Pet Transport Mexico to South Korea: 2026 Guide
Planning a pet relocation from Mexico to South Korea is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Allow about 16-20 weeks; the requirements are detailed but predictable once mapped out. Plan for 10 days of quarantine on arrival. The guide below …
The Mexico 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: Accredited Mexican vet
Responsible: Accredited Mexican vet
Responsible: Mexican vet, approved laboratory
Responsible: Pet transport agent
Responsible: SENASICA-registered vet
Responsible: QIAS facility, Incheon International Airport
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
Mexico is not rabies-free; QIAS quarantine on arrival at Incheon is unavoidable.
Health certificate must be in Korean QIAS format, not EU format.
SENASICA endorsement can take up to a week; plan the health certificate appointment accordingly.
Korean breed restrictions apply; confirm your dog's breed is permitted.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
How South Korea handles incoming pets
What experienced owners do
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.
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.