Pet Transport from Iceland to South Korea
Shipping a dog or cat from Iceland to South Korea rewards owners who start planning early. Around 5-8 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 need a rabies titre …
The Iceland to South Korea import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Icelandic vet
Responsible: Icelandic vet
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: APQA
What your pet needs to enter South Korea
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Rabies-free status removes the titre test, not the vaccination itself. A common mistake is assuming Iceland's classification means no vaccination is needed at all; APQA still wants a current rabies vaccination on the certificate.
APQA checks the microchip number on the certificate against the chip in the pet at Incheon. Any mismatch, even a transcription error, is exactly the kind of thing that turns a same-day release into an extended one.
No airline flies Keflavik direct to Seoul. Every routing goes through a European hub, adding a second cargo booking to coordinate.
APQA's rabies-free country list is reviewed when outbreaks are reported elsewhere. Confirm Iceland's current status directly with APQA close to your travel date rather than relying on this or any other checklist alone.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Meeting South Korea's entry requirements
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.