"Overseas Direct Purchase Tax Refunds Now Available via Mobile"

It will become possible to apply for customs duty refunds via mobile when returning items purchased through overseas direct purchase.

Provided by Korea Customs Service

The Korea Customs Service announced that it will implement the 'Mobile Customs Duty Refund Service' starting from the 24th.

Previously, when returning overseas direct purchase items, it was inconvenient because the refund application for taxes already paid to customs had to be made.

Customs duty refund applications were only possible through the PC-based electronic customs clearance system, and procedures such as registering a joint certificate were cumbersome. Additionally, after applying for a customs duty refund, there was the hassle of having to directly inquire with customs about the processing status.

However, going forward, individual taxpayers returning overseas direct purchase items will be able to check their import and tax payment details and apply for refunds of customs duties already paid via smartphones and other mobile devices.

The service can be used after installing the mobile Korea Customs Service app and completing simple identity verification through platforms like Kakao or Naver. The completion of refund payments will also be notified via KakaoTalk or text message.

Yoon Dong-joo, Director of the Tax Base Review Division at the Korea Customs Service, said, “In the era of 100 million overseas direct purchases, we will continue to increase digital innovation cases by integrating digital technology into customs administration so that the public can conveniently pay and receive customs refunds via mobile.”