Jeju gets duty-free go-ahead

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The Korean Finance Ministry announced last week the plan to allow duty-free shopping for Korean domestic visitors on Jeju (formerly Cheju) island will go into effect in December

Stores accessible by Koreans will be located in Jeju International airport and the ferry terminal, both in Jeju city on the northern tip of the island. A similar store in the southern district of Jungmun, in the city of Seogwipo will be opened next year.

The regulations, to be introduced under the law making Jeju Island an international free city announced last year and passed in April (TRW 24/07/01), allow any Korean traveller from the island back to the mainland to buy up to $300 in duty-free merchandise. There is also an annual ceiling of $1,200. The penalty for exceeding the limit, or for buying goods for resale, will be a one-year ban on shopping at any duty-free store.

Domestic Korean shoppers will receive coupons at the shops and exchange the coupons for products just before the departure point. The rules on allowances also specify a limit of one bottle of liquor worth up to $100 and 200 cigarettes plus gifts and other goods. Although the regulations will go into effect on September 1, the duty-free shops are not expected to be operational until December when the Jeju government authorities will complete the shops and related computer systems.

With its beautiful beaches and natural resources the southern volcanic island is already one of the most popular destinations in Korea. Over 4.2m tourists visited Jeju Island in 2001, 3.9m of whom were domestic tourists.