Frequently asked questions
Everything we get asked about how Lost & Found Korea works. Search or browse by category.
About the Service
What we do and how we work
We help international travelers recover items they've left behind in Korea — bags, wallets, passports, electronics, anything you might have lost at an airport, hotel, locker, public transit station, or other Korean facility. We coordinate the search in Korean on your behalf, retrieve the item once located, package it carefully, and ship it to wherever you are in the world.
Korean facilities are excellent at storing lost items, but they generally aren't equipped to handle international shipping, English correspondence, or follow-ups across time zones. Once you've left the country, the practical path back to your item often closes. We bridge that gap.
We work nationwide. We coordinate with airports, hotels, train and subway systems, taxi companies, and various other facilities across Korea. Some locations outside Seoul/Gyeonggi may carry a small surcharge.
No. We're an independent, registered business in Korea. We work as your authorized agent — communicating with facilities and authorities on your behalf — but we are not part of any government agency or facility.
Pricing & Payment
Fees, currencies, and how to pay
We offer three service tiers:
- Recovery — FREE to start, $39 if found. We search for free. You only pay $39 if we successfully locate your item and you wish to receive its location and pickup details.
- All-in-One — $79. A single-price service combining search, pickup coordination, and shipping.
- Delivery Only — $49. For when you already know where the item is being held; we handle pickup and shipping.
Surcharges may apply for locations outside the Seoul/Gyeonggi region (+$20).
Yes. Service fees do not include third-party costs such as locker storage fees, international shipping, packaging materials, optional insurance, or customs duties. We provide an itemized estimate before you commit, so you'll know the full total in advance.
We currently accept payment via PayPal (which also supports major credit cards). For custom invoices that include third-party costs (storage, shipping, etc.), we send you an itemized invoice that you can pay directly through PayPal.
Our fees are quoted in USD. Payment is processed in USD via PayPal, which automatically handles currency conversion at PayPal's exchange rate if you pay from a different currency.
Once we begin pickup, packaging, and shipping coordination, work and third-party costs are immediately incurred on your behalf — locker fees, packaging materials, postage. Prepayment is what allows us to handle those costs and ship without delay.
Recovery & Shipping Process
From report to delivery
Submit a brief report through our website. Include:
- A description of the item
- Where you think you lost it (or last saw it)
- Approximate date and time of loss
- Your contact information and current location
The initial report is free. You only commit to a service fee once we either locate your item (Recovery tier) or you confirm a service (All-in-One / Delivery Only).
It varies depending on where the item is held and how quickly the facility responds. Most cases are located within 24–72 hours. Some take longer, particularly with smaller facilities or items lost in transit. We'll keep you updated throughout.
For the Recovery tier, there's no charge if we can't locate your item. For All-in-One service, if we cannot locate the item before pickup begins, we will refund the LFK service fee.
Only if you ask us to, or if a facility/customs requires it. If you prefer the bag stay sealed, we honor that completely — we'll repackage it in a protective outer box without opening the original. Just let us know your preference.
We typically use EMS (Korea Post's international express service) or EMS Premium, which are reliable, trackable, and well-suited for international delivery. Express options (DHL, FedEx, UPS) are available if you need faster delivery, though they cost significantly more. We'll recommend an option based on your item's size, weight, and urgency.
Yes. Every shipment includes a tracking number that you can use on Korea Post's site, USPS (for U.S. shipments), or unified tracking sites like 17track.net.
- EMS Standard: typically 7–14 days
- EMS Premium: typically 5–7 days
- Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS): typically 3–5 days
Times vary by destination country and customs processing.
Safety, Insurance & Refunds
Protection and policies
Yes. EMS includes basic insurance, and we add declared-value insurance up to your stated item value at no extra cost to you, for protection during international transit. For high-value items, additional carrier insurance is available.
Once handed off to the carrier, the package is in their custody and shipping risk transfers to them. If something goes wrong in transit, the carrier or insurance provider handles the claim. We provide all documentation needed to support your claim and assist throughout the process.
Our services are prepay-and-go. Once payment is made, we begin coordination and incur third-party costs immediately on your behalf, so payments are generally non-refundable. The exception is if we cancel a service ourselves (e.g. the item cannot legally be shipped) — in which case we refund LFK service fees minus any third-party costs already incurred. See our Refund Policy for full details.
You're responsible for any customs duties or import taxes imposed by your country. We declare item values honestly on customs forms based on the value you provide. For shipments under most countries' de minimis thresholds (e.g. $800 for the U.S.), no duties typically apply.
We don't ship anything illegal, hazardous, or restricted under Korean export law or your country's import law. This includes weapons, certain medications, ivory, and other regulated items. If we're unsure about a specific item, we'll consult with the post office before proceeding.
We only collect what we need to coordinate the recovery and shipping. We never sell your data, and we share information only with the facilities and carriers necessary to complete your service. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Trust & Verification
Why you can rely on us
Fair question. We're a registered business in Korea (registration number visible in our footer and legal pages). We provide tracking numbers, photographs of the packaging process, official post office receipts, and continuous updates. Payment is processed through PayPal, which provides its own buyer protection. We're happy to answer any questions before you commit.
Yes. We provide:
- A clear estimate before payment
- A PayPal payment receipt
- Photographs of the packaging process
- The official shipping receipt and tracking number
- Customs declaration documentation
Email us at support@lostandfoundkorea.com. We respond promptly. If something goes wrong, we'll work with you to resolve it transparently.