“Palm Authentication for Purchases”… Lotte Duty Free Introduces Industry’s First Vein-Based Payment Service

Collaboration with Korea Airports Corporation, Service Launched at Gimpo Airport Branch
Biometric Data Integration for Domestic Customers
Identity Verification and Boarding Information Provided
Duty-Free Purchases Available Without Passport or Credit Card

On September 5, Lotte Duty Free announced that it has introduced a jugular vein-based biometric authentication and payment service at its Gimpo Airport branch, becoming the first in the domestic duty-free industry to allow customers to verify their identity and purchase products using their palm.

Lotte Duty Free, the first in the industry to introduce a palmar vein-based biometric authentication and payment service at Gimpo Airport branch. Provided by Lotte Duty Free

Through this service, domestic customers can purchase duty-free goods by simply entering their mobile phone number and authenticating their biometric veins, without needing to present a passport, boarding pass, or payment card. As a result, the company expects that the payment waiting time during the purchase process will be reduced and customer convenience will be significantly improved.

This service was made possible through improvements to relevant regulations by the Korea Customs Service and collaboration with Korea Airports Corporation. Customers can register their jugular vein information at a kiosk inside the Gimpo Airport international terminal, after which Lotte Duty Free uses this information to verify their identity and receive boarding information to facilitate the purchase process. Payment cards can be registered through Korea Airports Corporation’s application, “Smart Airport.”

To commemorate the launch of the service, Lotte Duty Free is offering a 5,000 won discount to customers who spend over 100 dollars at the Gimpo Airport branch until September 30. Korea Airports Corporation will also hold a drawing for coffee coupons for customers who register their payment cards on the Smart Airport app until October 13. Based on customer satisfaction, the service is planned to be expanded to Gimhae Airport in the future.

A Lotte Duty Free representative stated, “With the introduction of the biometric authentication and payment service, we expect the purchasing convenience for customers using the Gimpo Airport duty-free shop to greatly improve,” adding, “We will continue to lead the digital transformation of the duty-free industry and consistently introduce various innovative services to enhance the customer experience.”