Pet Transport South Korea to Netherlands: 2026 Guide
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
The South Korea to Netherlands 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 NVWA
Netherlands: 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. NVWA inspects at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). |
| 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 AMS (KLM or Korean Air 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.
KLM direct to Amsterdam Schiphol and the Netherlands no breed ban
KLM Cargo operates direct from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and accepts live animals on this route. Korean Air also connects ICN to AMS. Schiphol is KLM’s home hub and has established live animal handling facilities. The NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) carries out the arrival inspection for pets from non-EU countries.
The Netherlands removed its breed-specific legislation in 2008. All breeds may enter on documentation compliance alone; no breed classification is applied at the border. For South Korean families with breeds restricted in Germany or France, the Netherlands is a particularly practical EU entry point, given the direct flights from ICN to AMS.
Common questions
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