🇰🇷 South Korea (KR)

Controlled/Low-Risk

Cabin, Hold, or Cargo Allowed

South Korea Pet Import Requirements & Vet Timeline

Official pet import rules for bringing a dog or cat into South Korea under APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency). Review the rule table below or pick your origin country, airline, breed, and flight date in the calculator to generate your exact paperwork schedule.

Official South Korea Pet Import Rules at a Glance

Summary of APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) entry rules for accompanied dogs and cats.

Import Biosecurity Authority	APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
Outbound Export Authority	APQA Quarantine Officer
ISO Microchip Standard	ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (must be implanted on or before rabies vaccination)
Primary Rabies Vaccine Wait	Minimum 30 days before arrival
Rabies Blood Titer Test (FAVN / RNATT)	Required unless arriving directly from a recognized Step-Free / Rabies-Free country (30-day wait after blood draw, 21 days post-vaccination).
Dog Tapeworm (Echinococcus) Treatment	No 24–120 hour statutory tapeworm window; follow standard pre-flight parasite check
Health Certificate & Endorsement Window	APQA Veterinary Health Certificate — endorsed within 10 days before departure
Advance Import Permit	Not required for standard accompanied non-commercial pets
Permitted Aircraft Arrival Mode	Passenger Cabin, Checked Excess Baggage (AVIH), or Manifest Cargo
Post-Arrival Quarantine	0 days (immediate clearance when all pre-arrival rules are met)

Calculate Your South Korea Pet Travel Timeline

Pre-set for arrival in South Korea. Change your origin country, airline, breed, or departure date below to see your custom schedule.

Live Date Calculator

Updates as you change fields

Enter Your Trip & Pet Details

Choose your origin, destination, airline, breed, and target flight date to get every vet step in reverse order.

1. Route & Airline

Origin Country *

Rabies status: Controlled/Low-Risk

Destination Country *

Authority: APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)

Operating Airline *

Target Departure Date *

2. Pet Details

Pet Species *

DogCat

Pet Breed *

Weight + Carrier (kg) *

Cabin limit is usually 8 kg with bag

Pet Name (for PDF)

Layover Note (Optional)

Quarantine Risk

22/ 100

Low Quarantine Risk

Flight Countdown

75days

Min: 52d • Ideal: 66d

Airline Policy

Korean Air

Checked Hold () Approved

Timeline Check • CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF

Latest Vet Start: Nov 24, 2026

Feasible Timeline: 75 days available (52 days strict minimum)

Starting today gives you sufficient runway to complete South Korea's veterinary sequence, government endorsement via USDA APHIS (VEHCS), and Korean Air pet booking.

Pressurized Hold (Excess Baggage) Approved on Korean Air

(102 x 69 x 76 cm)

At 30 kg, your Golden Retriever exceeds the 7 kg cabin limit and qualifies as Checked Excess Baggage (AVIH) up to 45 kg in an IATA-compliant rigid crate (IATA Series 500 (102 x 69 x 76 cm)).

Step-by-Step Vet & Travel Schedule

Target Flight: Jan 15, 2027

Counting backward from USA (US) South Korea (KR) arrival.

Free Preview Steps (Steps 1–2)

Included Free

Step 1: ISO 11784/11785 15-Digit Microchip Implantation & Scan Check

T-52 Days Minimum

📅 On or before Tue, Nov 24, 2026

Implant or scan-verify a non-encrypted ISO 11784/11785 15-digit. Any rabies vaccination administered BEFORE the microchip implantation date is legally invalid for South Korea.

⚠️ Ensure the exact 15-digit barcode sticker is affixed to all vaccination and health certificates.

Step 2: Inactivated / Recombinant Rabies Vaccination (Post-Microchip)

T-51 Days Cutoff

📅 No later than Wed, Nov 25, 2026

Administer WHO/WOAH-approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (pet must be >= 12 weeks old). Triggers 30-day primary immunity wait required by APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency).

⚠️ Record vaccine manufacturer, product name, batch/lot number, administration date, and valid-until date.

Exact Treatment Hours, Gov. Sign-Off & Downloads (Steps 3–6)

$29 Pro Packet

Step 3: Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test (FAVN / RNATT)

T-30 Days Mandatory Wait

⏱️ At least 21d post-rabies & >= 30d before flight (Dec 16, 2026 16:00 cutoff)

Because USA is classified as "Controlled/Low-Risk" for South Korea entry, serum must reach >= 0.5 IU/mL and complete a mandatory 30-day waiting period from the date of blood sampling.

📌 Original laboratory report with microchip match must travel in the physical document pouch.

Step 4: Government Health Certificate Endorsement (USDA APHIS (VEHCS))

T-10 to T-2 Days

⏱️ Opens Jan 5 at 08:00 -> Strict Endorsement Cutoff Jan 13, 2027 at 16:00

Accredited vet completes clinical examination and issues "APQA Veterinary Health Certificate", followed by official government counter-signature & embossed seal from USDA APHIS (VEHCS) strictly within 10 days of departure.

📌 Submit electronically (e.g., USDA VEHCS) or overnight courier with prepaid return label at least 72 hours before departure.

Step 5: Internal/External Parasite Prophylaxis & IATA Fit-to-Fly Exam

-72h to -24h Pre-Departure

⏱️ EARLIEST: Tue, Jan 12, 2027 at 14:00 -> LATEST: Thu, Jan 14, 2027 at 14:00

Administer broad-spectrum endo/ectoparasitic treatment (flea/tick + cestode/nematode) and obtain signed IATA Live Animals Fit-to-Fly statement for canine carriage on Korean Air.

📌 Never sedate or tranquilize pets prior to air travel—IATA and airlines refuse sedated animals due to altitude blood-pressure drop.

Step 6: Airport Check-In Counter & South Korea Border Inspection

Departure Day (T-3h)

⏱️ Tender at Jan 15 at 11:00 (3h pre-flight) -> Customs Clearance ~Jan 16 at 04:00

Present original FAVN lab report (>= 0.5 IU/ml) and government-endorsed health certificate at Incheon (ICN) APQA desk.

📌 Attach copies of all endorsed certificates in a waterproof Ziploc pouch taped to top of crate (keep signed originals in carry-on if flying passenger cabin).

Unlock Full Compliance Packet ($29)

See your exact hour-by-hour tapeworm treatment window, USDA APHIS (VEHCS) endorsement cutoff, Printable Vet Sign-Off PDF, and Apple/Google .ics Calendar Sync with 48-hour alerts.

Exact 24–120h tapeworm and parasite treatment times
Printable Vet Sign-Off & 15-Digit Microchip PDF Packet
One-click .ics Calendar Sync with 48h advance reminders

One-time checkout via PayPal or card • Instant PDF & .ics download

Confirm requirements with a government-accredited vet before travel.

Port-of-Entry Inspection

Arriving in South Korea: Airport & Customs Checklist

Present original FAVN lab report (>= 0.5 IU/ml) and government-endorsed health certificate at Incheon (ICN) APQA desk.
Pets >= 90 days old from non-rabies-free countries without a valid FAVN result are held in quarantine at owner's expense.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bringing a Pet to South Korea

How far in advance should I start preparing to bring a dog or cat to South Korea?

APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) recommends starting at least 65 days before travel. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit implanted on or before its rabies vaccination, followed by a 30-day primary rabies immunity wait (plus a 30-day FAVN rabies antibody wait where applicable).

Does South Korea require a rabies antibody blood test (FAVN / RNATT)?

Required unless arriving directly from a recognized Step-Free / Rabies-Free country (30-day wait after blood draw, 21 days post-vaccination).

Can my dog or cat fly in the passenger cabin into South Korea?

Yes — South Korea allows pets to arrive in the passenger cabin, checked hold (AVIH), or manifest cargo, subject to your airline's weight cap (typically 8 kg including carrier for cabin) and breed rules.

When must the veterinary health certificate be endorsed before flying to South Korea?

Your government-accredited veterinarian must issue "APQA Veterinary Health Certificate" and obtain official export authority endorsement within 10 days before departure.