JEJU
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Money, payment & tax refund

⚠️ Outdated tips say “₩30,000 minimum” for tax refund — the current immediate-refund floor is ₩15,000. Buses do not accept foreign card taps.

Korea is card-friendly, but markets, small shops, and buses follow different rules. Exchange a small cash float; for shopping, look for Tax Free signs and keep your passport.

💱 Currency exchange

  • Jeju Airport (CJU): Jeju Bank counters (floors 1 & 3), ATMs — often worse rates than downtown. Exchange only ₩50,000–100,000 on arrival.
  • Downtown: Money Box Jeju — 1 Wonno-hyeong 4-gil, Jeju City (near Dream Tower). No airport branch.
  • Banks: Passport required; check weekend/holiday hours.
  • ATMs: Shinhan, Jeju Bank, etc. — overseas cards usually work (issuer fees apply).

💳 Payment

  • ① Visa / Mastercard / JCB / UnionPay: Widely accepted at chains, hotels, Olive Young, convenience stores. Enable overseas use before you fly.
  • ② Alipay / WeChat Pay: Expanding at traditional markets and small shops via Zero Pay — not universal. Keep card + cash backup.
  • ③ Buses: You cannot tap a foreign credit card — use Tmoney, WOWPASS, Trip.PASS, etc. (see Bus section).
  • ④ Tipping: Not expected at restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
  • ⑤ Cash: Dongmun Market, street stalls, some taxis — keep ₩50,000–100,000.

🧾 VAT tax refund (2024–2026)

For non-resident visitors staying under 6 months. Look for Tax Free, Global Tax Free (GTF), or Global Blue stickers. Passport original required.

TypePer receiptNotes
Immediate₩15,000 – ₩999,999
Total trip ≤ ₩5,000,000		VAT deducted at checkout; voucher + passport
Deferred₩15,000+
Per receipt ≤ ₩6,000,000		Pay full price → refund at airport on departure
Duty-free shopsDuty-free allowance USD 800/personSeparate from tax refund — duty-free items not refundable
  1. Show passport at purchase — ask for “Tax Refund”.
  2. Immediate: pay tax-excluded price; keep voucher.
  3. Deferred: keep receipt & voucher → airport customs/refund desk before departure (Jeju Airport 3F near Gate 16, 06:00–22:00).
  4. Export within 3 months; items must be unused & unopened.
  5. Refund payout: KRW, USD, CNY, Alipay, WeChat Pay (varies by operator).

🏢 Airport refund (Jeju CJU)

  • Jeju International Airport 3F — GTF, Global Blue, etc.
  • Keep vouchers even after immediate refund until you leave Korea.

🛃 Customs (arrival)

  • Duty-free allowance USD 800/person (alcohol/tobacco limits for adults only).
  • Check VisitKorea arrival guide for item-specific caps.

Common mistakes

  • Believing old “₩30,000 minimum” — current floor is ₩15,000.
  • Shopping without passport — no refund.
  • Wearing or opening goods before refund — rejected.
  • Trying to refund duty-free purchases — not allowed.