Moving a dog or cat from New Zealand to South Korea is very doable with the right preparation. Expect about 3-6 weeks, with a short and predictable checklist. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from New Zealand 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 vet visit. Most NZ pets already microchipped.
Confirm microchip and vaccinations are current
Responsible: Your vet
2
At least 5 days before arrival in South Korea.
Submit advance APQA notification to Incheon
Responsible: You or transport agent
3
2-4 weeks before travel.
Book Air New Zealand or Korean Air Cargo AKL-ICN
Responsible: You or agent
4
Within 10 days of travel. Book MPI-authorised vet appointment in advance.
Obtain MPI health certificate in APQA format
Responsible: MPI-authorised vet
5
Cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure.
Travel day: cargo check-in Auckland. APQA inspection at Incheon on arrival.
Responsible: You + Air NZ 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 and current rabies vaccination, administered after microchipping.
Required
Rabies titre test
Not required for pets from New Zealand. South Korea's APQA accepts New Zealand as a country with recognised rabies-free or low-risk status. No titre test, no extended waiting period.
Critical
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for properly documented pets from New Zealand. APQA inspection at Incheon International Airport on arrival. Release typically same day.
Critical
Import permit
Not required for companion animals. Advance APQA notification at Incheon required at least 5 days before arrival.
Required
Health certificate
MPI-issued health certificate in APQA format, within 10 days of travel. Must include microchip number, vaccination details, and current health status.
Required
Leaving New Zealand
Export permit
No export permit required for personal pets from New Zealand.
Required
Health certificate
MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) Animal Health Certificate, issued by an MPI-authorised vet within 10 days of travel. Must match APQA format requirements.
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Air New Zealand or Korean Air Cargo fees AKL-ICN
IATA-compliant crate
MPI health certificate fees
APQA inspection fee at Incheon
Agent fee (optional)
Critical points
APQA advance notification (5 days minimum) is mandatory. Late submission delays your pet's release at Incheon.
MPI health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and in the format APQA accepts.
All cargo routing from NZ to Korea requires at least one transit stop. Confirm live animal procedures at transit hubs.
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.
AI
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand operates AKL-ICN via connections. Air New Zealand Cargo handles live animals. Natural first choice for departure from Auckland.
Cargo Only
KO
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo from Auckland to Incheon via Pacific connections. Experienced with APQA requirements at ICN.
Cargo Only
QA
Qantas
Via Sydney or Melbourne to Seoul. Qantas Freight handles connections from New Zealand.
Cargo Only
SI
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore SIN to Incheon ICN. Temperature-controlled cargo. Good animal handling record.
Cargo Only
CA
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong HKG to Incheon. Cathay Pacific Cargo. Reliable pet cargo service.
Cargo Only
What South Korea requires
Bringing a pet into South Korea is one of the simpler processes. Cover the core requirements and you should have few surprises.
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 titre test for pets from New Zealand. New Zealand is treated as a low-risk origin, removing both the titre test requirement and any mandatory waiting period.
No routine quarantine applies for properly documented pets from NZ. APQA conducts an inspection at Incheon International Airport on arrival. With complete documentation, your pet is typically released the same day.
3-6 weeks if your pet’s microchip and vaccinations are already current. The primary time driver is arranging the MPI health certificate within 10 days of travel and booking cargo space.
The APQA quarantine station at Incheon must be notified at least 5 days before your pet arrives. Your cargo agent can handle this. Submitting late causes delays when your pet arrives.
Air New Zealand and Korean Air Cargo are the two primary options from Auckland, both connecting via a Pacific hub to Incheon. Book as far in advance as possible, as live animal cargo space can be limited on long-haul Pacific routes.
Move your pet to South Korea.
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