[*] Buddhist holidays are based on the lunar calendar and change annually.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into South Korea (persons aged 19 and over): 200 cigarettes; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages (max. 1L and a value of US$400); 60 ml perfume and eau de toilette; Gifts up to a value of US$600 / 100,000 won (food: max. 5 kg per type of goods; up to 40 kg total weight). All valuables must be declared upon entry. Travelers should refrain from importing any food.
Import Restrictions
Weapons, narcotics, endangered species and products made from them. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Imports
Milk, meat and sausage products from Europe, fruit, vegetables, nuts, rice, hay, plant seeds, subversive or pornographic printed matter, counterfeit money, explosives, books, films, audio or video recordings and other products that come from communist countries or endanger South Korean security. Additional information is available from South Korea Customs.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Kalcheggweg 38, PO Box 301
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (0)31 356 24 44.
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ch-de/index.do
https://overseas.mofa.go. kr/ch-de/index.do
Mon-Fri 09.00-12.30 and 14.00-17.00.
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Honorary consulates in Graz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck, Linz and Salzburg.
English is widely spoken in business and government circles. Appointments should be made in advance, business cards are common. They should be given and received with the right hand. The best time for business trips is from February to June (no rainy season).
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-18.00.
Business contacts
Kotra-Frankfurt Europa HQ (Korean Trade Center) Messeturm, Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 49, 60308 Frankfurt/M., Germany Tel. +49(0)69 24 29 92. Website: kotra-frankfurt.de Korea Trade Center (KOTRA) (06792) 13, Heolleung-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea Tel. 82 (0)16 00 71 19. Website: www.kotra.or.kr/biz Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry 39, Sejongdaero, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04513, South Korea Tel. +82 (0)2 60 50 35 42. Website: english.korcham.net
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 0082. There are two different types of payphones, which typically make both local and long-distance calls: payphones and cardphones. Public phone booths have become rare in the mobile phone age. They are usually located near bus stops, subway stations and train stations. Phone cards are available from the 24-hour convenience stores and kisoken near the phone booths. Inexpensive phone calls can be made from evening to morning. A cheap alternative to public telephones is Skype, for example in Internet cafes. Emergency numbers are: police 112, fire brigade and rescue service 119 and an emergency interpreter can be requested on 1330.
Mobile phone
3G (2100), 4G (LTE and 900/1800/2100 Mhz) and 5G. Mobile devices must support at least the 3G network standard for use in South Korea, 2G cannot be used. Network operators include SK Telecom, KT and LG U+. International roaming agreements exist. Cell phones can be rented or purchased at major airports, downtown Seoul near tourist attractions. The rental service must be ordered in advance. Online reservations are possible at german.visitkorea.or.kr/ger/index.kto. Roaming centers such as SK Telecom Roaming offer roaming services at major international airports and rent out WiFi Eggs and smartphones. However, it may be worth purchasing a Korea SIM or a tourist SIM card from EG SIM CARD,
Internet
There are Internet cafes (so-called PC-Bangs, with cheap rates and non-stop opening hours) in many places across the country. In Korea, Internet access is also available in public places such as airports, train stations, and bus terminals.
Post office
Postal items to Europe take about 10 days to arrive. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00, Sat 09.00-13.00. Mailboxes are becoming increasingly rare. Hotel receptions also accept mail.
