Incheon Airport Tax Refund Kiosks 2026: The Ultimate T1 & T2 Guide

So, you’ve bought half of Olive Young and a suitcase full of K-fashion, but now you're standing at Incheon Airport wondering how to get that 10% tax back without missing your flight? You are not alone. Navigating the refund kiosks at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 can feel like a high-stakes game where the prize is your own money.

Here is exactly how to navigate the refund process, plus the massive 2026 changes—like the new ₩15,000 minimum purchase—that you need to know about right now. Stop leaving free money in Korea!

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Key Takeaways

1Scan at the landside kiosk (public area) first. Check if you get the 'O' (okay) or 'X' (inspection needed) symbol BEFORE dropping your bags.
2The new minimum purchase amount is ₩15,000 (lowered from 30,000). If you spend this much in a single receipt, you are eligible.
3Use the Trip.PASS app for a 'mobile passport' to get instant refunds at convenience stores if you hate paper receipts.

📋 Quick Facts

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Minimum Spend

₩15,000 KRW

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VAT Rate

10% (approx 6-8% back)

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Immediate Limit

₩1,000,000 per item

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Total Trip Limit

₩5,000,000

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Medical Refund

0% (Ended 2026)

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Kiosk Hours

24 Hours

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Valid Window

3 Months

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Process Time

2-4 Minutes

The "Two-Step Dance": How It Actually Works

Look, I know why you are here. You are probably standing in the middle of the Departure Hall at Incheon Airport, clutching a fistful of receipts, staring at a sign that says "Tax Refund," and wondering if it's worth the hassle. Or maybe you're smart and you're planning ahead for your 2026 trip.

Here is the short answer: Yes, you can get your money back, and it is largely automated now. Incheon Airport has specific Tax Refund Kiosks located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

The process is a "two-step dance."

Landside (Before Security): You scan your passport and receipts at a kiosk to verify them.
Airside (After Security): You scan again at a kiosk to actually get your cash.

The most critical number you need to know today is ₩15,000. That is the new minimum purchase amount. If you bought a lipstick for 16,000 won, you qualify. But here is the kicker: if you are here for plastic surgery, stop reading. As of January 1, 2026, the medical tax refund is dead. It’s 0%. For everyone else shopping for clothes, skincare, and souvenirs, read on.

The Background Story: Why Is It Easier Now?

So, how did we get here? For years, South Korea has been in a fierce battle with Japan for tourist dollars. Japan made tax-free shopping incredibly easy, while Korea used to make you jump through hoops with paper slips and customs stamps.

To fight back, the Korean government introduced the "Immediate Tax Refund" system a few years ago, allowing stores like Olive Young to deduct the tax right at the register. It was a game-changer. Then, to boost the post-pandemic recovery, they made a massive move in 2024: they raised the limit for these immediate refunds from 500,000 won to 1 million won per transaction, and the total trip limit to 5 million won. That means you can buy a luxury bag tax-free right in the store without ever visiting an airport kiosk.

However, the big drama for 2026 is the end of the Medical Tourism Tax Refund. Since 2016, the government allowed tourists to claim back 10% VAT on cosmetic surgeries. Well, mission accomplished. They have decided the industry is strong enough to stand on its own, so that tax break expired on December 31, 2025.

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2016

Medical Tax Refund Begins

Korea introduces VAT refunds for cosmetic surgery to boost medical tourism.

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2023

Limit Announcement

Gov't announces plans to double the immediate tax refund cap to encourage spending.

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2024

Cap Increase & Min Drop

Immediate refund limit raised to ₩1M per transaction; Minimum eligibility drops to ₩15,000.

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2025

Trip.PASS Integration

Mobile passport apps gain traction for instant refunds at convenience stores (CU, GS25).

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2026

Medical Refund Sunset

As of Jan 1, 2026, the tax refund for cosmetic/plastic surgery is officially abolished.

Breaking Down Your Options

You basically have three ways to get your money back. Choosing the right one depends on how lazy you are (no judgment, I'm lazy too). For a detailed breakdown, check our guide on Instant vs. Airport Refunds.

Option A: The "Immediate Refund" (The Holy Grail) This is what you want. When you are at Lotte Mart or a Nike store, you give them your passport. They scan it, and the price on the screen drops by roughly 6-7%. You pay the net price. You walk out. Done. You do not need to scan these receipts at the airport. It's finished.

Option B: The "City Refund" (The Risky One) You can go to a booth in Myeongdong or Hongdae, scan your receipts, and get cash right there. But wait. They will take your credit card as a guarantee. If you forget to scan your receipts at the airport customs when you leave, they will charge your card the full amount plus a penalty. Honestly? Unless you are desperate for cash, I'd skip this.

Option C: The Airport Kiosk (The Catch-All) This is for all the receipts where the store said, "Sorry, we don't do immediate refunds." You collect these slips, take them to the airport, and process them there. This is best for smaller boutiques, some luxury brands, or if you forgot your passport at the hotel while shopping.

Feature	Airport Kiosk	Immediate In-Store	City Refund Booth	Trip.PASS
Cost (Fees)	High (Currency fees)	Low (Deducted instantly)	Medium (Card hold)	Low (Digital wallet)
Processing Time	20-40 mins	0 mins	5-10 mins	Instant
When to do it	Departure day	At purchase	During trip	At purchase
Requirements	Passport + Receipts	Physical Passport	Passport + Credit Card	Smartphone + App
Best For	Unclaimed receipts	Everyone	Cash mid-trip	Tech-savvy / No passport
2026 Changes	No change	Limit raised to ₩1M	Strict enforcement	Expanded stores

Pros and Cons of the Airport Kiosk

Pros (Why use it?)

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Pros

✓The 'Catch-All' Safety Net: It accepts receipts from all different refund companies (Global Blue, GTF, Easy Tax Free) in one place.
✓24/7 Availability: Unlike manned counters, kiosks in departure halls generally run 24/7. Perfect for 3 AM flights.
✓Cash in Hand: Great for getting rid of receipts and getting cash for last-minute duty-free snacks.

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Cons

✗The Currency Exchange Scam: If you choose USD or home currency, the exchange rate is terrible. You lose a chunk of your refund.
✗The 'Double Queue' Nightmare: You scan landside, go through security, then line up again airside to get the money.
✗The 'Customs Inspection' Panic: If the kiosk flashes an 'X', you must see an officer. If you already checked your bag, you forfeit the money.

Exact Locations at Incheon T1 & T2

Before you start the step-by-step guide, you need to know where you are going.

Incheon T1 Locations:

Landside (Before Security): 3rd Floor, near Check-in counters J, L, D, or E.
Airside (After Security): Duty-Free Area, near Gate 28. (If the line is long, check near Gate 27).

Incheon T2 Locations:

Landside (Before Security): 3rd Floor, Departure Hall, near Check-in D and E.
Airside (After Security): Near Gate 249 or 253.

Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering the Kiosk

📖 Mastering the Incheon Tax Refund Kiosk (T1 & T2)

📝 4 Steps

Step 1: Sorting and Scanning (Landside)

Before checking in, find the kiosks in the Departure Hall (3rd Floor). Scan your passport, then scan every single tax refund receipt. The machine will categorize them.

💡 Tip: Do this BEFORE you pack your liquids! If inspection is needed, you must show the items.

Step 2: The 'O' or 'X' Moment

Look at the screen. 'O' means you are clear. 'X' or 'Customs Inspection Required' means you must take your luggage and receipts to the Customs Declaration counter next to the kiosks.

💡 Tip: Items over ₩75,000 KRW are much more likely to trigger an inspection.

Step 3: Check-in and Security

Once you have your 'O' or customs stamp, drop your bags at the airline counter. Proceed through security and immigration. You do not get money until you are Airside.

💡 Tip: High-value goods (Rolex, Chanel) carried onto the plane are inspected AFTER security.

Step 4: Get Paid (Airside)

Walk to the refund zone (Gate 28 in T1, Gate 249/253 in T2). Scan your passport again. The machine will dispense cash or you take the slip to the counter.

💡 Tip: Always take the refund in Korean Won (KRW). The conversion rate to USD/EUR is atrocious.

🎓Expert Advice

Min-ji Park

Personal Shopper & Stylist, 8 years experience

Everyone obsesses over the airport kiosks, but the real pro move is the 'Immediate Refund' in the city. But here is the secret: If you use the 'City Refund' booths in Myeongdong to get cash *before* the airport, you MUST still scan your receipts at the airport customs or kiosk. If you forget to scan upon departure, they will charge your credit card the full tax amount plus a penalty. I've seen tourists cry over this. Don't skip the scan just because you already have the cash!

Based on first-hand experience|E-E-A-T verified content

Critical Warnings and Tips

Group Your Receipts

If you traveled with friends but you are the organized one, you can't scan their receipts with your passport. The kiosk links the refund to the passport scanned. Don't mix up your pile with your friend's pile, or the kiosk will error out.

The Medical Tourism Trap

As mentioned, the tax refund for cosmetic surgeries (plastic surgery, dermatology) is abolished as of 2026. Do not let a clinic tell you "maybe you can get it." If you paid for surgery in 2026, there is no refund.

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No Korean Phone/ARC? Here's What To Do

This is critical. Many digital refund systems ask for a Korean number. You do not need one.

Use the Trip.PASS App: It validates your identity via your passport NFC chip, creating a mobile verification.
Use the Kiosk: The physical kiosks at Incheon do NOT require a Korean phone number. They only require your physical passport.
Alipay/WeChat: If you use these apps, the kiosks can refund directly to your digital wallet via a QR code scan, bypassing the need for a phone number verification text.

FAQ

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

No. Tax refunds are strictly for goods that are *leaving* the country. Consumables like restaurant meals are not eligible. However, sealed food (like gim/seaweed) bought at a supermarket is eligible if it stays sealed.

If you are running late, use the 'Mailbox' service. Fill out the refund form with your credit card details and drop it in the box near the customs desk. It takes 1-2 months, but it's better than missing your flight.

For the kiosk, usually no, unless it flags you for inspection. However, legally, you *must* have the items with you. If customs asks to see a bag you already checked in, they will deny the refund.

No! If the receipt says 'Immediate Refund Applied' and you paid the lower price, you are done. Do not scan it at the airport.

Yes. The kiosks allow you to insert your Visa/Mastercard to receive the refund. It usually takes 3-5 weeks to appear on your statement.

Have more questions?Contact us →

Conclusion

So, here is your game plan for your trip to Korea. First, download Trip.PASS before you fly to handle easy refunds. Second, always carry your passport when shopping to snag those "Immediate Refunds" in-store—this saves you 90% of the airport hassle. Third, pack smart by keeping your tax-refund items at the top of your suitcase just in case customs wants a peek.

Korea is a shopper's paradise, and the tax refund is basically a 6-8% discount on your entire trip. Whether you are buying Korean glasses in 30 minutes or stocking up on skincare, don't be lazy—get your money back! You've earned it. Safe travels and happy shopping!

Sources

Visit Korea (Official) - Official guide on refund requirements and limits.
Incheon Airport Corp - Kiosk locations and procedural steps.
Korea Biomedical Review - Confirmation of 2026 medical tax refund expiration.
Korea Herald - News on the increased refund limits to 5 million won.
Trip.PASS Official - Details on mobile passport refunds.