The Korea Customs Service will tighten luggage checks for travelers who frequently go on golf tours or buy luxury goods during the summer holiday season from Monday to Aug. 31, it said Sunday. The aim is to quell conspicuous consumption and prevent smuggling during the busy season.

Customs officers will keep a particular eye on flights and ships from shopping destinations like Hong Kong and Macao and countries that are notorious origins of contraband.

Currently, travelers are required to report to customs when they import items worth more than US$400, animals and plants, and more than $10,000 in cash. On entering Korea, people are allowed to bring in up to 1 l of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 60 ml of perfume duty-free. For unreported items, an additional tax of 30 percent is levied.

When leaving, travelers are also required to report cash, animals and plants, and items worth over $400, including camcorders and laptops.