The journey from Ireland to South Korea for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. This is one of the more straightforward routes, and roughly 3-6 weeks is usually enough. Pets with correct …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Ireland 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.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, step by step
Every step must be completed in sequence. Starting early is critical: a missed deadline can add months.
1
Most Irish pets already microchipped by law. Verify vaccination is in date.
Confirm microchip and rabies vaccination are current
Responsible: Your vet
2
At least 5 days before arrival in South Korea.
Submit advance APQA notification at Incheon
Responsible: You or agent
3
2-4 weeks before travel.
Book cargo flight Dublin-ICN (via hub)
Responsible: You or agent
4
Within 10 days of travel. Book DAFM official vet in advance.
Obtain DAFM-endorsed health certificate
Responsible: DAFM-registered vet
5
3-4 hours before departure for cargo.
Cargo check-in Dublin. APQA inspection at Incheon on arrival.
Responsible: You + airline + APQA
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter South Korea
Every item below must be completed and verified. We manage and cross-check each one.
Entry into South Korea
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785 15-digit). Must be in place before any vaccination.
Required
Rabies vaccination
Required. Valid and current. Administered after microchipping.
Required
Rabies titre test
Not required for pets from Ireland. Ireland is an EU member state, and South Korea's APQA does not require a titre test for pets from EU countries with controlled rabies status.
Critical
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for properly documented pets from Ireland. APQA inspection at Incheon on arrival. Same-day release if documentation is complete.
Critical
Import permit
Not required for companion animals. Advance APQA notification at Incheon required at least 5 days before arrival.
Required
Health certificate
DAFM-issued official health certificate in APQA format, within 10 days of travel.
Required
Leaving Ireland
Export permit
No export permit required for personal pets from Ireland.
Required
Health certificate
Official health certificate issued by a DAFM-registered official vet, in the format APQA requires. Issued within 10 days of travel. Must confirm microchip, current rabies vaccination, and health status.
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees DUB-ICN via hub
IATA-compliant crate
DAFM health certificate fees
APQA inspection fee at Incheon
Agent fee (optional)
Critical points
Ireland has no direct Dublin-Seoul flight. All routings involve at least one hub stop. Confirm live animal handling procedures at your transit hub.
APQA advance notification must be submitted at least 5 days before arrival. Don't leave this until the last minute.
Health certificate must be in the format APQA accepts and issued within 10 days of 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 live animal cargo correctly.
AE
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates Dublin (DUB) to international hubs connecting onward to Seoul. Cargo handling via Aer Lingus Cargo and codeshare partners. Pet cargo via connecting flights.
Cargo Only
EM
Emirates
Via Dubai DXB to Seoul Incheon ICN. Emirates SkyCargo. Temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
QA
Qatar Airways
Via Doha DOH to ICN. Qatar Airways Cargo. Good animal handling. Seasonal brachycephalic restrictions.
Cargo Only
LU
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt FRA to ICN. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round.
Cargo Only
KO
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo from Dublin via hub connections to Incheon. APQA familiarity at ICN.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into South Korea
South Korea keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
How to keep this move on track
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions
No. South Korea’s APQA does not require a titre test for pets from EU member states, including Ireland. This removes the need for the 6-month pre-travel waiting period that applies to pets from many non-EU countries.
No routine quarantine for properly documented pets from Ireland. APQA conducts a documentary inspection at Incheon International Airport on arrival. With complete paperwork, your pet is typically released the same day.
3-6 weeks if your pet’s microchip and vaccinations are already current. The main timing constraint is the DAFM health certificate, which must be issued within 10 days of travel. Book the DAFM vet appointment with that window in mind.
The APQA quarantine station at Incheon must be notified at least 5 days before your pet arrives in South Korea. Your cargo agent typically handles this, but confirm it’s been submitted before travel day.
No direct Dublin-Seoul service exists for pet cargo. Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Lufthansa via Frankfurt are the most commonly used routing options. Confirm live animal acceptance and transit procedures at the hub before booking.
Move your pet to South Korea.
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