KR
South Korea
✈️
FR
France
Pet Transport South Korea to France: 2026 Guide
20-22 weeks
Typical preparation
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Official rules on this page checked
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
Step by step
The South Korea to France process
1
4-5 months before travel
Blood draw for FAVN titre test. 3-month wait starts from sampling date.
Responsible: Official vet and EU-approved laboratory
2
4-6 weeks before travel
Book cargo from ICN to CDG on Korean Air or Air France direct.
Responsible: Owner or agent
3
Within 10 days of travel
Obtain APQA-endorsed EU-format health certificate within 10 days of travel.
Responsible: APQA-registered vet plus APQA endorsement
4
Travel day
Depart ICN. French customs inspects at Paris CDG on arrival.
Responsible: Airline cargo and French customs
Which France rules depend on a pet coming from South Korea?
The EU sorts non-EU countries into groups, and South Korea falls in “Non-listed third countries and territories”.
Rabies antibody titration test required: sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after primary vaccination and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued, tested in an EU-designated laboratory, result at least 0.5 IU/ml. The 90-day wait does not apply to re-entry of an EU-resident pet whose passport documents a favourable test done before leaving the EU. Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Rabies titre test: Where required (non-listed origins), the test must measure a level of neutralising antibody to rabies virus in serum of at least 0.5 IU/ml, done in a designated laboratory. Neither the EC page nor 2026/131 (which refers to point 1 of Annex XXI to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692) names a test method such as FAVN or RFFIT. Applies to dogs and cats from non-listed third countries.
Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: The test must be done by an official laboratory designated under Article 37 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, or by a laboratory in a third country listed in Annex VIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 designated in line with Article 37(4) and (5) of that Regulation; only laboratories specifically accredited for the method may do it, so the laboratory need not be in the EU. The EC publishes the lists of designated laboratories. Applies to dogs and cats from non-listed third countries.
Designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: The blood sample must be taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the primary vaccination (or within a current valid vaccination series) and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued. Applies to dogs and cats from non-listed third countries.
Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering France, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our France guide.
What does South Korea require before your pet leaves?
- Export permit: Some destination countries require separate prior permission before a pet travels; MAFRA names the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan among them. MAFRA says each country's quarantine conditions can be checked in the 'quarantine conditions by exporting country' section of the agency's website. The MAFRA release describes no Korean export permit beyond APQA's animal quarantine certificate. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Korea.
반려동물과 함께하는 해외여행, 출국·입국할 때 '검역'은 필수! (posted 26 June 2025, embargo 27 June 2025 morning edition), checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: For pets leaving Korea, the owner gets a health certificate (with the vaccinations the destination requires) from a local veterinary clinic, books a date in APQA's export pet quarantine booking system, and visits the APQA office with the pet and documents to receive the animal quarantine certificate (MAFRA press release posted 26 June 2025, embargoed for the 27 June 2025 morning papers). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Korea.
반려동물과 함께하는 해외여행, 출국·입국할 때 '검역'은 필수! (posted 26 June 2025, embargo 27 June 2025 morning edition), checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: The pet must be brought in person, as the microchip number is checked against the documents. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Korea.
반려동물과 함께하는 해외여행, 출국·입국할 때 '검역'은 필수! (posted 26 June 2025, embargo 27 June 2025 morning edition), checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: An APQA quarantine officer at the airport or seaport office issues the export quarantine certificate after a document check and clinical examination; the owner brings the pet and the documents (vaccination and health certificates) the destination requires. The fee is KRW 10,000 per case. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Korea.
입·출국 시 (dogs and cats on departure and arrival), checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: Preparation for travel abroad with a pet starts with checking the quarantine conditions set by the destination country (MAFRA press release posted 26 June 2025, embargoed for the 27 June 2025 morning papers); some destinations require prior permission (see export_permit). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Korea.
반려동물과 함께하는 해외여행, 출국·입국할 때 '검역'은 필수! (posted 26 June 2025, embargo 27 June 2025 morning edition), checked 2 October 2026
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo ICN to CDG (Korean Air or Air France direct): EUR 800-1,800 depending on crate size |
| 2 | Total typical range: EUR 1,200-2,700 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ South Korea is not EU-listed: FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date are mandatory. Start 5+ months before travel.
⚠ France Category 1 breed ban covers Pit Bull type dogs without LOF or FCI pedigree. Confirm breed status before starting.
⚠ Korean Air and Air France both offer direct ICN-CDG service.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Korean Air Cargo
Korean Air operates direct from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Paris CDG. Korean Air Cargo accepts live animals on this route.
Air France Cargo
Air France operates ICN to Paris CDG direct. Air France Cargo has established live animal handling at CDG.
Asiana Airlines Cargo via hub
Asiana Airlines connects ICN to European hubs with onward connections to Paris CDG.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. South Korea is not on the EU’s listed countries schedule. The FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date are mandatory. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
Yes. Korean Air Cargo operates direct from ICN to CDG and accepts live animals. Air France Cargo also flies this route direct. Book 4-6 weeks ahead and confirm live animal acceptance on your specific flights.
France’s Category 1 covers Pit Bull type dogs without official LOF or FCI breed registration. These cannot be imported. Category 2 (Rottweiler, American Staffordshire with pedigree) can enter with restrictions. Confirm your breed status before starting.
Ready to book
South Korea to France?
South Korea to France?
Get a free quote →
No commitment. We reply within one business day.
Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations