Shipping a dog or cat from Denmark to South Korea rewards owners who start planning early. Around 2-6 weeks should do it, as this is an easier route to plan. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is met.
You will not …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Denmark to South Korea
typically takes around 2-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Denmark to South Korea pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
First step. Before vaccinations.
2
Rabies vaccination (and other required vaccinations)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
After microchip. Allow time for vaccination validity.
3
Submit advance notification to APQA at Incheon Airport
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
At least 5 days before arrival in South Korea.
4
Book IATA-compliant cargo flight to Incheon (ICN)
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
2-4 weeks before travel.
5
Obtain DVFA-endorsed health certificate
Responsible: DVFA-authorised veterinarian + DVFA
Within 10 days of travel. Book DVFA appointment in advance.
6
Travel day: pet travels as cargo. APQA inspection at Incheon on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo agent
Arrive at cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure. APQA inspection typically same-day.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter South Korea
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit). Must be in place before any vaccinations are administered.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Valid rabies vaccination. Must be administered after microchipping.
Rabies titre test
Not required for dogs and cats from Denmark. South Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) does not require a titre test for pets from EU member states with controlled rabies status.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats arriving from Denmark. APQA inspection at Incheon International Airport on arrival. If documentation is complete and correct, inspection is typically completed the same day.
Import permit
Not required for companion dogs and cats. Advance notification to the APQA quarantine station at Incheon Airport is required at least 5 days before arrival.
Health certificate
Required. Official veterinary health certificate endorsed by DVFA. Must be issued within 10 days of travel and must list microchip number, vaccination history, and current health status.
Export permit (Denmark)
Not required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees (varies by carrier, routing, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: microchip, vaccinations, health certificate
DVFA endorsement fee
APQA inspection fee at Incheon
Pet transport agent fee (optional but useful)
Critical points to read before you book
Advance notification to APQA at Incheon must be submitted at least 5 days before arrival. Late or missing notification can delay release of your pet.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Getting this timing right requires booking the DVFA endorsement appointment in advance.
Entry must be through Incheon International Airport for air freight. Confirm this with your cargo agent when booking.
Always confirm current APQA requirements with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency South Korea before travel.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
KOREAN AIR
Korean Air
Cargo: Korean Air Cargo handles pet transport to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Experienced with APQA documentation requirements. Temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
ASIANA
Asiana Airlines
Cargo: Asiana Airlines Cargo to Incheon. Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Good familiarity with Korean animal import requirements.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Cargo: Lufthansa Cargo via Frankfurt (FRA) to Incheon (ICN). Reliable European routing with temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
KLM
KLM
Cargo: KLM Cargo via Amsterdam (AMS) to Incheon. Temperature-controlled hold. Single hub connection.
Cargo Only
SAS
SAS
Cargo: SAS operates Scandinavian routes and can connect to Incheon via partner airlines. Check current cargo partnerships for Copenhagen-Seoul routing.
Cargo Only
SINGAPORE
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Singapore Airlines Cargo via Singapore (SIN) to Incheon. Temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
Meeting South Korea's entry requirements
Bringing a pet into South Korea is one of the simpler processes. Cover the core requirements and you should have few surprises.
Advice worth following
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
FAQ
Common questions about Denmark to South Korea pet transport
No. South Korea’s APQA does not require a rabies titre test for dogs and cats from EU member states with controlled rabies status. Denmark qualifies. This makes the preparation timeline significantly shorter than routes to Japan or Australia, where titre tests are mandatory.
No routine quarantine applies for properly documented dogs and cats from Denmark. APQA conducts an inspection at Incheon International Airport on arrival. If all documentation is complete and correct, this is typically completed the same day. Missing or incorrect documentation can result in holding your pet for further inspection.
The APQA quarantine station at Incheon must be notified at least 5 days before your pet’s arrival. This is a straightforward administrative step – your cargo agent or pet transport specialist can usually handle it as part of the booking process. Do not leave this until the last minute, as late notification can delay release of your pet.
Small pets may be allowed in cabin on some routes, but intercontinental flights from Copenhagen to Seoul typically require pets to travel as cargo. Confirm with your chosen airline whether cabin travel is an option for the specific flight.
Allow 2-6 weeks depending on how quickly your DVFA health certificate endorsement can be arranged and how far in advance you want to secure cargo space. There are no mandatory waiting periods for titre tests or import permits on this route, which makes it significantly faster than most other Asian destinations.
Airline guides
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
Lufthansa
KLM
SAS
Singapore Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.