Getting a pet from South Korea to Italy is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Set aside roughly 20-28 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. Compliant …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to Italy
typically takes around 20-28 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.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The South Korea to Italy import process
01
Before vaccination
ISO microchip confirmed and pre-dating first rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
02
30+ days before titre test blood draw
Primary rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
03
30+ days after vaccination
FAVN titre test at EU-approved lab in South Korea
Responsible: Vet and EU-approved lab
04
2-4 weeks for results
Receive passing titre result (0.5 IU/ml or above)
Responsible: EU-approved lab
05
Three calendar months
90-day wait from passing result date
Responsible: Owner
06
Within 10 days of departure
IPPC vet issues export health certificate
Responsible: IPPC vet
07
4-6 weeks before travel
Book Korean Air or Asiana cargo space
Responsible: Owner or agent
Requirements
Italy entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip; must pre-date first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination; 21-day wait after primary course
Rabies titre test
Required. South Korea not on EU listed countries. FAVN titre test at 0.5 IU/ml from EU-approved lab. Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait from passing result.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets
Import permit
No import permit required
Health certificate
IPPC-endorsed certificate accepted by Italian Ministero della Salute
Leaving South Korea
Export requirements
Export permit
IPPC export certificate required
Health certificate
Health certificate from IPPC-registered vet (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test South Korea: USD 200-400 at EU-approved lab
IPPC health certificate: KRW 50,000-150,000
Korean Air cargo ICN to FCO: USD 900-2,200 depending on pet size
Professional relocation agent: USD 500-1,200
Critical points
South Korea is not on the EU's listed countries. The FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory regardless of South Korea's modern veterinary standards.
The 90-day wait begins only after a passing titre result is confirmed. Earlier calculation from vaccination date is a common planning error.
IPPC export health certificate format must comply with EU import requirements. Use a vet experienced in EU export documentation.
Korean Air has seasonal restrictions on brachycephalic breeds in cargo during summer. Check the restricted breed list when booking.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Korean Air
ICN (Incheon) to FCO (Rome Fiumicino) direct. Korean Air accepts pets as cargo on this route.
Mixed
Asiana Airlines
ICN to FCO and MXP (Milan Malpensa) via European connections. Cargo for pets.
Mixed
ITA Airways
FCO to ICN direct. ITA Cargo handles live animal bookings for the return journey.
Cargo Only
Italy import rules, explained
Italy asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.
Practical tips for this move
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 about this route
No. EU listed country status is a formal regulatory designation by the European Commission, not a direct reflection of a country’s veterinary quality. South Korea is not on the EU listed countries list, so the FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory.
Yes. Italy has no national breed ban. Korean Jindo dogs, Pungsan dogs, Sapsali, and all standard international breeds are permitted entry. Some local Italian municipalities may have their own rules, but there are no national breed restrictions.
The 90-day wait begins on the date the passing FAVN titre test result is recorded (0.5 IU/ml or above). It does not begin from the vaccination date or the blood draw date. This is a common planning error that pushes travel dates back.
No quarantine for compliant pets (complete titre test pathway, valid microchip, current vaccination, health certificate within 10 days). Quarantine would only apply if documentation is incomplete or the titre test pathway was not followed.
At minimum 20 to 28 weeks from starting the titre test process. Allow 6 months from beginning preparation to travel date.
Airline guides
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
ITA Airways
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.