International pet relocation

Pet Transport from South Korea to New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most demanding pet import destinations in the world. Every country, without exception, must pass through the same protocol: two rabies vaccinations, a FAVN titre test, a 180-day wait from blood …

Lead time needed38-44 weeks

Quarantine stayNot required

Route complexityVery High

Airlines5 on this route

Service levelFully managed

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.

Starting point for the entire sequence.

ISO microchip implanted (if not done). Must be before or same day as first vaccination.

Responsible: Your vet

After microchip. At least 28 days before second vaccination.

First rabies vaccination (inactivated virus)

Responsible: Your vet

At least 28 days after first.

Second rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your vet

Apply early. Can take several weeks to process. Do not delay.

Apply for NZSTAP import approval

Responsible: You or agent, via MPI

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

Non-negotiable. No exemptions.

180-day wait from blood draw date

Responsible: N/A

Book once travel window confirmed post-wait.

Book Air New Zealand or other carrier cargo ICN-AKL

Responsible: You or agent

Within 10 days of travel.

Obtain APQA health certificate in MPI format

Responsible: Official vet + APQA

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.

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

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

Qantas

Via Sydney or Melbourne. Qantas Freight handles pets to New Zealand via Australian connections.

Cargo Only

Singapore Airlines

Via Singapore SIN to Auckland AKL. Temperature-controlled cargo. Reliable option for ICN-AKL routing.

Cargo Only

Cathay Pacific

Via Hong Kong HKG to Auckland. Cathay Pacific Cargo. Good animal handling record.

Cargo Only

New Zealand's NZSTAP protocol: what South Korea triggers

New Zealand’s Biosecurity team treats every origin country equally when it comes to the core requirements. Two vaccinations, titre test, 180-day wait, 10-day quarantine. South Korea gets no special treatment here.

The starting point is an ISO microchip, implanted before or on the same day as the first vaccination. Then two inactivated-virus rabies vaccinations at least 28 days apart. Then the FAVN titre test, blood drawn at a minimum of 30 days after the second vaccination, at an MPI-approved laboratory. Then the 180-day wait from that blood draw date.

Apply for NZSTAP import approval from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) early in this process. Processing takes time and you cannot travel without it.

Flights and cargo options from Seoul to Auckland

Incheon to Auckland is a long haul with no direct cargo flight available, so all routings involve at least one transit. Air New Zealand is the obvious airline to contact first, given they’re the receiving national carrier. Singapore Airlines via Singapore and Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong are both capable alternatives with temperature-controlled cargo holds.

Korean Air Cargo has a direct equity interest in this corridor and is worth consulting. Given the complexity of MPI requirements, a pet transport agent with specific New Zealand experience is strongly recommended for managing the cargo booking alongside the paperwork.

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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Pet Transport from South Korea to New Zealand

The import process, step by step

What your pet needs to enter New Zealand

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Carriers approved for this route

New Zealand's NZSTAP protocol: what South Korea triggers

Flights and cargo options from Seoul to Auckland

Common questions

Move your petto New Zealand.

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Move your pet
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