Most visitors can take Korean VAT off their shopping. At many stores it comes off the price before you pay; you only need your passport.
Who can claim it
Foreign visitors staying in Korea for up to six months qualify, as do overseas Koreans who have lived abroad for two years or more and are staying three months or less. Goods must be new and taken out of Korea within three months of purchase.
The immediate refund: the easy way
Look for “Tax Free” or “Tax Refund” signs at the entrance or till. Hand over your passport before you pay and the tax is taken off the total, so there is nothing to claim later.
A single payment must be at least 15,000 won and under 1,000,000 won, and immediate refunds are capped at 5,000,000 won across your whole trip. Department stores were first to offer it; many road shops and some convenience stores now do too, including Olive Young Myeongdong Town and several Musinsa Standard branches.
Bigger purchases: downtown booths and the airport
Above those limits, pay the full price and ask for a tax refund receipt. You can claim at a downtown refund booth (up to 6,000,000 won per receipt) or at the airport before you check in. Downtown booths only refund their own company’s receipts; airport counters take all of them.
If you claim downtown, you still have to report the refund at the airport customs counter when you leave. Keep the goods unused and to hand.
Small things that save time
Carry your physical passport while shopping. Combine purchases into one payment where you can, so each receipt clears 15,000 won. Refund operators charge a service fee, so the amount you get back is a little less than the full tax.