Duty-free goods worth about 307.6 billion won ($229 million) went uncollected at pickup counters in South Korean airports and ports from 2022 through September 2026, according to Korea Customs Service data obtained by Rep. Hwang Hee of the Democratic Party of Korea.
The customs agency recorded 1.13 million cases over the period. Incheon Airport accounted for 82.8 percent of the cases and 83.7 percent of the total value.
Travelers who buy goods online or at downtown duty-free shops can collect them at designated counters before departure. Purchases can go uncollected when travelers change their plans or decide they no longer want the goods.
Under customs rules, pickup operators must log goods as uncollected if they have yet to be handed over five days after arriving at the counter. The goods are then sealed and handed back to the retailer at a location designated by customs. Retailers can resell goods returned to them.
The number of cases rose each year, from 51,000 in 2022 to 329,000 in 2025. The value rose from 20.1 billion won in 2022 to 83.4 billion won in 2024, then edged down to 83 billion won in 2025.
In the first nine months of 2026, customs recorded 251,000 cases involving goods worth 65.4 billion won.
“The increasing amount of uncollected duty-free goods is aggravating delays in airport logistics and adding to the administrative burden,” Hwang said. “The Korea Customs Service and duty-free retailers should review their goods handover and management systems to increase collection rates and reduce unnecessary costs and the waste of social resources.”
forestjs@heraldcorp.com
