Lead time needed
22-28 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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KR
CH

Pet Transport from South Korea to Switzerland

Planning a pet relocation from South Korea to Switzerland is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Set aside roughly 22-28 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely. A …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to Switzerland typically takes around 22-28 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.
Regulations checked
Step by step

The South Korea to Switzerland import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
First step, before rabies vaccination
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Responsible: Vet in South Korea

2
After microchip. Allow 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination (pet at least 12 weeks old)

Responsible: Vet in South Korea

3
Blood drawn at least 21 days after vaccination. 90-day wait into Switzerland starts from blood draw date.
FAVN titre test at EU/FSVO-approved laboratory

Responsible: EU/FSVO-approved laboratory

4
Counted from blood draw, not result date. Cannot be shortened.
90-day waiting period from blood draw date

Responsible: Owner

5
Praziquantel product administered by a vet 24-120 hours before ARRIVAL in Switzerland. Account for total travel time from Korea when scheduling.
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

Responsible: Vet in South Korea

6
Within 10 days of departure. Certificate must include titre result, blood draw date, and tapeworm record.
APQA inspection and health certificate endorsement at ICN

Responsible: Accredited vet and APQA

7
Book early; confirm after titre test blood draw date is known
Book cargo from ICN to ZRH via European hub

Responsible: Owner or freight agent

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Switzerland

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day …
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after a first-time vaccination …
Rabies titre test
Required. Switzerland applies EU-equivalent pet import rules under a bilateral …
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets. FSVO-authorised vets check documentation at …
Import permit
No import permit required for personal pet imports under FSVO rules.
Health certificate
APQA-endorsed health certificate in the format required by Switzerland …
Export permit
APQA export health certificate and inspection at ICN cargo facility. No separate …
Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test at EU/FSVO-approved laboratory: EUR 200-400
APQA inspection and health certificate endorsement at ICN: KRW …
Airline cargo ICN to ZRH via hub: EUR 950-2,600
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 70-280
Swiss border inspection at ZRH: EUR 100-250
IPATA agent fee (optional): EUR 350-750

Critical points

The 90-day waiting period runs from the titre test blood draw date, not the date the result arrives. Switzerland mirrors EU rules under a bilateral veterinary agreement, and this waiting period is applied strictly.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs is required in Switzerland. The 24-120 hour window before ARRIVAL means timing must account for total journey time including hub connections.

No direct Incheon-Zurich cargo service exists. All routings involve at least one European hub. Confirm live animal acceptance on each flight segment before booking.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

SWISS Cargo
SWISS International Air Lines (LX) connects to Zurich (ZRH) from European and Asian hubs. …
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
ICN to Frankfurt (FRA) direct, then FRA to Zurich (ZRH) via Lufthansa or SWISS. Live …
Cargo Only
Korean Air Cargo
Korean Air Cargo from Incheon (ICN) to Frankfurt (FRA) or Amsterdam (AMS), with onward …
Cargo Only
KLM Cargo
ICN to Amsterdam (AMS) direct, then AMS to ZRH via KLM or SWISS. A reliable alternative …
Cargo Only

Switzerland import rules, explained

Switzerland has a detailed set of import rules, and each one needs to be satisfied before travel. None of it is unusual, but the order and timing are what catch people out.

Practical tips for this move

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. Switzerland applies EU-equivalent pet import rules under a bilateral veterinary agreement. South Korea is not on the approved third-country list, so a FAVN or RNATT titre test at an EU/FSVO-approved laboratory is required. The minimum result is 0.5 IU/ml, and a 90-day waiting period from the blood draw date must pass before the pet can enter Switzerland.
Yes. Switzerland requires Echinococcus multilocularis treatment for dogs. A vet must administer a praziquantel-based product between 24 and 120 hours before the dog arrives in Switzerland. The treatment time and product must be recorded on the health certificate. Source: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO / BLV), blv.admin.ch.
No quarantine for fully compliant pets. FSVO-authorised vets at Zurich Airport check the microchip, vaccination, titre test result, 90-day wait, tapeworm treatment, and APQA-endorsed certificate. If documentation is in order, the pet is released on the same day.
No direct Incheon-Zurich service exists for pet cargo. Lufthansa Cargo on the ICN-FRA leg, with a SWISS or Lufthansa connection to Zurich, is the most common combination. Korean Air Cargo and KLM Cargo are alternatives for the long-haul leg. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on each segment at the time of booking.
Switzerland has no federal breed ban, but individual cantons impose their own restrictions on certain breeds. Research the rules for your destination canton before booking. Contact the FSVO (blv.admin.ch) or the relevant cantonal authority for guidance.
Airline guides
  • SWISS Cargo
  • Lufthansa Cargo
  • Korean Air Cargo
  • KLM Cargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Switzerland.

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KR CHSouth Korea to Switzerland
International pet transport route
Lead time22-28 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityHigh
Airlines4
ServiceDoor to door
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