South Korea's Incheon Airport Seizes Kimchi and Other Popular Food Items
Incheon International Airport in South Korea is intensifying the confiscation of kimchi and other food items from travelers. The airport has seized over 10 tons of kimchi in the past year due to liquid regulations.
Security officials at South Korea's Incheon International Airport are increasingly cracking down on passengers attempting to bring kimchi in their carry-on luggage. Kimchi, a traditional dish made of salted and fermented vegetables, is often packaged in bottles or plastic bags soaked in liquid, which violates airport regulations that prohibit liquids exceeding 100ml.
Last year, Incheon International Airport confiscated a total of 10.7 tons of kimchi from travelers. Additionally, 10.5 tons of jang, a category of traditional fermented sauces and pastes, were also seized in 2023.
Many are reminded of the regulations through popular social media channels. A YouTube video by a Korean travel influencer regarding the restrictions on carrying kimchi gained over 1.2 million views in the past year.
The seized items are typically discarded or donated to local welfare centers, as confirmed by airport officials. This strict enforcement is not new; in 2024, Korean Air stopped serving ramyeon instant noodles on long-haul economy flights due to safety concerns, citing the increasing turbulence during flights.
Furthermore, travelers have faced issues bringing the Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning mix into Korea. While popular, this seasoning contains poppy seeds, which are banned in the country. Signs in both Korean and English have since been erected in the terminal to caution travelers against attempting to bring this popular item into South Korea.
