Bringing your dog or cat from the U.S. to South Korea is overseen by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA). Because rabies still turns up occasionally in wildlife near the DMZ, Korea maintains a real quarantine framework — but it's built around immediate release for pets that arrive with everything correct. Unlike Japan or Singapore, there's no mandatory waiting period once your pet's titer test passes. This guide covers the current 2026 requirements, a step-by-step timeline, and a genuinely useful exemption for younger pets. For broader relocation help, see our pet travel experts.

Your South Korea Pet Relocation Timeline

1. 1
   Check This First

   Confirm Your Pet's Age at Arrival, Not Today

   What matters is your pet's age on the planned arrival date, not the date you start preparing. Pets under 90 days old at arrival skip both the rabies vaccination and the titer test entirely — they just need a microchip and health certificate, with same-day release once the chip is confirmed. A puppy or kitten that's 85 days old when you start preparing can easily be 95 days old by arrival, pulling the case into the full rule set partway through — calculate carefully.

2. 2
   Day 1 (Pets 90+ Days)

   Microchip First

   Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip before the rabies vaccination. If your pet has a non-ISO chip, bring a compatible scanner or plan for a second, compliant chip to be implanted.

3. 3
   30+ Days Before the Titer Draw

   Rabies Vaccination

   Administered after the microchip. The titer blood sample must be collected at least 30 days after this vaccination.

4. 4
   Within 24 Months of Arrival

   Rabies Titer Test

   Blood is drawn and tested at an APQA-approved laboratory (FAVN tests are recommended, since they're accepted broadly). A result of 0.5 IU/mL or higher is required, valid for 24 months from the draw date. Once you have a passing result, there's no additional waiting period before travel.

5. 5
   Within 30 Days of Export

   USDA-Endorsed Health Certificate

   A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues the certificate, which must include the vaccine manufacturer, batch number, and expiration date, plus the titer result if applicable. This 30-day window is one of the more generous certificate timeframes in the region — you don't need to rush your vet visit right up against your flight date.

6. 6
   Before You Book

   Confirm Airline & Destination

   Korean Air and Asiana both have established pet cargo procedures. If you're headed to Jeju Island rather than the mainland, confirm whether any additional steps apply for that specific route.

7. 7
   Arrival in South Korea

   APQA Inspection at Incheon or Gimhae

   Officers scan the microchip and verify it matches your documents, then check the titer result if applicable. Pets meeting every requirement are typically released the same day; a missing microchip match or titer means retention at the quarantine station until resolved, entirely at the owner's expense — a missing health certificate means refused entry outright, with no quarantine option to fall back on.

Requirements Checklist

Pets 90 Days or Older

• ISO 11784/11785 MicrochipImplanted before the rabies vaccine.
• Current Rabies VaccinationAt least 30 days before the titer blood draw.
• Rabies Titer Test (≥0.5 IU/mL)Drawn within 24 months of arrival. No waiting period after a passing result.
• USDA-Endorsed Health CertificateIssued within 30 days of export.

Pets Under 90 Days Old

• Microchip + Health Certificate OnlyNo rabies vaccination or titer test required. Same-day release once the microchip is confirmed.

Climate & Travel Tips

• Seasonal timing: South Korea has hot, humid summers and cold winters — spring or fall travel reduces heat and cold stress for your pet.
• Documentation language: Keep vaccination records and health certificates current, in English (Korean translation isn't required but can help smooth inspection).
• Airlines: Korean Air and Asiana both have established pet cargo procedures and are worth checking first.

Military PCS to South Korea

Relocating to South Korea on military orders follows the same APQA process above, with its own considerations for flight coordination and base-specific logistics. See our dedicated PCS pet move services to Korea for detailed import rules, quarantine protocols, and flight coordination specific to military moves.

Living in South Korea With Pets

South Korea is increasingly pet-friendly, with many parks, cafes, and accommodations welcoming pets. A few things worth planning for:

• Pet-friendly housing: Confirm your accommodation allows pets and offers outdoor space or proximity to parks.
• Veterinary access: Research local clinics ahead of time for post-arrival checkups.
• Registration: All dogs must be registered with local authorities within 30 days of arrival.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions