Lead time needed
16-20 weeks
Quarantine
10 days
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Home/Routes/Malaysia to South Korea
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Pet Transport Malaysia to South Korea: 2026 Guide

Getting a pet from Malaysia to South Korea is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This route takes some organising, and roughly 16-20 weeks of preparation is about right. Plan for 10 days of quarantine on arrival. Start with the step by …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Malaysia to South Korea typically takes around 16-20 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Malaysia 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.

1
Start of process
Microchip implanted

Responsible: DVS-registered vet

2
After microchip
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: DVS-registered vet

3
30+ days after vaccination
FAVN titre test blood draw

Responsible: Malaysian vet, approved laboratory

4
Before confirming travel date
QIAS advance notification submitted

Responsible: Pet transport agent

5
Within 10 days of travel
DVS health certificate and export permit

Responsible: DVS-registered vet

6
On arrival
QIAS quarantine on arrival at Incheon (5-10 days)

Responsible: QIAS Incheon facility

Requirements

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.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required (Malaysia is not rabies-free); 0.5 IU/ml minimum from …
Quarantine
QIAS inspection and quarantine at Incheon: 5-10 days for pets from …
Import permit
Advance QIAS notification required before arrival
Health certificate
Korean QIAS-format health certificate, DVS-endorsed
Export permit
DVS export permit required
Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test: USD 80-150
DVS certificate and export permit: USD 80-180
Cargo KUL to ICN: USD 600-1,500
QIAS quarantine facility fee: approximately KRW 150,000-400,000
IATA crate: USD 80-350

Critical points

Malaysia is not classified as rabies-free by QIAS South Korea; quarantine on arrival is unavoidable.

AirAsia does not carry live animals in cargo on this route; use Korean Air or Malaysia Airlines.

Health certificate must be in the Korean QIAS format, not the EU format; use a vet familiar with this.

Advance QIAS notification must be submitted before final travel arrangements are locked in.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Korean Air Cargo
KUL to ICN direct and via connections; experienced with QIAS documentation from Southeast …
Cargo Only
Malaysia Airlines
KUL to ICN via MAS Cargo; well-established Korea service from Kuala Lumpur
Cargo Only
AirAsia
KUL to ICN passenger route operated, but AirAsia does not carry live animals in cargo on …
Cargo Only

The rules for bringing a pet into South Korea

South Korea asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

How to keep this move on track

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.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

FAQ

Common questions

QIAS does allow owner visits during the quarantine period, but advance arrangement is required. Contact the Incheon QIAS office directly or through your transport agent to confirm visiting procedures and times. Do not assume you can just turn up at the facility.
Yes. For pets from non-rabies-free countries including Malaysia, the minimum quarantine period at QIAS is 5 days. This is the shortest possible duration and applies only when all documentation is in perfect order. The quarantine can extend to 10 days if QIAS has questions about any of the documentation.
Labrador Retrievers are not on South Korea’s restricted breed list. The restrictions tend to apply to certain bully-type, fighting-type, or large aggressive guard breeds. Confirm your specific breed against the current QIAS breed list if there is any uncertainty.
QIAS is South Korea’s Quarantine Inspection and Animal Statistics authority. AQS (Animal Quarantine Service) is Japan’s equivalent. They are separate national authorities with different rules, requirements, and breed lists. South Korea and Japan are neighbouring countries but have distinct pet import requirements.
If your cat’s titre test was satisfactory and the vaccination record shows no gap in coverage since the test, you may not need a new titre test. However, confirm this with QIAS requirements and your transport agent. If there has been any lapse in vaccination or if the original titre test result documentation is incomplete, a new test provides the cleanest path to entry.
Airline guides
  • Korean Air Cargo
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • AirAsia
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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MY KRMalaysia to South Korea
International pet transport route
Lead time16-20 weeks
Quarantine10 days
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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