KR
South Korea
✈️
NL
Netherlands

Pet Transport South Korea to Netherlands: 2026 Guide

20-22 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
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Lead time needed
20-22 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Medium
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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In short: Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to Netherlands typically takes around 20-22 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.

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Overview

Taking your dog or cat from South Korea to Netherlands comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Expect about 20-22 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.

A rabies titre test is part of the process, and its waiting period drives the whole timeline. Everything you need, from documents to carriers, is broken down below.

Step by step

The South Korea to Netherlands process

1
5+ months before travel
Confirm ISO microchip predates rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet in South Korea

2
5+ months before travel
Verify rabies vaccination and 21-day post-primary wait.

Responsible: Vet in South Korea

3
4-5 months before travel
Blood draw for FAVN titre test. 3-month wait starts from sampling date.

Responsible: Official vet and EU-approved laboratory

4
3 months from blood draw
Wait 3 months from blood sampling date.

Responsible: N/A - mandatory waiting period

5
4-6 weeks before travel
Book cargo from ICN to AMS on KLM or Korean Air direct.

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
Within 10 days of travel
Obtain APQA-endorsed EU-format health certificate within 10 days of travel.

Responsible: APQA-registered vet plus APQA endorsement

7
Travel day
Depart ICN. NVWA inspects at Amsterdam Schiphol on arrival.

Responsible: Airline cargo and NVWA

Checklist

Netherlands: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationValid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination.
Rabies titre testRequired. 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.
QuarantineNo quarantine for compliant pets. NVWA inspects at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).
Import permitNo import permit required. APQA-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the required document.
Health certificateEU-format certificate endorsed by APQA, issued within 10 days of travel.
Leaving South Korea

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitNo formal export permit required for companion animals from South Korea. Primary departure airport: Seoul Incheon (ICN).
Health certificateOfficial 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.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1APQA certificate and endorsement: KRW 50,000-150,000 (approximately EUR 35-110)
2FAVN titre test (EU-approved laboratory): EUR 85-170
3IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed
4Cargo ICN to AMS (KLM or Korean Air direct): EUR 800-1,800 depending on crate size
5Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 150-400
6Total typical range: EUR 1,200-2,700
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ South Korea is not EU-listed: FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date are mandatory. Start 5+ months before travel.
⚠ 3-month wait runs from blood draw date, not results date.
⚠ Netherlands has no breed ban: all breeds enter on documentation compliance alone.
⚠ KLM and Korean Air both offer direct ICN-AMS service.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

KLM Cargo
KLM operates direct from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). KLM Cargo accepts live animals on this route. Schiphol is KLM's home hub.
Cargo Only
Korean Air Cargo
Korean Air connects ICN to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Korean Air Cargo handles live animal shipments on long-haul routes.
Cargo Only
Asiana Airlines Cargo via hub
Asiana Airlines connects ICN to European hubs with onward connections to Amsterdam Schiphol.
Cargo Only

What Netherlands requires

The path into Netherlands is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.

Avoiding the common mistakes

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. South Korea is not on the EU’s listed countries schedule. The FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date are mandatory. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
No. The Netherlands removed its breed-specific legislation in 2008. The NVWA carries out a documentary inspection at Schiphol on arrival, but no breed classification is applied.
Yes. KLM Cargo operates direct from ICN to AMS and accepts live animals. Korean Air also connects on this corridor. The direct service avoids a hub transfer.
KLM or Korean Air direct cargo ICN to AMS typically costs EUR 800-1,800. Add EUR 85-170 for the titre test and EUR 35-110 for the APQA certificate. Total all-in is typically EUR 1,200-2,700.
Airline guides
  • KLM Cargo
  • Korean Air Cargo
  • Asiana Airlines Cargo via hub
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →
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