Korea tax-refund estimator for beauty shopping
Korea refunds VAT to tourists on receipts of ₩15,000 or more; under ₩1,000,000 per receipt it is taken off at the till. Enter what you plan to spend at Olive Young and see the refund range and which route applies.
The thresholds
Minimum ₩15,000 per receipt at a Tax Free store. Instant refund at checkout for single receipts under ₩1,000,000 up to ₩5,000,000 per trip; larger receipts go through a downtown counter (up to ₩6,000,000) or the airport kiosk. Goods must leave Korea unopened within 3 months.
Why the refund is not the full 10%
VAT is 10%, but refund operators take a fee, so most shoppers see about 5–8% back. Combining small purchases onto one receipt at the same store is the easiest way to clear the minimum.
| Minimum per receipt | ₩15,000 at a Tax Free store |
|---|---|
| Instant refund at the till | Single receipt under ₩1,000,000; ₩5,000,000 total per trip |
| Downtown refund counter | Single receipt up to ₩6,000,000 |
| What comes back | VAT is 10%; after operator fees most shoppers see roughly 5–8% of the price |
| Conditions | Passport at checkout · goods unopened · leave Korea within 3 months of purchase |
Source: Korea Tourism Organization ↗. Thresholds change — confirm at the store or airport. Estimate your refund →
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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-09-04.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.