Tip Tipping is not a regular practice in Korea. Service charges are included in your bill on the price of rooms, meals, and other services at hotels and elite restaurants. In the other restaurants and service industries, tipping is neither expected nor required. However, Koreans do sometimes tip when they are especially pleased with the service they receive or when a taxi driver, for example, goes out of his or her way to help them. Tax Foreign tourists can get about a 10 percent VAT refund for purchases at "Tax Free Shopping" outlets upon request, and goods must be taken out of Korea within three months of purchase to apply for a tax refund. Only foreign tourists in Korea can apply for a tax refund.