Korea Duty-Free Liquor Limit 2026: 2 Liters, $400, No Bottle Count Rule

Bottom line: Since March 21, 2025, Korea has scrapped its old rule limiting duty-free liquor to 2 bottles per traveler. Now the bottle count doesn't matter at all — you can bring in alcohol duty-free as long as the total volume is 2 liters or less and the total price is $400 or less.

If you didn't know: Plenty of travelers still think the old "2 bottles only" rule applies, and needlessly pass up good liquor out of fear of being taxed over a third or fourth small bottle. The opposite mistake is more costly: watching only the bottle count while ignoring volume and price. One traveler bought two 750ml whiskey bottles plus a 500ml bottle, for a total of 2.25 liters at $450 — over both limits — and ended up paying duty on the entire purchase. Whiskey and brandy carry a duty rate as high as 156%, so on a $400 bottle, the tax alone can add roughly the same amount again.

This article summarizes official guidance and is not legal, medical, or financial advice.

Stand in front of the glass liquor cases at a departure duty-free shop and the oaky smell of whiskey drifts past — some shops still have old signs reading "duty-free up to 2 bottles" hanging around. The new rule runs on volume and price, not bottle count. Buy three 750ml bottles and you're over at 2.25 liters, but five 350ml bottles only add up to 1.75 liters and stay within the limit. One question to the sales staff — "does this put me over 2 liters?" — settles the math on the spot, so check the volume printed on the label before you pick anything up, rather than scrambling at the register.

Journey stage: First hour · Verified 2026-10-19 · Source SBS Biz