Taking your dog or cat from South Korea to New Zealand comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Budget around 38-44 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route stack up quickly. Factor in …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to New Zealand
typically takes around 38-44 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
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
Starting point for the entire sequence.
ISO microchip implanted (if not done). Must be before or same day as first vaccination.
Responsible: Your vet
2
After microchip. At least 28 days before second vaccination.
First rabies vaccination (inactivated virus)
Responsible: Your vet
3
At least 28 days after first.
Second rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet
4
Apply early. Can take several weeks to process. Do not delay.
Apply for NZSTAP import approval
Responsible: You or agent, via MPI
5
Blood drawn at least 30 days after second vaccination. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
FAVN titre test at MPI-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your vet + MPI-approved lab
6
Non-negotiable. No exemptions.
180-day wait from blood draw date
Responsible: N/A
7
Book once travel window confirmed post-wait.
Book Air New Zealand or other carrier cargo ICN-AKL
Responsible: You or agent
8
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain APQA health certificate in MPI format
Responsible: Official vet + APQA
9
Pre-book and pay quarantine facility in advance.
Travel to Auckland. 10-day MPI quarantine at approved facility.
Responsible: MPI-approved facility + you
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter New Zealand
Every item below must be completed and verified. We manage and cross-check each one.
Entry into New Zealand
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.
Required
Rabies vaccination
Two vaccinations required. Both administered after microchipping. At least 28 days apart. Must be inactivated virus type.
Required
Rabies titre test
Mandatory for all countries. FAVN test at an MPI-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after the second vaccination. 180-day wait from blood draw date before entry. No exemptions.
Critical
Quarantine
Mandatory. Minimum 10 days at an MPI-approved quarantine facility at owner's expense. This is in addition to the 180-day wait which happens before travel.
Critical
Import permit
Required. NZSTAP (New Zealand Standard Treatment and Approval Process) approval needed before travel. Apply via Biosecurity New Zealand.
Required
Health certificate
APQA-issued health certificate in MPI format, 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-issued health certificate in NZ MPI format, within 10 days of travel. Must confirm microchip, two rabies vaccinations, titre test result, and health status.
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees ICN-AKL
IATA-compliant crate
FAVN titre test fees
MPI NZSTAP application fee
MPI 10-day quarantine facility fees (paid by owner)
APQA health certificate fees
Agent fee (strongly recommended for NZ complexity)
Critical points
New Zealand requires a titre test and 180-day wait for ALL countries without exception. There is no fast-track entry.
10-day quarantine is mandatory on arrival, even after the 180-day pre-travel wait.
Apply for NZSTAP approval early, processing takes time and your pet can't travel without it.
MPI requirements are strict and enforced. An IPATA-registered agent with NZ experience is strongly recommended.
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.
AI
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand operates ICN-AKL via connections. Air New Zealand Cargo handles live animal imports. Familiar with MPI quarantine requirements at Auckland.
Cargo Only
KO
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo from Incheon to Auckland, typically via a Pacific hub. Check current routing availability and live animal cargo acceptance.
Cargo Only
QA
Qantas
Via Sydney or Melbourne. Qantas Freight handles pets to New Zealand via Australian connections.
Cargo Only
SI
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore SIN to Auckland AKL. Temperature-controlled cargo. Reliable option for ICN-AKL routing.
Cargo Only
CA
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong HKG to Auckland. Cathay Pacific Cargo. Good animal handling record.
Cargo Only
Meeting New Zealand's entry requirements
Getting a pet into New Zealand means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Advice worth following
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
Allow 38-44 weeks minimum. The 180-day wait after the titre test blood draw is the longest single step, and the 10-day mandatory quarantine on arrival in New Zealand adds time at the end. Apply for NZSTAP approval early, as that also takes processing time.
No. New Zealand requires a FAVN titre test and 180-day wait from all countries, including South Korea. There are no exemptions, fast-track options, or waivers.
Yes. A minimum 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved facility is mandatory for all pets arriving by air, regardless of origin country. This is in addition to the 180-day pre-travel wait. Quarantine must be pre-booked and fees are paid by the owner.
NZSTAP is New Zealand’s Standard Treatment and Approval Process for importing cats and dogs. You must receive NZSTAP approval from MPI before your pet can travel to New Zealand. Apply early via the MPI website at nzstap.mpi.govt.nz.
Strongly recommended. New Zealand’s import process involves NZSTAP applications, MPI documentation in a specific format, quarantine facility pre-booking, and cargo coordination. An IPATA-registered agent with verified NZ experience can prevent costly errors.
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