Bringing a pet to South Korea

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

South Korea runs a rabies-status-based dog import system administered by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA). Dogs arriving without a compliant microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and — for rabies-infected origins — a passing rabies antibody titer test and an APQA import permit can be held at the port of entry at the owner's expense. Start paperwork months before travel and confirm your origin country's classification directly with APQA, because requirements differ by the rabies situation of the origin country.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to South Korea.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (for the US, a USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian whose certificate is endorsed by APHIS) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

South Korea does not maintain a national breed ban for pet dogs entering the country. However, individual airlines flying into Incheon or Gimpo frequently refuse to carry brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, and boxers in the cargo hold, and some restrict them entirely during summer months — check with your carrier before booking. Certain fighting-dog breeds may face additional scrutiny or airline-level bans, but APQA itself does not prohibit them.

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin government authority
Microchip registration/identification record

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~USD 30-60, rabies vaccination ~USD 20-50, government-endorsed health certificate ~USD 100-250, APQA clearance on arrival is free. No titer test or import permit applies to this tier. Confirm current prices with your vet and APQA.

Rabies-free origin dogs with a valid microchip and a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel are normally cleared at the airport without quarantine. Keep the original rabies certificate and the endorsed health certificate in hand — APQA officers check the microchip number against both.

QIA South Korea

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (for the US, a USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian whose certificate is endorsed by APHIS) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin government authority
Microchip registration/identification record

Rough budget

For most rabies-controlled countries (EU member states, UK, US, Japan, Australia, Canada, etc.) a microchip plus a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before departure is sufficient; no titer test and no import permit are required. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine, otherwise the vaccination is not recognised and the 21-day clock restarts.

QIA South Korea

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (for the US, a USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian whose certificate is endorsed by APHIS) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by APQA before travel
Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity
FAVN/rabies antibody titer test report from an APQA-recognised laboratory showing ≥0.5 IU/ml
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin government authority
Microchip registration/identification record

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~USD 30-60, rabies vaccination ~USD 20-50, FAVN titer test ~USD 150-350 including shipping to the reference lab, import permit fee ~USD 10-30, government-endorsed health certificate ~USD 100-250. Confirm current prices with your vet and APQA.

If the titer test is missing, the result is below 0.5 IU/ml, or the 90-day post-sampling wait has not elapsed, the dog will be quarantined at an APQA facility at the owner's expense until the requirement is met — this can run to several weeks. Apply for the APQA import permit well in advance; processing takes time and the permit must be presented at the port of entry.

QIA South Korea

Frequently asked questions

For a rabies-controlled origin (US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia), allow at least 2-3 months: microchip first, then rabies vaccination, then a 21-day wait, then the health certificate within 10 days of arrival. For a rabies-infected origin (Thailand, Russia, most of Africa and South Asia), allow 6-8 months minimum, because the FAVN titer test must be drawn after vaccination and you must then wait 90 days from the sampling date before the dog can enter.

Only if your dog is arriving from a country APQA classifies as rabies-infected. Dogs from rabies-free and rabies-controlled countries do not need a titer test. If required, the test must show at least 0.5 IU/ml from an APQA-recognised laboratory, and the dog must wait 90 days from the blood draw before entering. The result is valid for 2 years.

If all requirements are met — valid microchip, in-date rabies vaccination, titer test where required, APQA import permit where required, and a health certificate issued within 10 days — there is no quarantine and the dog is cleared at the airport. If any requirement is missing or the titer is below 0.5 IU/ml, the dog is held at an APQA quarantine facility at the owner's expense until the requirement is satisfied, which can mean several weeks.

APQA treats up to 5 dogs per traveller as a non-commercial import. Bringing 6 or more in a single movement shifts the shipment into commercial territory, which requires additional import licensing and veterinary inspection. If you are moving a large number of animals, contact APQA directly before booking anything.

No. South Korea does not exempt emotional-support animals or service dogs from the standard import rules — the microchip, rabies vaccination, titer test (if applicable), import permit (if applicable), and health certificate requirements all still apply. Airlines may allow a service dog in the cabin, but that is a carrier policy and does not change APQA's entry conditions.

APQA will not recognise the vaccination. The microchip must be implanted before — or at the same time as — the rabies vaccine. If the chip went in afterwards, the dog is treated as unvaccinated, the 21-day wait restarts from a new vaccination given after the chip, and for rabies-infected origins the titer test and 90-day wait also restart. This is one of the most common reasons dogs get held at Incheon.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) issues the import permit, and it is required only for dogs arriving from rabies-infected countries. Apply through the APQA portal at https://www.qia.go.kr before travel. The permit must be presented at the port of entry along with the rabies certificate, titer test report, and endorsed health certificate.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to South Korea.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired
Official health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival and endorsed by a government veterinarian
Microchip implantation certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. No import permit or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For cats from rabies-free countries: no rabies titer test or import permit is required, and quarantine is not required if documents are in order. The cat must be at least 12 weeks old at rabies vaccination, and the vaccine must be valid for at least 21 days before travel.

QIA South Korea

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired
Official health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival and endorsed by a government veterinarian
Microchip implantation certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. No import permit or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For cats from low-risk rabies countries: no rabies titer test or import permit is required, and quarantine is not required if documents are in order. The cat must be at least 12 weeks old at rabies vaccination, and the vaccine must be valid for at least 21 days before travel.

QIA South Korea

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

7 days

Quarantine required if the rabies titer test is not performed or if the result is below 0.5 IU/ml. Quarantine is at the owner's expense at a designated facility.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by South Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired
FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from a WOAH-approved laboratory
Official health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival and endorsed by a government veterinarian
Microchip implantation certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$10–50, quarantine (if required) ~$50–100 per day. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For cats from high-risk rabies countries: a rabies titer test and an import permit are required. If the titer test is not done or fails, a 7-day quarantine is mandatory. The titer test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The import permit must be applied for at least 30 days before arrival.

QIA South Korea

Frequently asked questions

South Korea allows up to 5 pets (cats or dogs) per person for non-commercial import. If you bring more than 5, you need a commercial import permit and must comply with stricter regulations, including possible quarantine and additional health certifications.

No. South Korea does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import requirements. All cats, regardless of their role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit rules. Airlines may have separate policies for cabin travel, but the country's import rules apply equally.

A rabies titer test (FAVN) is required only for cats originating from high-risk rabies countries. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml. If not done or if the result is below this threshold, a 7-day quarantine is required.

The official health certificate must be issued within 10 days before arrival in South Korea. It must be endorsed by a government veterinarian from the origin country.

Yes, all cats entering South Korea must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If the cat was vaccinated against rabies before microchipping, the vaccination is not considered valid for import purposes; the microchip must be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination.

If your cat does not meet the requirements (e.g., missing titer test, invalid vaccination), it may be subject to quarantine for up to 7 days at your expense, or it could be denied entry and returned to the origin country at your cost. It is crucial to verify all documents before travel.

An import permit is required only for cats from high-risk rabies countries. For cats from low-risk or rabies-free countries, no import permit is needed. The permit must be obtained from South Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) at least 30 days before arrival.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to South Korea.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival and no more than 1 year before arrival
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or a compatible reader available at arrival)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and APQA.

South Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) requires a rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate for ferrets. Ferrets are not subject to the titer test or quarantine rules applied to dogs and cats from high-risk countries. Minimum age is 3 months.

QIA South Korea

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival and no more than 1 year before arrival
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or a compatible reader available at arrival)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and APQA.

South Korea applies the same ferret import requirements to rabies-free and low-risk countries: rabies vaccination and a health certificate only. No titer test or quarantine is imposed.

QIA South Korea

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

No quarantine if a valid FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) and import permit are presented. If the titer test is missing or fails, quarantine is 90 days at a designated facility at the owner's expense.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival and no more than 1 year before arrival
FAVN rabies titer test result (titer ≥0.5 IU/ml, blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination)
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Import permit issued by South Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA)
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or a compatible reader available at arrival)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Quarantine, if triggered, is at the owner's expense. Confirm current prices with a local vet and APQA.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries require a FAVN titer test and an APQA import permit. The 90-day wait after blood sampling applies. Ferrets are not eligible for the simplified pet travel scheme available to dogs and cats from some countries.

QIA South Korea

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Ferrets must have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before arrival, and an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries also need a FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) and an APQA import permit. Ferrets are not eligible for the simplified pet travel scheme available to dogs and cats from some countries.

South Korea generally allows up to 5 pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) per person for non-commercial import. More than 5 may be treated as a commercial shipment and require additional permits and inspections. Confirm with APQA before travelling with multiple ferrets.

Only if you are travelling from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, the Middle East). The FAVN blood sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination, the titer must be ≥0.5 IU/ml, and you must wait 90 days from the blood draw before entering South Korea. Low-risk and rabies-free origins do not require a titer test.

Ferrets from low-risk or rabies-free countries are not quarantined. Ferrets from high-risk countries with a valid FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) and an APQA import permit are also not quarantined. If the titer test is missing or fails, quarantine is 90 days at a designated facility at the owner's expense.

No. South Korea does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit requirements.

Required: a rabies vaccination certificate (vaccination at least 21 days and no more than 1 year before arrival), an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, and proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip. From a high-risk country, also a FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) and an APQA import permit.

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250 (high-risk origins only), APQA import permit ~$50-100 (high-risk origins only). Quarantine, if triggered, is at the owner's expense. Confirm current prices with your vet and APQA.

Good to know

South Korea classifies origin countries as rabies-free, rabies-controlled, or rabies-infected, applying progressively stricter requirements down that list. Every dog must have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before any rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must match across all documents. APQA is the competent authority; the official portal is https://www.qia.go.kr.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to South Korea, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).