Getting a pet from South Korea to Ireland is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This route takes some organising, and roughly 22-26 weeks of preparation is about right. Compliant pets are not held …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to Ireland
typically takes around 22-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
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
Before any vaccination.
ISO microchip implanted (if not done)
Responsible: Your vet
2
After microchip. Record all details including batch number.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet
3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after last vaccination. 2-4 weeks for results.
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your vet + EU-approved lab
4
Cannot be shortened.
3-month mandatory wait from blood draw date
Responsible: N/A
5
Once waiting period is complete.
Book cargo flight ICN to Dublin via European hub
Responsible: You or agent
6
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain APQA-endorsed EU Annex IV health certificate
Responsible: Official vet + APQA
7
3-4 hours before departure for cargo.
Cargo check-in Incheon. DAFM inspection at Dublin on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo airline + DAFM
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Ireland
Every item below must be completed and verified. We manage and cross-check each one.
Entry into Ireland
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination.
Required
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age 12 weeks. Administered after microchipping.
Required
Rabies titre test
Required. Ireland applies EU Regulation 576/2013. South Korea is a non-listed third country. FAVN rabies titre test at an EU-approved laboratory, minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after last vaccination. Mandatory 3-month waiting period from blood draw date.
Critical
Quarantine
No quarantine for fully compliant pets. DAFM Border Control Post inspection at Dublin Airport on arrival.
Critical
Import permit
Not required. EU Regulation 576/2013 conditions apply.
Required
Health certificate
EU Annex IV health certificate endorsed by APQA, issued within 10 days of travel.
Required
Leaving South Korea
Export permit
No formal export permit for personal pets. APQA issues the export health certificate.
Required
Health certificate
APQA-endorsed health certificate in EU Annex IV format (for non-listed third countries), issued within 10 days of travel. Must confirm microchip, vaccinations, titre test, and health status.
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees ICN-DUB via European hub
IATA-compliant crate
FAVN titre test laboratory fee
APQA health certificate and endorsement fees
Veterinary fees
Agent fee (recommended for documentation accuracy)
Critical points
Ireland applies full EU non-listed country protocol to South Korea. The titre test and 3-month wait are mandatory, no exceptions.
Microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. Wrong order means the vaccination doesn't count for EU purposes.
All Seoul to Dublin routings require a European hub connection. Factor transit handling time and procedures into your planning.
Always verify current DAFM and EU import requirements 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.
AE
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus does not have direct ICN-DUB cargo service. Pet cargo from Seoul routes through European hubs for connection to Dublin.
Cargo Only
LU
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt FRA to Dublin DUB. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round. Strong cargo network for European connections.
Cargo Only
KL
KLM
Via Amsterdam AMS to Dublin DUB. KLM Cargo Live Animals. Reliable European hub connection.
Cargo Only
KO
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo from ICN to European hubs, then connection to Dublin. Experienced with EU import documentation.
Cargo Only
EM
Emirates
Via Dubai DXB to Dublin DUB. Emirates SkyCargo. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Ireland
Ireland asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.
How to keep this move on track
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. Ireland applies EU Regulation 576/2013, which classifies South Korea as a non-listed country. A FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory is required, minimum 0.5 IU/ml, followed by a mandatory 3-month waiting period from the blood draw date.
No quarantine for fully compliant pets. DAFM conducts a documentary inspection at Dublin Airport Border Control Post on arrival. With all documentation correct, your pet is released the same day.
Allow 22-26 weeks minimum. The FAVN titre test (blood drawn at least 30 days post-vaccination) and the mandatory 3-month waiting period are the longest steps.
No direct Seoul-Dublin cargo route exists. Lufthansa via Frankfurt, KLM via Amsterdam, and Emirates via Dubai are the most commonly used connections. Confirm live animal transit procedures at your chosen hub before booking.
EU Annex IV is the specific veterinary certificate format required for pets entering the EU from non-listed third countries. It must be issued by an official veterinarian (authorised by APQA in South Korea) within 10 days of travel, and must include your pet’s microchip, vaccination history, titre test result, and health status.
Move your pet to Ireland.
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