Getting Tax Refund in Seoul

Despite the many blogs on how to obtain tax refund for purchases in Seoul, I was still confused when I had to do it during my recent trip (I only got back on 3 July 2016).  As such, I have decided to knock out this post, to provide the most recent information on the topic.

Assuming you did not go to a shop which does immediate refund (ie. you only need pay the tax-free price), there are 3 steps:-

1.  Get the Refund Slip
     This refers to a receipt-like slip that you get from the cashier after you inform him/her that you will be seeking tax refund.  This slip will either set out your details (name and passport number, because they scanned your passport) or have space for you to fill in these details.  Usually, the cashier will put your receipt and the Refund Slip in a separate envelope which has instructions on seeking tax refund.
   
      You need to spend a minimum sum (if I remember correctly, its 30,000KRW) in order to be eligible for tax refund.      Please remember to bring your passport along to show the cashier and ask for the Refund Slip if you intend to seek a tax refund.  

2.  Scan the Refund Slips at the kiosks at the airport (1st scan)
     Some blogs suggest that not all Refund Slips are valid at these kiosks (can be found near Row J and another Row which I can't remember, sorry).  This is not the case for me.  I had Refund Slips from all 3 tax refund "brands" (see below) and I could scan all my Refund Slips at the kiosks.  If you face any difficulties, feel free to ask the people (in red vests) manning the kiosks.
      
     (credit: http:// english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_1_4.jsp)
     
    Another thing that I read which does not seem to be the case anymore is that you must have "All Goods Exported" endorsed on your Refund Slips.  


    Based on my experience, this is no longer required so long as your total refund is not more than 50,000KRW.  You should be able to see a banner near the Customs next to the kiosks which state that all you need to do to claim tax refund is to scan your Refund Slips at the kiosks.  I confirmed this at the check-in counter where the lady informed me that getting the Refund Slips scanned = getting a "All Goods Exported" stamp on  your Refund Slips.

3.  Claim your tax refund (in cash)


     Do this after going through immigration.  There are kiosks near gate 27/28 where all you need to do is re-scan the Refund Slips (2nd scan) and the machine will dispense the amount to be refunded in cash. 

Miscellaneous points

Articles I read online suggests that you check-in to your flight before heading to the kiosks at Row J (ie. for the first scans) but not check-in your luggage until after the 1st scan (presumably because the customs officer may ask to check the items).  The articles say that you can check-in your luggage after the 1st scan of the Refund Slops at the oversized luggage counter near the Customs counter. 

I did not check-in before i did the 1st scans.  My process was: 1st scan --> check-in (together with luggage) --> dinner --> immigration --> 2nd scan (to get cash)

I took a midnight flight out of Seoul so there wasn't really any queue anywhere (not at the kiosks or at immigration).  That said, as advised elsewhere on the internet, it will be good to reach 3 hours prior to your flight in order to give yourself enough time to do everything that you need.  Please keep in mind that if your flight is on a non-Korean airline (eg. Singapore Airlines), you will need to take a shuttle train to another terminal so do build in time for that. 


I really hope this helps some of you.  Do let me know if you have any questions (I will try to answer them) or any tips and tricks.