Seoul Enables Instant Tax Refunds at Convenience Stores – Get Your Refund for Purchases Over 30,000 KRW

▲ South Korea introduces instant store tax refunds — no more lugging receipts to the airport. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Lifestyle Center / Comprehensive Report

Starting today, GS25’s DDP store in the Dongdaemun chain of convenience stores in South Korea has begun offering “instant tax refunds,” making it the country’s first convenience store where travelers can get their refunds on the spot. Foreign visitors who spend more than 30,000 KRW can have their passports scanned and immediately pay the tax-free price at checkout, which is very convenient for travelers.

The Korea Tourism Organization stated,The on-site tax refund system was launched on January 1st of this year, and currently only about 200 merchants are using the new system. GS25 has shown strong interest from the beginning, and it is expected that the instant tax refund system will be available at thousands of its branches nationwide next year.Previously, efforts were also made to establish instant refund services at traditional markets and set up Guest Houses. It is planned to trial these at the Nambu Market in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province starting in the first half of 2017, while the Guest House program is expected to begin trials this year.

▲ South Korea’s first convenience store with instant tax refund service. (Photo / Screenshot from the Korea Tourism Organization)
GS25 is the only domestically established brand among South Korea’s top three convenience store chains. Compared to foreign brands like 7-Eleven and CU (formerly FamilyMart), Korean consumers show stronger support for their homegrown GS25.Currently, to promote tourism, the South Korean government is making significant efforts in the area of tax refunds. From department stores, where refunds used to only be processed at dedicated counters, to traditional markets, convenience stores, and cosmetics shops, instant tax refunds have been gradually implemented. Travelers can now pay the net price (after deducting 10% VAT) on the spot for purchases between 30,000 KRW and 200,000 KRW, with a maximum refund amount of 1 million KRW.