A move from Netherlands to South Korea with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect about 3-6 weeks, with a short and predictable checklist. There is no routine quarantine, …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Netherlands 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
Check at any vet visit. Already in place for most Dutch pets.
Confirm microchip is ISO 11784/11785 compliant
Responsible: Your vet
2
Must be within manufacturer validity period.
Ensure rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Your vet
3
At least 5 days before arrival in South Korea.
Submit advance notification to APQA at Incheon
Responsible: You or your transport agent
4
2-4 weeks before travel.
Book KLM or Korean Air Cargo AMS-ICN
Responsible: You or your agent
5
Within 10 days of travel. Book NVWA appointment in advance.
Obtain NVWA-endorsed health certificate
Responsible: NVWA-authorised vet + NVWA
6
Cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure.
Travel day: cargo check-in AMS. APQA inspection at ICN on arrival.
Responsible: You + KLM Cargo + 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 rabies vaccination, administered after microchipping.
Required
Rabies titre test
Not required for dogs and cats from EU member states. South Korea's APQA does not require a titre test for pets from EU countries with controlled rabies status. This significantly reduces the preparation timeline.
Critical
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for properly documented pets from the Netherlands. APQA inspection at Incheon International Airport on arrival.
Critical
Import permit
Not required for companion dogs and cats. Advance notification to APQA at Incheon Airport required at least 5 days before arrival.
Required
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate in format acceptable to APQA, issued within 10 days of travel. NVWA endorsement required.
Required
Leaving Netherlands
Export permit
No export permit required for personal pets from the Netherlands.
Required
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate issued by an NVWA-authorised veterinarian. Must be in the format required by South Korea. Issued within 10 days of travel. NVWA endorsement needed for non-EU destinations.
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
KLM or Korean Air Cargo fees AMS-ICN
IATA-compliant travel crate
Veterinary fees and NVWA-endorsed health certificate
APQA inspection fee at Incheon
Pet transport agent fee (optional)
Critical points
Advance APQA notification at least 5 days before arrival is mandatory. Missing this causes delays to your pet's release.
Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Plan the NVWA endorsement appointment accordingly.
APQA inspects all documentation at Incheon on arrival. Incomplete paperwork means delayed release.
Always verify current APQA requirements directly before 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.
KL
KLM
KLM operates direct AMS-ICN. KLM Cargo Live Animals. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo hold. Temperature-controlled freight. This is the most efficient routing for this country pair.
Cargo Only
KO
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo AMS-ICN. Direct service with good animal handling record. Experienced with APQA Korean import requirements.
Cargo Only
AS
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines Cargo from Amsterdam to Incheon. May involve connection. Check current routing availability.
Cargo Only
LU
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt FRA. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Good cargo infrastructure.
Cargo Only
SI
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore SIN to ICN. Longer routing but reliable temperature-controlled cargo service.
Cargo Only
What South Korea requires
The requirements for South Korea are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. South Korea’s APQA does not require a rabies titre test for pets from EU member states, including the Netherlands. This removes the 6-month waiting period that applies to pets from many non-EU countries.
No routine quarantine for properly documented pets from the Netherlands. APQA conducts an inspection at Incheon on arrival. If all documentation is in order, your pet is released the same day.
Before your pet arrives in South Korea, the APQA quarantine station at Incheon must be notified at least 5 days in advance. This is a simple administrative step that your cargo agent can usually handle. Skipping it or submitting late causes delays when your pet arrives.
Typically 3-6 weeks if your pet’s microchip and vaccinations are current. The main time variable is arranging the NVWA-endorsed health certificate, which needs to be issued within 10 days of travel.
KLM and Korean Air both operate direct AMS-ICN services and are the two primary options. KLM Cargo Live Animals has strong familiarity with both the Amsterdam departure processes and APQA requirements at Incheon. Korean Air Cargo is equally capable on the same direct routing.
Move your pet to South Korea.
Get a free, fully itemised quote. We map your pet's complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.