Posted by Have you gone on a trip abroad yet or are you planning to soon? The number of airport visitors which dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic is back on the rise, and gaining more momentum! The Incheon International Airport Corporation said the average daily number of passengers is expected to hit 178,000 in the second half of this year. That would mean the industry has made a recovery of 85.9% when compared to the average daily number of passengers during the peak summer season of 2019 before COVID-19 which was at 207,000 visitors. ๐คฉ
Imagine returning home from a pleasant trip, youโre at baggage claim, and notice a yellow lock on your suitcase.๐ค What does this yellow lock mean and who put it on your bag? We have the answers on todayโs Incheon Airport Aviation Fun Facts. Having this bit of knowledge can prepare you for such a possible scenario in real life! ๐ค
What is the yellow lock?
When we go on a trip, we want to buy souvenirs to help us remember our experience or buy unique gifts that are hard to find in Korea. Did you know the travel tax exemption limit was increased from $600 to $800? Despite this, many travelers still do not report their purchases carefully and many are said to exceed the tax exemption limit.๐
A yellow lock is temporarily attached to your luggage by customs if you are suspected to have exceeded the tax exemption limit or if you have a particularly expensive luxury item to signal that they require further inspection. The location of the lock is tracked in real time ๐ and an alarm will sound if attempts to remove it are made. So if you find locks on your luggage, it’s important not to panic and head straight to customs to see which items are under possible quarantine.
There are also locks in different colors depending on the items in question. The green or orange lock is for when the suitcase is suspected of carrying vegetables, fruits, meat, or soil. The red lock is for when the suitcase is suspected of carrying dangerous items that can bring harm to others.
Self-report and receive tax exemption!
If you get the yellow lock removed and the suspected item has been confirmed to require customs declaration, you will be required to pay the tax. Note that 30% of the tariff will be reduced (up to 150,000 won ๐) if you voluntarily report items that exceed the duty-free limit.
These measures are to encourage diligent and honest customs declarations, so donโt be too alarmed if you see a lock on your suitcase due to items that you may have missed. Remember, if you attempt to avoid paying taxes on overseas purchases and get caught, you will need to pay an additional 40% of your original tax amount!
Itโs overwhelming and exciting to prepare for and actually enjoy your long-awaited trip. Donโt neglect the wrap-up! Itโs important to wrap up our trips thoroughly to ensure theyโre happy and positive memories. ๐ฟ Did you enjoy todayโs Aviation Fun Facts? Check in again to learn more with Incheon Airportโ๏ธ!ย