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Bringing a Dog or Cat to South Korea
Dogs and cats entering South Korea need an ISO microchip and a health certificate issued or endorsed by the government of the departure country. Pets 90 days or older from countries not on Korea's rabies-free list, including the mainland US, also need a rabies antibody test of 0.5 IU/ml or more from a blood sample taken within 24 months before arrival. Pets that meet the rules are released on the day of arrival.
Requirements at a glance
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785, required at any age; for other chips bring your own scanner |
|---|---|
| Rabies antibody test | 0.5 IU/ml or more (FAVN or RFFIT), sample taken within 24 months before arrival; for pets 90+ days old from non-rabies-free countries |
| Rabies-free origins | UK, Ireland, Hawaii, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Portugal and others need no antibody test (check the current list) |
| Health certificate | Issued or endorsed by the departure country's government (USDA APHIS within 30 days of export from the US); an EU pet passport works if issued in and departing from an EU country |
| Import permit | None; 10 or more pets need advance notification |
| Quarantine | None if compliant (same-day release); otherwise held until fixed, about 10 days on average |
| Plan ahead | At least 2 months from the US |
Step-by-step timeline
- 2+ months beforeMicrochip, then a rabies vaccine if it is not current. Check whether your departure country is on Korea's rabies-free list; the list can change.
- After vaccinationBlood sample for the rabies antibody test at an internationally approved lab or a government lab. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or more and stays usable for 24 months from the sample date.
- Weeks beforeHealth certificate showing the microchip number, test result, test date, lab name and date of birth. In the US, USDA APHIS endorses it within 30 days of export.
- ArrivalShow the certificate to the animal quarantine officer before customs. Pets that meet the rules are released the same day.
Dogs vs cats
Dogs and cats follow the same rules. Pets under 90 days old do not need the antibody test, but they still need a microchip and the certificate must show their age. Cats from Australia and dogs and cats from Malaysia need extra Hendra or Nipah virus certificates.
Common mistakes
- A microchip number that does not match the certificate or cannot be read. The pet stays in quarantine until a new chip is implanted.
- A certificate signed only by a private vet. It must be issued or endorsed by the government, or the pet is sent back at the owner's cost.
- An antibody test taken more than 24 months before arrival, or below 0.5 IU/ml. The pet is held until a passing result is confirmed.
- Assuming all of Europe is rabies-free. France, Spain and the Netherlands, for example, were not on Korea's list when we checked.
Official source: APQA: bringing cats and dogs to Korea
Other destinations
🇪🇺 EU🇬🇧 UK🇺🇸 US🇨🇦 Canada🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇺 Australia🌺 Hawaii🇳🇿 New Zealand🇸🇬 Singapore🇹🇭 Thailand🇵🇭 Philippines🇮🇩 Indonesia & Bali🇲🇽 Mexico🇨🇷 Costa Rica🇮🇪 Ireland🇭🇰 Hong Kong🇦🇪 UAE🇨🇳 China🇮🇳 India
Frequently asked questions
Does my dog need quarantine in South Korea?
Not if the microchip, certificate and any required antibody test are in order; the pet is released on the day of arrival. Otherwise it is held at the owner's cost, on average about 10 days.
Does a dog from the US need a rabies titer test for Korea?
Yes. The mainland US is not on Korea's rabies-free list, so dogs and cats 90 days or older need a result of 0.5 IU/ml or more from a sample taken within 24 months before arrival. Hawaii is on the list.
Is there a waiting period after the titer test for Korea?
Korea's quarantine agency does not state one, unlike Japan or the EU. The sample must be taken within 24 months before arrival and the result must pass.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Korea?
Korea's quarantine agency leaves this to the airline, so check your airline's cabin rules.
Sources
- APQA: bringing cats and dogs to Korea
- APQA: dog and cat import quarantine (Korean)
- USDA APHIS: pet travel from the US to Korea
Rules change. Always confirm with the official source above and your vet before you travel or change a vaccine plan.