South Korea Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to South Korea pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include proof of a microchip, a current rabies vaccination, a rabies titer test, parasite treatments, and a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.

Pets in South Korea

While dogs and cats are the most common pets in South Korea, interest in birds, fish, small mammals, and even reptiles is growing. The development of pet-related services and changing attitudes among the population indicate a positive trend towards responsible pet ownership and animal welfare in the country. As South Korea continues to modernize, the role of pets in society is likely to become even more significant.

South Korea has a well-developed network of veterinary clinics offering a range of services, from routine check-ups to advanced medical treatments involved in exporting pets to other countries. Cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon have a significant number of pet supply stores; however, these services are less prevalent in rural areas.

Urbanization, exposure to global cultures, and the influence of social media are shifting attitudes towards pets. Dressing pets in fashionable clothes and accessories is a notable trend in South Korea reflecting the importance of pets to the younger generation.

Flights to South Korea

Flights to South Korea should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.

Quarantine for pets entering South Korea

Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.

South Korea Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog or cat to South Korea must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

Rabies-Free Countries

The countries listed below are considered rabies-free by South Korea: Andorra, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cabo Verdi, Cayman Islands, Comoros, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Estonia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Finland, Germany, Guam, Guadeloupe, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montenegro, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Reunion, Samoa, San Marino, San Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Wallis and Fortuna, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu.

Non-Rabies Free Countries

All other countries not listed above.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for South Korea.

Step 2: Pet Microchip

The first step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to South Korea is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government’s database in your country.

Step 3: Vaccinations

After microchip insertion, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine that is approved in the country of origin. If your dog or cat does not have a current rabies vaccination, the vaccination must be administered no sooner than 30 days before entering South Korea. It is recommended that your cat or dog has received its vaccination within the past year; however, regulations do not mention that multiyear rabies vaccinations are not accepted.

Other Vaccinations

Dogs entering South Korea from any country should be vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis.

Cats entering South Korea from any country should be vaccinated against feline calicivirus, panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline leukemia.

Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.

Unless your pet is entering South Korea from a country classified as rabies-free (see step 1), your pet will need a rabies titer test no sooner than 30 days after rabies vaccination. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Your pet’s microchip number must be listed accurately on the submittal and the results from the laboratory.

Step 5: Parasite Treatments

A treatment for internal and external parasites is recommended for cats and dogs shortly prior to entering South Korea from all countries.

Step 6: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and South Korea are no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number and species

After the vaccinations and titer test are completed, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must then complete the health certificate shortly prior to travel. After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the country of origin responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Related: Pet Health Certificate for Korea

Step 7: Import Permit

Pet owners bringing ten or more cats and/or dogs to South Korea must submit an advance notification form to the Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency (QIA) and obtain prior approval for the use of an animal quarantine facility.

Other Information

Importing a Pet to South Korea from Malaysia & Australia

Cats and dogs being imported to South Korea from Malaysia will need an additional certificate stating the following:

Your pet has not lived in a country or State (larger than South Korea) where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Your pet has been tested with negative result to a test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 14 days of export.

Cats may only enter South Korea from Australia with a certificate stating that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Dogs and cats entering South Korea from Malaysia and cats imported from Australia without these certificates may be subject to 21 days of quarantine.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to South Korea

Unvaccinated pets under the age of three months can enter South Korea as long as they have been microchipped and accompanied by a health certificate. For puppies and kittens over three months, a titer test should be done 30 days after vaccination and at least 30 days prior to entering South Korea.

More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to South Korea

South Korea does not publish a list of banned breeds.

Entering South Korea with a Pet

When you arrive at the international airport, you must go to the NVRQS (National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service) office with your pet and its certificate for the purpose of quarantine procedure. Your pet will be released into your custody the same day provided that you submit the required Veterinary Certificate and upon inspection your pet is found to be healthy.

A cat or dog whose accompanying documentation has been verified and whose health has been confirmed through a clinical
examination at the port of entry may be released on the day of arrival. If your pet’s microchip number does not match the
number on the health certificate or if the titer test results are 0.5IU/ml or lower, your pet will be quarantined and tests will be done at your expense until your pet conforms to country requirements.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Austria. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Importing Other Pet Animals to South Korea

Pet birds must be quarantined for a period of five days unless they were held in quarantine in the country from which they came for a period of at least five days. In this case, the quarantine will be one day. The following countries are approved for bird import:

New Zealand, United States, Australia, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, France, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan.

Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter South Korea. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Pet Import Requirements for South Korea?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for South Korea at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

Here’s what is included in the South Korea pet passport package:

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to South Korea from any country available in six languages
• ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
• Required Vaccinations and Intervals
• Rabies Titer Test Instructions
• Approved Laboratories for Titer Sample
• Import Permit Application & Instructions
• Prenotification Contacts
• IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
• Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
• Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
• FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

• Veterinary Health Certificate for South Korea (US/Canada)
• Microchip Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to South Korea?

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Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:

• Make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
• Return your pet to the country of origin at your expense or
• Euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following South Korea pet import requirements.