Pet Transport South Korea to Germany: 2026 Guide
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
The South Korea to Germany process
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: Official vet and EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: N/A - mandatory waiting period
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: APQA-registered vet plus APQA endorsement
Responsible: Airline cargo and German customs
Germany: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Valid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. |
| Rabies titre test | Required. South Korea is not EU-listed. FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. 3-month wait from blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for compliant pets. German customs (Zoll) inspects at Frankfurt (FRA). |
| Import permit | No import permit required. APQA-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the required document. |
| Health certificate | EU-format certificate endorsed by APQA, issued within 10 days of travel. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit required for companion animals from South Korea. Primary departure airport: Seoul Incheon (ICN). |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate issued by an APQA-registered official vet and endorsed by APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency). EU-format required. Issued within 10 days of travel. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | APQA certificate and endorsement: KRW 50,000-150,000 (approximately EUR 35-110) |
| 2 | FAVN titre test (EU-approved laboratory): EUR 85-170 |
| 3 | IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed |
| 4 | Cargo ICN to FRA (Korean Air or Lufthansa direct): EUR 800-1,800 depending on crate size |
| 5 | Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 150-400 |
| 6 | Total typical range: EUR 1,200-2,700 |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
FAVN titre test, 3-month wait, and the APQA certificate from South Korea
Under EU Regulation 576/2013, South Korea is a non-listed third country. Your pet must have a FAVN titre test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory, followed by a 3-month waiting period from the blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
The sequence is fixed: ISO microchip first, then rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait, then blood drawn at an EU-approved laboratory. The 3-month clock starts on the blood draw date, not when the results arrive. APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) endorses the EU-format health certificate on the export side. An APQA-registered official vet issues it within 10 days of travel; APQA endorses it before departure. Allow five months from starting the process to departure.
Direct flights from Seoul to Frankfurt and Germany's Bundesland breed rules
Korean Air Cargo, Asiana Airlines Cargo, and Lufthansa Cargo all operate direct from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Frankfurt (FRA) and accept live animals. Three airlines offering direct ICN-FRA service gives good flexibility for scheduling. Frankfurt is Germany’s main cargo entry point for pets from Asia.
Germany bans Pit Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu at federal level. Each Bundesland then adds its own restrictions; Bavaria is the most restrictive, covering Rottweiler, American Bulldog, and a range of other breeds. The rules vary significantly from state to state. If your dog falls into any potentially restricted category, check the specific Bundesland rules for your destination city before starting the five-month preparation process.
Common questions
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