Pet Transport from South Korea to Mexico: 2026 Guide
South Korea to Mexico is one of the cleaner long-haul pet transport routes: no advance import permit is required on the Mexico side, no quarantine for healthy pets, and Korean Air operates a direct Seoul to Mexico City service with a live animal cargo …
The South Korea to Mexico import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: You or pet transport agent
Responsible: APQA officer
Responsible: Vet + APQA
Responsible: You (owner)
Responsible: SENASICA officer
What your pet needs to enter Mexico
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The health certificate is valid for only 15 days from issue for SENASICA. Time the APQA inspection and certificate issue so that the document remains valid on your Mexico arrival date. Allow no more than 10 days between issue and arrival to be safe.
SENASICA will spray the travel crate with disinfectant on arrival in Mexico and will remove all bedding and accessories. Do not put anything in the crate you want to keep. Bring collar, leash, and essentials separately.
Book cargo space with Korean Air or Aeromexico well in advance on the ICN to MEX route. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on the specific flight, not just the route.
If routing via a US hub, check whether your pet enters US customs at the hub. If it does, US CDC dog import documentation may be required. Confirm with the airline before booking.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
APQA export in South Korea: what to expect
South Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) handles all pet exports. The process is airport-based: apply to APQA at least 7 days before your desired inspection date, then attend the inspection at the APQA office within Seoul Incheon Airport’s cargo zone on the day.
The APQA officer checks the ISO microchip (must be readable by scanner), reviews the rabies vaccination record, and confirms the pet appears healthy and free of signs of infectious disease. The export health certificate is issued at the end of the inspection, typically 1 to 2 hours after you arrive.
The health certificate from your Korean vet should be prepared in advance, following the format that APQA will endorse. Most international vets in Seoul and Busan are familiar with the APQA export process. If you are in a smaller city, coordinate with an APQA-experienced agent.
SENASICA at Mexico City: the arrival process
At Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport, SENASICA operates an Agriculture Health Inspection Office where all arriving pets are processed. Present: the APQA-endorsed health certificate (within 15 days of issue), the rabies vaccination certificate (within 12 months), the antiparasitic treatment record (within 6 months), and the completed FF-SENASICA-003 form.
SENASICA inspects the pet physically, confirms it appears healthy and free of ectoparasites, and sprays the travel crate with disinfectant. Bedding and accessories in the crate are removed. Clearance for a complete documentation set takes 30 to 60 minutes.
The FF-SENASICA-003 is Mexico’s official import form for companion pets. Separate versions exist for dogs and cats. Complete the correct version before arriving. SENASICA officers have copies available at the airport, but completing it in advance avoids delays.
Korean Air direct to Mexico City
Korean Air operates a direct ICN to MEX service, which is an advantage on this route. A direct flight avoids the hub complexities that affect Bangkok or other Southeast Asian origins. Korean Air Cargo has experience with live animal transport and the NRT to MEX comparable route is well established.
Confirm cargo pet acceptance on your specific flight date with Korean Air Cargo. Not every scheduled flight accepts cargo pets even on routes where Korean Air generally accepts them. Book early, confirm availability, and reconfirm closer to the travel date.