If unsure, it’s always better to declare and ask.
Politeness Matters: Use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) when speaking with customs officials. Phrases ending in -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da) are appropriate. Maintain a respectful attitude throughout the process.
Be Prepared: Have your passport, declaration form (if required), and receipts for expensive items readily available. This speeds up the process and shows you are organized.
Understand Allowances: Familiarize yourself with Korea’s duty-free allowances before traveling (e.g., for alcohol, tobacco, perfume, and total value of goods). Limits can change, so check the official Korea Customs Service website for current information.
Restricted Items Awareness: Be aware of items that are restricted or prohibited, especially agricultural products, certain foods, and large amounts of currency. Declaring these items is mandatory and may require inspection or documentation.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A traveler (A) is at the customs declaration counter at Incheon Airport, speaking with a customs official (B).
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Expression: B: 여권과 세관 신고서 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-gwa se-gwan sin-go-seo bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me your passport and customs declaration form. -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, here they are. -
Expression: B: 신고하실 물품이 있으십니까?
Pronunciation: sin-go-ha-sil mul-pum-i i-sseu-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: Do you have any items to declare? -
Expression: A: 네, 이 가방에 선물용 화장품이 있습니다. 면세 한도를 조금 넘은 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i ga-bang-e seon-mul-yong hwa-jang-pum-i it-seum-ni-da. myeon-se han-do-reul jo-geum neo-meun geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I have some cosmetics as gifts in this bag. I think I might have slightly exceeded the duty-free allowance. -
Expression: B: 영수증 있으신가요? 총 금액이 얼마입니까?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung i-sseu-sin-ga-yo? chong geu-mae-gi eol-ma-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: Do you have the receipts? What is the total amount? -
Expression: A: 네, 영수증 여기 있습니다. 총 금액은 미화 850달러입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. chong geu-mae-geun mi-hwa pal-baek-o-sip-dal-leo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, here are the receipts. The total amount is 850 US dollars. -
Expression: B: 네, 면세 한도 초과분에 대해 관세를 납부하셔야 합니다. 저쪽 창구에서 납부해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, myeon-se han-do cho-gwa-bun-e dae-hae gwan-se-reul nap-bu-ha-syeo-ya ham-ni-da. jeo-jjok chang-gu-e-seo nap-bu-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you need to pay customs duty on the amount exceeding the allowance. Please pay at that counter over there. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. Thank you.
Practice Tips
Navigating customs can feel a bit intimidating, but knowing these phrases will make it much smoother! Try practicing the pronunciation out loud~ Listen to the sounds and repeat them until they feel natural.
Role-play the conversation example with a friend or practice answering potential questions from an official. Remember to always use polite, formal language! Knowing the key vocabulary like 세관 (se-gwan), 신고서 (sin-go-seo), and 관세 (gwan-se) will be very helpful. Good luck with your travels to Korea!
