Korean eliquids

[aftercafe]

I've noticed that eliquids are VERY expensive in Korea. 18,000~20,000WON (approx 18~20USD) for 10mm? I don't think so :/

Does anybody know where I can get them at cheaper prices?

Or is it just best to order them online?

 

[azzaman]

Not sure if things have changed, but this was taken from a suppliers website.

"Oct 8, 2010: Recenlty, we have several orders seized by Korea customs, our customers have to pay high custom duties for clearance, Korea customers please pay attention to it. "

May not be worth the trouble.

 

[Valsacar]

Ande has posted a lot of information on ordering from overseas. If I remember correctly the rate was about 600won/ml if customs stops it. That would make a 30ml bottle cost an extra 18k won in taxes which is still less (assuming you order bulk to compensate for the shipping cost).

 

[aftercafe]

Ande has posted a lot of information on ordering from overseas. If I remember correctly the rate was about 600won/ml if customs stops it. That would make a 30ml bottle cost an extra 18k won in taxes which is still less (assuming you order bulk to compensate for the shipping cost).

So what do you do? Do you jst buy them in the country?

 

[Ande]

I buy some locally, order some from overseas.

IF your overseas order is stopped by customs, it works out slightly less expensive than local bought juice.

Example- order 4 30 ml bottles from FSUSA- cost, ~$60 for juice, ~$20 for shipping. $80, plus, if customs gets it, another 72,000won for the government. (about $60US)

this makes it $140 for 120ml of juice.

At Janty, here in Daegu, 120ml of juice will run you 222,000won- about $200 US.

(and the FSUSA stuff is better, though Janty ain't bad.)

And sometimes customs doesn't stop the order.

Best,
Ande

 

[Ande]

PS- If you order more juice in your overseas order, you can improve the numbers a little. But...living here has many benefits, and some downsides.

 

[Valsacar]

I saw a store selling 10ml bottles of FSUSA in the electronics market for 16k, FSUSA told me they do have two distributors in country but I'm not sure who or if they still have that going on as it was a year ago they mentioned it.

 

[Demo]

I spent the day looking for juice in Seoul I found that at Garden 5, three of the five e-cig sellers are shuttered (two 'brand' names: 'Ryuan' (sp?) and 'Support') and the two that remain are Janty (reliable, but expensive) and a smaller "Cosmo" store. I had a chat with the owner of Cosmo - a really affable guy - and he said that times are tough now since the hammer fell. He had only 2 bottles of juice and was going to give me a 'deal' at 30,000 won for a 20ml bottle. He said he would be getting more soon and will call me when he does.
Next, off to Technomart, where again, Janty was going strong and of all of the small retailers (I found 5 in total: they had a few e-cigs off to the side of their booths), they all were out of stock on any juice except "Veil" from the US at about the same price as Janty: 35,000 won for a 20ml bottle.
Tough times indeed. I will post back over the course of the week; I have some more places scoped out for tomorrow.

 

[Ande]

THanks for the report.

I've been around Daegu and Busan recently, haven't passed through Seoul for a couple of weeks. Much the same scenario. Several shops seem to have closed, a few remain, and those that do are relatively expensive.

May be time for me to learn to DIY juice...


Best,
Ande

 

[Ande]

PS- Is "Veil" from the US? I bought some a couple of weeks ago, and was sure the label said made in China. Will see if I still have the package to check...

 

[Demo]

Ande; I may be mistaken. I thought it said something to the effect of being from the US, but not having my glasses, I couldn't read the fine print.

I am going to try ordering from Health Cabin and see what happens. As you said, if customs stops it, in the end it won't cost me more than paying retail, so I think it is worth the risk. Maybe you would know: Is there any criminal aspect to ordering juice from China? I don't want that kind of trouble.

 

[Ande]

Valsacar's been here longer than I have, and may have more info on that. I don't think there is, but couldn't pretend to be sure.

Seems like it's (probably) legal to import eliquid for personal use, but the tax is sort of heavy.

Sorry, don't know much more...

Ande

 

[Valsacar]

I don't believe it is (at least not right now), but I'm not a fan of the Chinese juice. I do order bottles/hardware/etc from GH1 and shipping is normally pretty quick. Normally about 3 days from order to door (EMS 17 bucks in shipping). It's not too much cheaper than ordering from the US as far as shipping goes, but delivery time is much better.

 

[Demo]

Thanks for that Valascar. May I ask why your preference for US juice? I too have some pretty big reservations about the stuff from China, but more a quality issue than a taste thing. Also, have there been any problems with K customs regarding the delivery from the US? I understand there is always a risk and am not looking for a guarantee or anything, just wondering if you have had any problems. Final questions: where do you order from in the US and what is the delivery time?

Sorry, as I am sure you have answered these questions somewhere else in the forum, probably a few times.

Thanks.

 

[darkpoet]

GH1 is awesome. I usually order a battery or some other hardware. My experience that liquid-only shipments are the ones that get stopped. It's a gamble but if you get nailed for the import tax, it's way more expensive than a battery and some drip tips.

 

[Ande]

In the US, I've ordered from Freedom SmokeUSA, MyFreedomSmokes, and Innovapor.

In the UK, cloudninevaping and liberty flights.

Delivery time generally 6 to 12 working days, but IF it gets stopped by customs, then this is the time to get TO customs. Getting out of customs is usually another 3-6 working days, and will take some time and legwork on your part.

Don't know about y'all, but I'm planning to learn to DIY, so I can import less frequently...


Best,
Ande

 

[Valsacar]

Mainly I just haven't liked the taste of most Chinese juices I've had, and I like that basically all the US companies will let me customize it (since they make to order) however I want it. Seeing as I have an APO address, it's also easier and no issues with customs. There is a Dekang store near Mapo (gongdeok 5-way intersection, behind the hotel) but I haven't gone in to see their prices (they are still open, drove past it yesterday).

 

[Phr0stByte]

Sounds to me like a DIYer could make a lot of money over there in Korea. I wish I was still there... Maybe the nic base is hard to get.

 

[aftercafe]

Sounds to me like a DIYer could make a lot of money over there in Korea. I wish I was still there... Maybe the nic base is hard to get.

It's not that, we just heavily tax nicotine products.
A pack of cigarettes cost only maybe 500WON (around 50 cents) to make, but are sold at 2500WON($2.50). The government claims that the money is used for public education or so I believe.

And yes you could make a lot of money but would get fined if you were caught doing it

 

[Valsacar]

It's not just taxes, but that's what they'll tell you. I knew a guy that worked at one of the stores (an international one, not just a Korean one) and he showed me the break down of their cost, the taxes, and the massive mark-up. The taxes are high, but they are also marking it up (compared to what they sell in other countries) at least as much as the taxes.