What to Bring to Korea

Almost everything you need is available in Korea. And what isn’t here today may be found on the shelves in the near future. Things change rapidly in this country. However, there are some items you might want to make sure you have with you.

Bring along some your favourites of everything you can’t do without or know you will miss - even if they are available here, you might not find them right away and this way you know you’ll have a supply, at least for a while. Some hard to find or particularly expensive items:

1. Sheets: The fitted sheets in Korea may not fit your bed. Moreover, sheet sets (fitted and flat) are very expensive here. Best to bring enough of your own to last until your next visit home, especially if you want some with a high thread count.
2. Mattresses are available here, but sizes can vary a little depending on where you’re coming from. Twin mattresses are generally ‘twin long’ so make sure you’re sheets are the same. Korean mattresses are also constructed a little differently from American ones and are quite firm, not to say hard. If you prefer a soft mattress, best to bring your own.
3. Books: You can find books (new and used) in Seoul and they can be ordered over the Internet. However, the costs may be higher than you’re used to, especially if you’re from the U.S. Children’s books are sometimes a little more difficult to find, as are children’s games, so bring along plenty of those.
4. Clothing for Children: Although your child’s size may be available in Korea, you may want to stock up on what will be needed before your next visit home, just in case you can’t find the right size. Note also that Asian and Western frame structures are not always the same, so Korean sizes may not fit your child well. Make sure, also, to bring enough for all four seasons ranging from very hot and muggy to very dry and cold with snow.
5. Clothing for Adults: Men, unless very tall, will have less trouble finding something that fits (or having something tailor made) than women. If you don’t have an Asian physique, best to bring what you’ll need, especially lingerie. If you wear ‘women’s’ and/or tall sizes, you may find some clothing pants, some jeans, tops, especially in Itaewon, but the style, fabric and size choices are very limited. Bring an adequate supply of pantyhose in your size and colours. If you sew, bring your sewing machine but no need to worry about fabrics, etc. You will surely find what you need at the local fabric markets.
6. Shoes: Koreans generally have small, narrow feet. Although you can have shoes made-to-measure for average Western-size feet, that may not be possible if your shoe-size is outside the norm. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you have a good supply of shoes and boots with you. Import brands are available, but in very limited sizes. Sports shoes, ski boots, etc. may be less expensive and fit better if purchased in your home country.
7. Cosmetics and toiletries: bring your favourites. Although there is an excellent selection of imported and local cosmetics brands, your preferred shades may not be available. If you have any allergies or sensitive skin, make sure you have an adequate supply of your special products. Some Western brands of toothpaste are available, as are some deodorants, etc., but usually at much higher prices than you might expect, so again, best to bring a supply of your favourites. The same applies for hair products. Some hair salons stock Western hair dye products, but if you prefer to do your own, it's best stock up before leaving home. If you want toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride, you may want to bring your own. Some things that are available over the counter back home may require a prescription in Korea.
8. Medicines: If possible, bring a 6-month supply of prescriptions although most everything is available here. Non-prescription drugs and first aid supplies are also available, although your favourite brands may not be. Tampons are increasingly available but with limited options and a high price tag.
9. Birth control: available in Korea, but again may not be what you’re used to. Best to bring a supply of birth control pills, condoms, etc
10. Multivitamins: bring your own as well as herbal supplements and any homeopathic products.
11. Foods: if you have any special dietary needs, bring your own supply. The following may not be available or may be hard to find: rare spices and condiments; specialty rice, gravy and custard powder, artificial sweeteners, vegetarian food mixes and broth, instant baby cereals, diet/low carbohydrate products.
    Speciality products from your home country, unless you’re from the United States, should be brought with you. (Check with your moving company for more details). Some European, American and Australian as well as a few, very few, South American products can be found in some supermarkets some of the time. Some American products that are available on the U.S. military installations in Korea can also be found in ‘import’ (black market) stores. New products from all over the world are popping up on supermarket shelves all the time, so if you have a relocation company, ask if your favourites are available here now.
    Some familiar vegetables found here are carrots, lettuce, tomatoes (regular and cherry), courgette/zucchini, eggplant/aubergine, onion, potatoes, some varieties of squash. Available but expensive (sometimes very very expensive) broccoli, cauliflower, green beens, radishes, fennel. If you're going to have space you may want to bring seeds for some of your favourites that are not hard to grow. Same with fresh herbs. We can find some here, but not always very fresh, and only a limited number of kinds.
12. Sports equipment: Skiers and snowboarders should bring their own boots. Golf equipment is very expensive, as are racquetball and tennis equipment. Bicycles are available, although somewhat costly. Best to bring replacement parts. Children’s bikes should come with your shipment.
13. Toys: Bring educational toys, including videos and DVD’s. Books are available, but the supply is limited and probably more expensive than in your home country.
14. Appliances and Electronics: If yours are not compatible with 220 volt wiring, you will need transformers. These are readily available and not expensive. Some housing for expats include both 110 and 220-volt wiring. Most small appliances and electronics cam be purchased here, including imported ones (instructions are almost always in Korean only, although you can usually get them in English via the Internet).
15. Air quality: you will need humidifiers in winter and de-humidifiers in summers. Many people use air purifiers if yours is not a domestic brand, be sure to bring an adequate supply of filters.
16. Miscellaneous items:
    -shower curtains can be found in some stores, but can be
    quite expensive and colour/style choices are limited.
    -vegetable peelers, potato mashers and other culturally
    specific kitchen utensils are very difficult to find.
    -archival photo albums are impossible to find
    according to an EAS contributor
    -disposable contact lenses are available here,
    but cost $10.00 more a box than they do in a contributor’s home country.
    -clothes dryers are not readily available here. You can find
    dual washers/dryers but they are extremely expensive to buy
    and to run, and frankly don’t dry all that well. Many expats who
    have them have complained that it makes doing laundry for
    a couple an all-day affair. If you can, bring your own. You’ll need
    a heavy-duty transformer but these are easily
    found and are not excessively expensive.
    -Exercise equipment is available here but often very expensive.
    -COSTCO membership cards from other countries are accepted
    in local COSCO stores, so bring yours with you.
    -Passport-sized Photos will be needed for visas, your
    residency card (also family members), your company or school ID,
    club membership, etc. Such photos are easy to get here but having
    ten or so with you will save you some time and energy during the first hectic weeks.
17. For English Teachers/Workers
    Money: if you’re coming as an English teacher or factory worker, etc. make sure to bring enough cash with you to cover your needs for at least 6-8 weeks at least the equivalent of W700,000 or W1 million (U$700 to U$1,000). Your employer may not pay you as early as previously indicated and even if you are paid in full at the end of four weeks (if you started at the first of the month) you may need to purchase supplies (cooking utensils, etc.) for your apartment, over and above food etc. It’s also a good idea to have access to back-up funds (credit card or access to an ATM in your home country) in case the job doesn’t work out and you have to leave in a hurry. NB: if you’re employer has provided you with housing, you will loose it the moment you loose/quit your job.
    Towels are available in Korea, but the housing your employer provides may not be equipped with any or they may be the size of a tea/dish towel. Bring at least one with you.
    Diploma(s) and Transcripts: you should bring certified copies your diploma(s) and transcript(s) with you whether you are coming to Korea in search of a job or even if you already have one, since you may decide to change companies while you’re here.

NOTE: This list is intended as a guide only. Please feel free to visit our forum if you have any suggestions to make or items to add.

No need to bring:

1. Batteries: they are plentiful here.
2. Cell phones: yours is unlikely to work here, so best to get one after you arrive. However, it may work in other countries while the Korean-bought one won’t, so you may want to have it with you anyway.
3. DVD player: if yours doesn’t have a ‘region-free’ feature it may only be able to play DVD’s you’ve purchased from home. However, if you do want to bring yours, it is relatively easy and inexpensive (W20,000/W30,000) to update your machine at certain electronics stores/markets.
4. Illegal drugs are not tolerated in Korea even for personal use. Should you or a family member be caught by Korean police (neighbours/colleagues will turn you in) your Embassy is unlikely to be willing to help you. Generally, only family members are allowed to visit prison inmates. Korea operates on a guilty when detained principle and you are likely to be in prison from the moment you are ‘interrogated’.

Television service arrangements:
If you want to continue to enjoy your local television programs, you'll want to arrange for that before you leave home. For more details see http://www.korea4expats.com/article-television-radio.html


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