Korean art supply shops carry both Western materials and traditional Korean painting supplies, and it is the traditional side where importing makes the most sense, since almost none of it reaches US retail. The constraint, as always with art materials, is solvents.
Traditional Korean materials
Hanji paper, ink sticks, ink stones and traditional brushes are the distinctive part of this market. Hanji sheets run 1,000-8,000 KRW depending on size and grade, weigh very little and pack flat if rolled in a tube. Traditional brushes at 10,000-60,000 KRW are similarly light.
Dry Western materials
Colored pencils, pastels, markers with alcohol-based ink and watercolor pans are widely available and reasonably priced. Alcohol markers are worth checking with your service, since some carriers treat them as restricted depending on the ink formulation.
What will not fly
Turpentine, mineral spirits, solvent-based varnish, spray fixative and aerosol anything. These are hazardous materials on air freight and are refused. Oil paints themselves are sometimes acceptable and sometimes not depending on pigment and carrier, so ask before ordering a full set.
Paper shipping notes
Large sheets should be rolled in a tube rather than folded, since a crease in art paper is permanent. Tubes attract length-based handling on some services, so check whether a smaller sheet size would serve.
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Start a buy-for-me order →Frequently asked
Can I ship oil paint?
It depends on the specific paint and the carrier, and policies change. Confirm before ordering rather than after.
Is hanji worth importing?
It has no real US equivalent at comparable pricing, and it weighs almost nothing, which makes it one of the better art supply imports.
Are alcohol markers restricted?
Sometimes, depending on ink formulation and carrier policy. Check with your service before ordering a large set.