Tax back on your beauty haul

At the till

Stores with a Tax Free or Tax Refund sign take the tax off before you pay. Hand over your physical passport first.

Big tourist-area beauty stores, including OLIVE YOUNG’s Town stores, offer it at the tills.

The limits

One payment must be at least 15,000 won and under 1,000,000 won, and immediate refunds are capped at 5,000,000 won for the whole trip. Above that, ask for a refund receipt and claim downtown or at the airport.

The goods must leave Korea with you within three months. A refund operator’s fee means you get back slightly less than the full tax.

Small habits that help

Put the day’s shopping through as one payment so the receipt clears the minimum. Keep receipts together in case customs asks to see them.