In short:
Preparing to move a pet from France to South Korea
typically takes around 3-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
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Overview
If you are relocating a pet from France to South Korea, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Allow around 3-6 weeks. The requirements are modest compared with stricter destinations. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival.
No rabies titre test is required. Use the timeline below to plan backwards from your travel date.
Step by step
The France to South Korea process
1
Standard for French pets.
STEP 1: Confirm microchip (15-digit ISO) is current and pre-vaccination
Responsible: French vet
2
If lapsed, vaccinate. No extended wait required for EU pets.
STEP 2: Confirm rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: French vet
3
As soon as travel date is confirmed.
STEP 3: Submit APQA advance notification (at least 5 days before arrival at ICN)
Responsible: You or agent
4
2-4 weeks before travel.
STEP 4: Book Air France or Korean Air Cargo CDG-ICN
Responsible: You or agent
5
Within 10 days of travel.
STEP 5: DDPP-endorsed health certificate in APQA format
Responsible: DDPP-authorised vet + DDPP
6
3-4 hours before departure.
STEP 6: Cargo check-in CDG. APQA inspection at ICN on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo + APQA
Checklist
South Korea: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785 15-digit). Before vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required and current. Post-microchip.
Rabies titre test
Not required for pets from EU member states. France is EU, APQA treats EU countries as low-risk. No titre test, no extended wait.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets from France. APQA inspection at Incheon on arrival.
Import permit
Not required for companion animals. Advance APQA notification at least 5 days before arrival mandatory.
Health certificate
DDPP-endorsed health certificate in APQA format. Within 10 days of travel.
No formal export permit for personal pets from France.
Health certificate
Official health certificate endorsed by DDPP in APQA format. Within 10 days of travel.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Air France or Korean Air Cargo fees CDG-ICN
2
IATA-compliant crate
3
DDPP health certificate endorsement
4
APQA inspection fee at ICN
5
Agent fee (optional)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 5-day APQA advance notification is mandatory. Missing it causes delays at Incheon.
⚠ No titre test required from France, preparation is 3-6 weeks rather than 22+.
⚠ Health certificate must be in APQA-accepted format and within 10 days of travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Air France
Air France Cargo CDG-ICN direct. National carrier of origin with strong CDG cargo. Primary recommendation.
Cargo Only
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo CDG-ICN direct. Korean national carrier with deep APQA familiarity at Incheon.
Cargo Only
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Cargo CDG-ICN. Alternative Korean carrier.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt FRA to ICN. Brachycephalic breeds restricted.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore SIN to ICN. Temperature-controlled cargo.
Cargo Only
How South Korea handles incoming pets
South Korea has a modest set of rules compared with stricter destinations. Get the essentials in place and confirm the finer points below.
What experienced owners do
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
FAQ
Common questions
No. France is an EU member state and APQA treats EU countries as low-risk. No titre test and no extended waiting period are required.
3-6 weeks if your pet’s microchip and vaccinations are current. The main timing constraints are the APQA 5-day advance notification and the DDPP-endorsed health certificate within 10 days of travel.
APQA requires the quarantine station at Seoul Incheon to be notified at least 5 days before your pet’s arrival. Your cargo agent submits this. Missing it causes inspection delays at Incheon.
No routine quarantine. APQA conducts an inspection at Incheon on arrival. With complete documentation from an EU country, your pet is typically released the same day.
Air France Cargo and Korean Air Cargo both operate direct CDG-ICN services. Air France has CDG departure familiarity; Korean Air has APQA Incheon arrival familiarity. Both are sound choices.
Airline guides
Air France
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.