South Korean beauty giant AmorePacific began offering immediate tax refunds to foreign nationals at select Aritaum, Innisfree and Etude stores in Seoul starting Thursday.

The service was launched in an aim to better serve Chinese consumers scheduled to visit Seoul during the Lunar New Year holidays, said AmorePacific.

The service is available at five Aritaum and six Innisfree stores in Myeong-dong and Gangnam; the Laneige flagship store in Myeong-dong; and six Etude stores in Sinchon, Jamsil, Dongdaemun and Incheon International Airport.


Foreign customers who purchase goods priced between 30,000 won and 200,000 won ($25-$165) can make on-site tax-free purchases. The purchase volume is limited to 1 million won per person.

The service is scheduled to be expanded across more stores within this year, including at outlets in major shopping malls and supermarkets within this month.

AmorePacific also runs an exclusive tax-refund service desk for foreigners at its Gangnam flagship store and main Myeong-dong store.

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)