Are pocket knives and autos legal in S. Korea?

[colubrid]

traveling to Bali Indonesia and have to fly through Incheon Airport S. Korea. Problem is the flight is not a connection flight and will require entry and reentry at the airport. I am traveling with a bunch of folders and want to know what the knife laws are in S. Korea?

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I don't know about Korea, but I've read where if your plane lands in Hong Kong, the authorities search all checked bags and if they find knives, you get in trouble. Happened to several folks who boarded planes in Manila with knives in their checked luggage, the plane hopped over the SCS to HK. Suddenly, the travelers are being hit with fines and pokey time.

Kinda like what's happened a few time in NY with travelers have guns in checked bags that land at a NY airport. The possession of the guns in question were legal where they took off and where they were going, but not in NY.

 

[colubrid]

I don't know about Korea, but I've read where if your plane lands in Hong Kong, the authorities search all checked bags and if they find knives, you get in trouble. Happened to several folks who boarded planes in Manila with knives in their checked luggage, the plane hopped over the SCS to HK. Suddenly, the travelers are being hit with fines and pokey time.

Kinda like what's happened a few time in NY with travelers have guns in checked bags that land at a NY airport. The possession of the guns in question were legal where they took off and where they were going, but not in NY.

Well that sucks. Especially for people traveling through New York.

So does anyone know if knives are illegal in South Korea?

Even though I am just travelling through. I would need to know.

 

[Enkrig]

DISCLAIMER: Not an attorney and this is not legal advice; only my interpretation of certain legal matters. Read on at your own risk...

Unless someone here can speak with regard to the specifics of knife law in South Korea, I wouldn't risk it unless you know that your bags can be checked-in to the destination *and that they don't recheck it*.

Somewhat of an aside, but my understanding is that the issue with guns in bags in NY airports (and those in NJ, and probably any state where the traveler does not have a carry permit) are not the "guns in bags" per se, but the fact that the travelers "took possession" of the bags with the guns while in those states. I forget the name, but I believe there is federal law that protects gun-owners while transporting guns between two states and passing through others, as long as it is legal for the owner to have it in the starting and ending state. The trick is the meaning of "possession". So, as I understand it, transporting guns unloaded and in the locked trunk of the car from residences in state A to state B is legal even if the owner has to pass through state C where it is not for whatever reason. Thus, as long as the bags are checked in and in the responsibility of the airline, there shouldn't be an issue. The one case I know about was because the traveler missed the flight (or some other complication) in NJ and took possession of the bag to go spend the night in the hotel, subsequently getting arrested when trying to check in the gun again...

Generally speaking I would expect a similar situation with regards to knives. As long as the bag is checked in all the way to destination, and starting and ending locations are ok with it, intermediate points shouldn't be an issue. (Plan accordingly in case there are issues with transfers.) Of course, internationally is always a wildcard because certain places check cases anyway...

 

[killgar]

Unless a person is absolutely certain about the laws of the country they are traveling to, there are things they should never bring with them. The obvious ones are guns and narcotics (including pot). The less obvious ones are pornography, alcohol, produce, and knives. And if you have porn stored in your phone or computer, make sure your device is locked/password protected until you are safely through the airport. Although in some countries, having porn accessible anywhere can be dangerous if the authorities are inclined to search you and check your device, particularly if you're in a county that is not so friendly to westerners.

Other countries can have very different and very draconian laws (and punishment) than the US. Better to err on the side of caution, and avoid the nightmare of a foriegn criminal justice system and prison.

Also, never assume that you are safe from having your luggage searched. If security or customs agents in a foreign country want to search you and your baggage, they will. The restrictive laws against bringing certain things into the country/possession are just that, bringing them in/possession, not just having them in checked or unchecked luggage.

Unless I were absolutely certain about a countries knife laws, I wouldn't bring any with me. If you get there and find out knives are legal, buy one there.

 

[Enkrig]

Completely agree with killgar on this.
I would add that even what is considered to be a drug can be broader in another country. For example, in southwestern Europe bay leaves are commonly used in cuisine and the shrubs that grow them can sometimes even be found on the side of the road. However, in the UK that's considered a drug. The point is always look for gotchas in the law of any country that you'll be passing through and, when in doubt, err on the side of caution.

 

[colubrid]

I still need to know if knives are allowed in in S.Korea? I am moving to Indonesia permantly and because of covid there is only one path and that is through S. Korea. I wanted to take over 75 knives with me (they are legal in Indonesia). Problem is changing planes requires exit and re-entry.

 

[Airborne 1]

Ship them through a private carrier.

 

[colubrid]

Ship them through a private carrier.

I was thinking about that. But 75 knives valued at over 25K. I would prefer to keep them in baggage since it is such a large number. I just need to know the knife laws in S. Korea. I will see if I can contact someone in the S. Korea consulate to give me an answer

 

[colubrid]

The crazy thing is most of my knives are slip joints and and no tacticool flippers. Mostly slipjoints, Sebenzas, Emersons a few spydercos and a few autos. I can alwsy leave the questionable autos behind.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Unless you get an unequivocal "ok" from a Korean consular official I would suggest you follow Airborne1's advice and just ship them to yourself through FedEx or similar. Not worth the risk of potentially losing your collection or freedom. Good luck with the move.

 

[Airborne 1]

I was thinking about that. But 75 knives valued at over 25K. I would prefer to keep them in baggage since it is such a large number. I just need to know the knife laws in S. Korea. I will see if I can contact someone in the S. Korea consulate to give me an answer

All the more reason to use a private carrier. The Airlines lose checked baggage all the time , good luck collecting on that lost baggage. I spent years in S. Korea ,its Not them I would worry about. If I where you I would talk to more folks ,than the consulate. A Private carrier takes away all that worry, but You do what you think is right.

 

[colubrid]

Okay I am going to look into shipping then. If it takes away the worry of what potential could happen it is the wiser thing to do.

My worry is the package not being insured to Indonesia.But I will do my research on that. Thanks!

 

[zzyzzogeton]

You better check with the Indonesia government as well. Some items, like autos, MAY be illegal to even possess there.

 

[Tjstampa]

On international flights if luggage is lost you are not compensated by value but by an amount per pound of luggage lost.

 

[deozed]

A little late to the thread, but I thought I’d answer for future questions and reference. All knives are legal for import and domestic purchase in South Korea with some restrictions. Since 2011, knife blades beyond certain lengths are restricted and require a registration license per individual knife.

A. Fixed blade length: 15cm or longer requires registration license
B. Folding blade length: 6cm or longer requires registration license
C. Automatic blade length: 5.5cm or longer requires registration license

Anything under the above blade lengths should have no problem clearing customs. Anything above will require registration with the local police authority of the city / district you live in (if residing in South Korea) before import or domestic purchase. If passing through the Incheon airport, I believe the local authority would be the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency. Also, if residing in Korea, international purchases through the internet or overseas dealers are prohibited from import unless you’re a domestically licensed dealer in Korea.

As previously mentioned, each individual knife with a restricted blade length will require its own registration license, as they include specific information for each knife (manufacturer and country of origin, model name and number, blade length, purpose of use, etc.).

In Korean the license is called 도검 소지허가증. I’ll link a couple of resources, but they’re all in Korean, unfortunately. Google translate can give you some idea of what you’re dealing with.

Link 1
Link 2

 

[colubrid]

Thank you for that information. That was very helpful! Though I did not see the specific lengths on the links you sent as attachments. But I am sure you you gave me the correct information. I just did not see it on either of the links.

I am surprised to discover that a folding blade length must be under 2.3” (only 6 cm) . Not even a swiss army knife would pass ? I called Korean airlines and they said one knife is okay in checked baggage but taking 75+ plus knives is not allowed. I don’t know if that was just their opinion, law or airline policy? So if one has one knife uner 2.3” its okay but having several is not? It doesn’t really matter because all my knives are over 6 cm.


I am actually just travelling through S. Korea Incheon airport to connect to a flight in Bali, Indonesia. But that requires exiting customs from Terminal 1 to terminal 2. I in S. Korea Incheon aiport and I am moving to Bali permanently so that is why I am taking my knives. I don’t feel comfortable shipping $20K in knives trough USPS? Any oter suggestions for shipping???

I wonder if I got flight that was connecting from the same terminal and the bags never picked up there still would be a violation of the 6cm law?

 

[Don Tripp]

good info here

 

[deozed]

If it’s valued at 20k, I’d itemize and document the collection, insure it, and ship it insured shipping with the highest priced shipping options available. 1-2 day shipping options are far less likely to be lost vs the cheaper 15-30 day shipping options. And if they are lost, that’s what insurance is for. Trying to save a couple hundred bucks on insurance and shipping costs vs the absolute certainty of losing a $20k collection? This is a no-brainer.

 

[colubrid]

A little late to the thread, but I thought I’d answer for future questions and reference. All knives are legal for import and domestic purchase in South Korea with some restrictions. Since 2011, knife blades beyond certain lengths are restricted and require a registration license per individual knife.

A. Fixed blade length: 15cm or longer requires registration license
B. Folding blade length: 6cm or longer requires registration license
C. Automatic blade length: 5.5cm or longer requires registration license

Anything under the above blade lengths should have no problem clearing customs. Anything above will require registration with the local police authority of the city / district you live in (if residing in South Korea) before import or domestic purchase. If passing through the Incheon airport, I believe the local authority would be the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency. Also, if residing in Korea, international purchases through the internet or overseas dealers are prohibited from import unless you’re a domestically licensed dealer in Korea.

As previously mentioned, each individual knife with a restricted blade length will require its own registration license, as they include specific information for each knife (manufacturer and country of origin, model name and number, blade length, purpose of use, etc.).

In Korean the license is called 도검 소지허가증. I’ll link a couple of resources, but they’re all in Korean, unfortunately. Google translate can give you some idea of what you’re dealing with.

Link 1
Link

https://namu.wiki/w/도검 소지 허가증

Okay it turns out that I will not have to leave terminal in iuncheon airport in south Korea. I am leaving the same terminal as arriving in. But I will need to pick up my bags and stay 23 hours inside the airport before making my connecting flight. So is it still illegal to have the 75 folding knivs over 6cm if they were legal from my origination city and are legal in the destination city (Denpassar Bali) . Or can Korean airport police still arrest me and confiscate my knives even though I was just waiting for a connecting flight?