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Buy Korean won before you fly to Seoul
Buy South Korean won online from US First Exchange and land in Seoul or Busan with cash ready to spend. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
How much cash do you need in Korea?
South Korea is one of the most card-friendly countries in Asia. Cards work in most shops, cafés, restaurants and taxis, and many places take mobile payments.
Won in cash is still useful for street food at markets such as Gwangjang and Myeongdong, small family restaurants, some market stalls, and topping up a T-money transit card at subway machines. Tipping is not expected in Korea, so you will need less cash than in many other countries.
South Korean won banknotes at a glance
Korean banknotes are issued by the Bank of Korea. We source won as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Typical use |
|---|---|
| ₩1,000 | Snacks, transit card top-ups |
| ₩5,000 | Street food, coffee |
| ₩10,000 | Meals, everyday spending |
| ₩50,000 | The largest note; bigger purchases |
How to buy Korean won online
- Choose your amount. Select South Korean won and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See how to get foreign currency delivered to your door or the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source won to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy won from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with won to spare? Sell South Korean won for US dollars.
Visiting more than one country? See every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need cash in South Korea?
Not much. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but cash helps at street food markets, small restaurants and transit card machines.
Do I need to tip in Korea?
No. Tipping is not expected in South Korea.
How long does it take to get Korean won delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you travel.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy South Korean won with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return South Korean won?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.