KoreaClear · Travel answer
How do tourist tax refunds work, and what should I say at the shop?
Short answer
Ask whether the shop offers an immediate tax refund or a later refund. For a later refund, request the refund voucher: an ordinary sales receipt alone is not the required refund document.
What to do
- Present your passport and ask: “Do you offer an immediate tax refund, or should I request a refund voucher?”
- Check the refund type and follow the provider's departure instructions for the goods.
Check before relying on this
- Ask the store or refund provider about missing documents; retrieval or reissue is not guaranteed.
More details and examples ExpandCollapse
What the cashier might ask
A useful example to recognise is “Tax refund?” or “Do you need a tax refund?” You can answer “Yes, please. Is it immediate, or do I need a refund voucher?” These are suggested conversation examples, not a guaranteed script used by every store.
Immediate versus later refund
If the refund is processed immediately at purchase, do not assume you need to claim it again at departure. If it is a later refund, obtain and retain the provider’s required voucher and follow its export-confirmation instructions. Ask the shop to identify which type was processed.
Practical detail and remaining limits
Show: 택스리펀드 되나요? 환급 전표를 발급해 주세요. — Is a tax refund available? Please issue the refund voucher. Check that the passport details and purchase are correctly recorded before leaving.
Sources and provider examples
External sources may use another language.
Sources last checked: . Rules, hours and services can change.