South Korea

South Korea’s official immigration guide places entry/departure formalities for foreign yachts at designated marinas and involves Immigration, Customs, quarantine and maritime authorities. The guide lists several marinas but dates from 2022. Before departure, confirm current opening status, electronic reporting and forms with the intended port.

South Korea’s Immigration Service has published a list of designated marinas able to process border formalities for foreign yachts, including Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Tongyeong, Yeosu, Mokpo, Pohang, Sokcho, Jeju and Busan. The list is dated; confirm current availability and contact details with Immigration, Customs and the marina before departure.

The Korean immigration ministry’s yacht guide says vessel and passenger information must be submitted under the designated process, and that prior approval from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is required to enter at certain non-open ports. The guide previously specified applying at least five days in advance and a general port-arrival reporting time. As the document is from 2022 and electronic procedures may have changed, reconfirm deadlines and submission channels with the arrival port.

The Korean immigration ministry’s yacht guide requires an arrival report and crew/passenger list and personal travel documents; a departure report and people list are also required when leaving. The guide mentions KL-NET/MCIQ reporting, but systems may have changed. Confirm the current electronic channel and visa requirements with the designated yacht marina.

The Korean immigration ministry’s yacht guide requires an arrival report and, as applicable, declarations of vessel stores, crew/passengers, personal effects and cargo. Departure requires a yacht departure report and cargo list. The document mentions electronic systems including UNIPASS, KT NET and KL-NET; follow the designated port’s instructions for current systems and forms.

South Korea’s official yacht guide requires health/quarantine information on arrival and cooperation with quarantine inspections. Pandemic-specific forms in the guide are outdated and should not be reused. Before sailing, confirm current health declarations and inspection requirements with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency or the designated port quarantine authority.

Korean Customs lists firearms, swords, gunpowder, explosives, narcotics and some endangered animals/plants and products as restricted. These items may require permits or Customs review even if below a traveller’s duty-free allowance. General Customs cargo guidance does not specifically explain yacht stores or how undeclared weapons kept aboard are handled. Before arrival, the master should declare such items to Korean Customs and the relevant authority and confirm permits, sealing and departure procedures.

Foreign yachts should use a designated marina/port that can conduct entry border checks and follow Immigration, Customs and quarantine requirements. Vessels at general commercial ports must also comply with current Korean vessel arrival/departure reporting laws. Older designated-marina contact details may no longer be valid; confirm the current process with each port before arrival.

No uniform national clearance or departure fee schedule for visiting yachts in South Korea was found. Ports and marinas may charge berthing or service fees. Busan’s official yacht arena instructions for foreign yachts require outstanding berthing fees to be paid before departure, after which the marina confirms and issues departure clearance, but the page gives no amounts. General vessel port dues published by the Busan Port Authority do not establish their applicability to or exemption for visiting private yachts. Ask the intended marina, Customs and relevant CIQ agencies for current itemized fees before arrival.