The electro-magnetic field caused by the inspection equipment (metal detectors and hand held metal detectors) at Incheon International Airport is minimal and is not harmful to people.
 
However, pregnant women who are uncomfortable with it or those who do not want to pass the metal detector because of cardiac pacemakers can request inspection agents to conduct physical searches instead of passing through the metal detector.

1. Why deploying AIT(Advanced Imaging Technology) in the airports?
To ensure air travelers remain safe and secure from new threats, Dec. 25, 2010 Northwest Flight 253 Incident and prepare for the G20 Seoul Summit in 2010.
 
2. What kind of AIT does Incheon International Airport use?
Incheon International Airport uses 'Backscatter X-Ray' technology which is safe, convenient for air travelers and is effective in preventing terrorism.
The AIT will be able to accurately detect nonmetallic substances such as ceramics, weapons, and powder/liquid explosives without touching an individual’s body. Current metal detectors are not sensitive to such devices.
 
3. How does the AIT screening work?
Backscatter X-Ray technology presents the outline image of the passenger's body using X-Ray. The AIT can detect effectively hidden or dangerous items. This screening images are displayed in black, applied to blur the image and sent to AIT's image analytical laboratories, then same gender screeners check (and only the same gender screeners check AIT image). If there are something suspicious items to be screened, screener and also the passenger involved can see what's unconfirmed (both screener and passenger can check what's unconfirmed). All these steps are anonymous, therefore it's difficult to know passenger's identification. The AIT doesn’t have functions to save, print out and transfer body images of passengers.
 
4. Incheon International Airport’s AIT is safe?
Yes, Incheon International Airport’s AIT is the same model with the TSA, which was evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL).
 
* According to NCRP(National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements) an effective dose of AIT per scan would allow 2,500 scans of an Individual annually
 
5. What sort of privacy policy dose Incheon International Airport have?
Incheon International Airport has implemented strict privacy safeguards using advanced imaging technology to protect passenger's privacy and image leak, etc.
 
* AIT Image screeners are conducted on a same gender basis.
a. You can choose either AIT scan or Pat-down.
b. AIT can not save, print out and transfer body images of passengers.
c. There is a privacy algorithm applied to blur the image.
d. Security personnel view the image and does not see the passenger, and a guidance staff assisting the passenger can not view the image.
e. Security personnel in charge of the AIT are prohibited bringing cameras, cell phones and other devices with them in AIT image analytical laboratories. If security personnel commit illegal acts, there need to take legal action strongly..
f. CCTV equipment is installed in the image analytical laboratories to prevent wrongdoing.
 
6. What's the process to go through the AIT?
a. You will be asked to get either AIT or physical search. (as known pat-down)
b. Take everything out of your pockets including non-metallic items.
(If you have any item in your pockets, you could be checked additional security procedures.)
c. Walk into the imaging portal, stand in a position and remain still for a few seconds while the technology creates an image of the passenger in real time.
d. Exit the opposite side of the portal and wait for a minute. Staff will notice you the image screening result.
e. You may go through the follow-up procedures according to the security personnel's guide.
f. After completing all steps, you can collect all your belongings and go.
 
7. Is AIT screening optional?
Yes, AIT screening is optional for all passengers. Passengers who do not wish to receive AIT screening will receive a physical pat-down.
 
8. What does Pat-down mean?
Pat-down is the way to check the passengers by security personnel's hands (directly by security personnel).
 
9. Is AIT(Advanced Imaging Technology) screening optional?
Yes, AIT screening is optional for all passengers.
Passengers who do not wish to receive AIT screening, and pregnant woman, infants and children, the disabled, patient, etc will receive alternative screening, including a physical pat-down.
 
10. What's the criteria for selecting passengers to scan by the AIT(Advanced Imaging Technology)?
It's hard to give any specific information for the security reason.
But, only passengers suspected of posing a threat to other travelers and airplanes, and those who are on the watch list or suspected of carrying suspicious materials on their first security checks will undergo the AIT screening. We are not selecting by nationality, race, gender, religion, departing country, etc.
 
11. If passengers refuse to scan by AIT and also physical pat-down from religious reason?
According to the Aviation Safety and Security Act Article 15, passengers including carry-on, and checked baggage must receive security checks.
If refused, passengers and any baggage can be denied to board the aircraft.
 
FYI, anyone who interfere with security staff's work such as security screening, access control, etc or those who are assaulting security staff will be punished by law.

○ Carry-ons
: Batteries inside electronic products, extra batteries, and storage batteries may be carried into the cabin. However, storage batteries for battery powered wheelchairs must first be removed. Once both poles are disconnected it may be brought into the cabin.
 
Also, 1 hair spray, cosmetic, perfume, or shaving cream under 0.5 liters can be carried into the cabin.
 
○ Checked baggage
: Liquid storage batteries (Storage batteries with electrolytes) are strictly forbidden in entering the plane, but normal batteries may be sent in checked baggage.
 
Except the above mentioned items such as hair sprays, all flammable sprays are forbidden on the plane.

Cosmetic products in the form of liquid and gel (e.g. perfume, toner, lotion) are allowed in carry-on bags when meeting the conditions below.

The container of each item must be 100 ml or less. Each passenger is allowed a clear 1 L sealed plastic bag (20.5 cm x 20.5 cm or 15 cm x 25 cm) with all the items in it. If the bag is not completely sealed, it is prohibited from being carried on the aircraft.

Before undergoing the screening procedure, take your plastic bag out of your carry-on bag and show it to the security officer.

Any personal item in the form of aerosol spray (e.g. hair spray, portable oxygen spray, and bug repellents) is allowed in carry-on bags when the container of each item is 100 ml or less. A single item from the same kind is allowed in checked baggage when its quantity is 500 ml or less and the combined weight of all items is under 2 kg.

Self-defense sprays are not allowed in carry-on bags. Only one self-defense spray, not exceeding 100 ml (regardless of the quantity of its remains), is permitted per passenger in checked baggage. Flammable pesticides (e.g. mosquito repellents) are not permitted in either carry-on bags or checked baggage. 

Incheon International Airport places a limit on the quantity and volume of liquids, sprays and gels in carry-on bags for all departing international flights.
Liquids, sprays and gels are allowed in carry-on bags if the container of each item is 100 ml or less (regardless of the quantity of its remains) with all items in a clear 1 L sealed plastic bag (20.5 cm x 20.5 cm or 15 cm x 25 cm). Each passenger is allowed to board with a single plastic bag.

[Review the items listed below when packing them in your carry-on bag.]
- Liquids: kimchi, alcohol, bottled water, beverage, juice, perfume, etc.
- Sprays: hair spray, portable oxygen spray, bug repellent, etc.
- Gels: toiletries (e.g. toothpaste, shampoo), cream-type cosmetics (e.g. lotion), and liquid/paste-type foods (e.g. gochujang, doenjang, canned goods).
* Solid food is allowed in carry-on bags (e.g. seasoned dried shredded dish, seasoned dried anchovies)

[What should I do if I did not bring a plastic bag?]
- You can purchase a plastic bag at any convenient store on the third floor of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

[What about baby food/drink?]
- Baby food/drink (e.g. milk, water, juice, cream) and other related articles (e.g. wet wipes) are allowed for passengers traveling with a child younger than six years of age, but only to the degree that you need during the flight.

Incheon International Airport's security equipment (e.g. walk through metal detectors, handheld metal detectors) used during the screening process emits extremely low levels of electromagnetic radiation, and does not pose any health risk to individuals.

However, other special screening procedures are available at the security checkpoint if a passenger decides to opt out of a metal detector screening due to being pregnant, wearing a wig, having any psychological condition, etc.

Passengers with metal implants from surgery or for other medical reasons may cause the alarm to go off during the screening process. You can inform the security officer in advance to undergo other available special screening procedure.

 
Duty Free items are tax exempt and therefore according to Customs regulations, exchanges and refunds may not be given at normal shops. You may follow the below steps for exchanges and refunds.
 
① When residing overseas: Exchange or refund through international parcel.
② When residing in the country: Exchange and refunds restricted only when it was declared at customs on arrival (Items under $600 do not need to be declared)
 
However, exchange/refunds are only permitted at the Duty Free shop where the item was purchased, so visitors must make the exchange on departure or ask a departing acquaintance to make the exchange on your behalf.
 
※ Please call the Duty Free shop where you have purchased your item for more details on exchange and refund procedures.
- Shilla Duty Free: 82-32-743-4463 / 82-1688-1110
- Korea Tourism Organization Duty Free Shop: 82-32-743-2000
- Lotte Duty Free Shop: 82-32-743-7779

You may not use the Duty Free shop on arrival (Customs laws prohibit installation of Duty Free shops at arrival areas)
 
Passengers who were unable to use the Duty Free shop on departure should use the Duty Free shop from the country they depart from for return since Duty Free shops are not installed at Incheon International Airport.
 
Thank you.

 
There are four Duty Free shops at Incheon Airport, and operation hours are 07:00 ~ 21:30 (open every day).
Koreans may purchase up to 3,000 USD in total, and taxes are exempt to 600 USD. (When purchases exceed 600 USD, passengers must declare it at Customs)
 
* Duty Free Shops
- Shilla Duty Free Shop: 82-32-743-4463 / 82-1688-1110
- Lotte Duty Free Shop: 82-32-743-7779
- Korea Tourism Organization: 82-32-743-2000
 
* Duty Free Item delivery place
- Contact: 82-32-743-6910
- Operation Hour: Period during first flight ~ final flight
 
Please refer to the following menu on our website.
: Home>Shop&Dine>Shopping

Tax-refund scheme is to let foreign tourists get inland tax return on their departure from Korea. This policy is only applied to those who will leave Korea in 3 months after purchase of products.
 
* Step for tax-refund
- Obtain confirmation document on purchase at the tax-free shops in Korea
- Get a stamp from customs desk in a passenger terminal of Incheon Airport(Public areal, 3F) after showing products purchased to officers.
- Submit the document with a stamp to tax-refund counter located in duty-free area.
- Get tax returned.
 
* Tax-Refund Counter
- Cube Refund
① Location : 4F, Near Gate 26~27(Duty-free area)
② Tel : 82-32-743-7556
③ Homepage : http://www.cuberefund.com
 
* Automatic Tax Refund Devices(if KRW75,000 or less per payment receipt)
- operation hours : 24 hours
- location : (Public area) 3F, Near customs clearance area 1~4 in the passenger terminal(Duty-free area) 3F, Near gate 26~27 in the passenger terminal 4F, Near pharmacy in central area of concourse
- contacts : 82-32-743-1009
- homepage : http://www.kicc.co.kr