Myeongdong Daiso: The Must-Buy List for Japanese and Taiwanese Travelers, and Why
The items Japanese and Taiwanese travelers reliably buy at Daiso's Myeongdong Station branch in Seoul are affordable sheet masks like VT PDRN Brightening Ampoule Sheet Masks and Vaseline mask packs, VT Reedle Shot (needle shot) skincare, Samlip mini honey yakgwa cookies, and clothing such as windbreakers and socks priced around 5,000 won. The reason is simple: the Myeongdong Station store spans 12 floors, making it the second largest Daiso store in Seoul, so it carries an overwhelming range of products, and the low unit prices make it easy to stack several items to clear Korea's minimum tax refund purchase amount (15,000 won) while still comfortably fitting within the duty free limits travelers face when returning to Japan (200,000 yen per person) and Taiwan (NT$35,000).
What sets the Myeongdong Station store apart from other Daiso locations
Since reopening in March 2023, the Seoul Myeongdong Station store has operated across 12 floors above ground, covering roughly 500 pyeong (about 1,650 square meters), making it the second largest Daiso store in the country after the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal branch. Each floor is organized by category, beauty, food, stationery, clothing, character merchandise, so shoppers can effectively browse every Daiso category under one roof.
The rise in sales to foreign customers is striking. According to a report by the Korea Economic Daily, foreign card spending at the Myeongdong Station store jumped 130 percent year on year in 2023, then rose 50 percent in 2024 and 60 percent in 2025, with a 70 percent increase in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year. In August of the same year, overseas card sales were up 40 percent year on year, with transaction counts up about 20 percent.
What travelers stock up on, and why
- Sheet masks: In the beauty category, the VT PDRN Brightening Ampoule Sheet Mask ranks first, with Vaseline mask packs (intensive moisture and hydration) taking second and third place. Since individual sheets cost between 1,000 and 3,000 won, many shoppers buy large quantities to give as gifts.
- Reedle Shot (needle shot) products: VT Cosmetics' needle shot line ranks among the top sellers at stores with a high share of foreign customers, such as the Hongdae and Gangnam Station branches. Analysts attribute this to demand for products that deliver visible results quickly, as an alternative to pricier skincare.
- Food and snacks: The best selling item at the Myeongdong store is the Samlip mini honey yakgwa (priced around 1,500 won each), which is popular as a travel souvenir because it's small and easy to share.
- Affordable clothing: Daiso's clothing sales grew 60 percent year on year in the first half of this year. The shelves stock windbreakers, T-shirts, socks, and functional inner layers priced around 5,000 won, which light packing travelers also buy to change into on the spot.
A price range that clears both the tax refund threshold and customs limits back home
Under Korea's post facto duty free system, foreign tourists staying less than six months qualify for a refund on value added tax and individual consumption tax if they spend 15,000 won or more on a single receipt at one store. Because Daiso's items are individually cheap, it's easy to combine several products on one receipt to reach that threshold. That said, refund desk arrangements can vary by store, so shoppers should confirm at the register whether Tax Free processing is available and whether they need to show a passport.
Clearing customs on the way home is another advantage of shopping at Daiso. Japan and Taiwan each set the following duty free allowances for carry on goods. Because most Daiso items are individually cheap, they rarely come close to these limits.
| Category | Total duty free limit | Small value exemption per item |
|---|---|---|
| Returning to Japan | 200,000 yen per person (based on overseas market price) | Items other than alcohol, tobacco, and perfume are excluded from the 200,000 yen calculation if priced at 10,000 yen or less each; perfume has a separate duty free allowance of up to 2 ounces (about 56 ml) |
| Returning to Taiwan | NT$35,000 (raised from the previous NT$20,000 effective June 26, 2024) | Personal items that have already been used are separately exempt if their assessed value is NT$10,000 or less per item |
Even buying dozens of sheet masks priced at 1,000 to 3,000 won or clothing at around 5,000 won, travelers can clear customs without declaring anything as long as the total stays under both countries' duty free limits. However, for items like needle shots that come in sets and carry a higher unit price, the combined total counts toward the limit, so it's safer to keep the receipts together.
What to check when packing: sheet masks and liquid restrictions
Even though sheet masks are soaked in essence, individually packaged sheets are mostly exempt from Korea's in flight liquid restrictions under domestic aviation security rules. If you buy liquid cosmetics such as needle shot ampoules, lotion, or toner as new, unopened products, they fall under Incheon International Airport's rule of containers of 100 ml or less, one clear 1 liter zip bag per person. Larger volume products over 100 ml need to go in checked luggage or be placed in a suitcase to be checked in.
The 30 to 100 ml travel size containers Daiso also sells are designed to fit within this 100 ml rule, so another option is to buy a larger skincare product and decant it into a smaller container for carry on. If you didn't bring a zip bag, you can buy one at the convenience stores on the third floor of Incheon Airport's Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Reference: Korea Economic Daily, Tourists sweeping the Daiso clothing section, hooked on 5,000 won windbreakers
Reference: Easy to Find Legal Information, Guide to VAT refunds (post facto duty free) for foreign tourists
Reference: Japan Customs official site, Duty free allowances for overseas travelers
Reference: Japan Customs official site, 7105 Duty free allowances for overseas travelers' carry on items
Reference: Taipei Customs, Guide to duty free and dutiable items in incoming travelers' baggage