Pet Transport South Korea to USA: 2026 Guide

Moving a pet from South Korea to the USA is straightforward compared to the reverse journey. Dogs need a CDC Dog Import Form, a current rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed …

4-8 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Step by step

The import process, in full

At least 4-8 weeks before travel.

Confirm microchip is ISO-standard and rabies vaccination is current (for dogs).

Responsible: Vet

Before travel. Complete in advance rather than on the day.

Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online (dogs only). No fee.

Responsible: Owner

Within the timeframe specified by USDA APHIS for the destination.

South Korean official vet issues health certificate (for dogs), endorsed by Korean authority.

Responsible: South Korean official vet

At least 4-8 weeks before travel. Cabin spaces are limited.

Book cabin space on Korean Air or Asiana (small pets) or cargo space for larger pets.

Responsible: Owner or agent

On travel date. Allow extra time for CDC desk at arrival.

Travel to the USA. CDC inspection at arrival airport for dogs. Present CDC form and health certificate.

Responsible: Owner / airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

Required for all dogs entering the USA. ISO 11784/11785 standard recommended. If the chip is non-ISO, the owner must bring a compatible reader.

Rabies vaccination

Required for dogs. Must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and recorded. Cats have no federal rabies vaccination requirement for US entry.

Import permit

No formal import permit. The CDC Dog Import Form is the required registration for dogs. Cats have no federal documentation requirement.

Health certificate

USDA-endorsed health certificate required for dogs. A South Korean official vet issues the certificate and the Korean government endorses it before travel.

Export permit

No South Korean export permit required for companion dogs and cats.

Health certificate

South Korean official veterinarian issues a health certificate meeting USDA APHIS requirements, endorsed by the relevant South Korean government authority. Covers microchip number, rabies vaccination status, and general health.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your South Korea to United States move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

Korean Air

Small dogs and cats (max 7 kg including cage) in the cabin on international routes. Larger pets as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seoul Incheon (ICN) hub. Direct services to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Seattle and other US cities.

Mixed

Asiana Airlines

Small pets in the cabin on qualifying routes (weight limits apply). Cargo for larger pets. Seoul Incheon hub. Direct trans-Pacific services to multiple US cities.

Mixed

Delta Air Lines

Delta Cargo on trans-Pacific routes from Seoul. Seattle and Los Angeles hubs.

Cargo Only

American Airlines

American Airlines Cargo on Korea-USA routes. Code-share routes with Korean Air (oneworld alliance) may provide additional routing options.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

Cabin pet fee (Korean Air or Asiana, small pets): USD 100 to USD 200 each way

Cargo fee (larger pets, South Korea to USA): USD 700 to USD 2,000 depending on size and carrier

IATA-compliant crate (if cargo): USD 80 to USD 350

South Korean official vet health certificate: KRW 50,000 to KRW 200,000 (approx USD 35 to USD 145)

CDC Dog Import Form: no fee

Total typical range: USD 500 to USD 3,000

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs entering the USA, including from South Korea. Complete it before travel. Dogs arriving without the form may be refused entry or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense.

Cats have no federal US documentation requirements but check airline-specific requirements. Some carriers require a health certificate even for cats.

Korean Air allows small pets in the cabin. This is a significant advantage for small dogs and cats on the long trans-Pacific journey. Book the cabin space early.

United Airlines PetSafe cargo is currently suspended for general public bookings. Use Korean Air, Asiana, Delta or American instead.

Hawaii has its own strict quarantine programme separate from federal CDC requirements. If Hawaii is your final destination, research HDOA rules independently.

What the CDC Dog Import Form requires

The CDC Dog Import Form is a mandatory online registration for all dogs entering the United States, regardless of origin. It links the dog to its microchip number and confirms vaccination status. South Korea is not classified as a high-risk country for dog-related rabies, so dogs from South Korea do not face the additional USDA-facility certification requirements that apply to dogs from higher-risk origins.

To complete the CDC form you will need your dog’s microchip number, the date of the most recent rabies vaccination, and the name of the veterinarian who administered it. There is no fee. Complete the form before travel; do not leave it until the day of departure.

The USDA-endorsed health certificate for dogs confirms your pet’s health status and vaccination record. A South Korean official veterinarian issues the certificate, which is then endorsed by the relevant Korean government authority before travel.

Cabin travel with Korean Air

Korean Air allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin on its direct Seoul Incheon to USA routes (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Seattle). The pet plus cage must weigh no more than 7 kg and the carrier must fit under the seat in front. On a 10-12 hour trans-Pacific flight, cabin travel is significantly less stressful for a small pet than the cargo hold.

Asiana Airlines also accepts small cabin pets on qualifying trans-Pacific routes. Both carriers require you to notify them at the time of booking. Cabin pet spaces are limited per flight, so book as early as possible.

FAQ

Common questions

No, there is no routine quarantine for correctly documented dogs from South Korea. You need a completed CDC Dog Import Form, a USDA-endorsed health certificate from a South Korean official vet, and a current rabies vaccination. CDC inspection at the arrival airport is typically brief for well-documented pets. Hawaii is the exception and applies its own quarantine rules regardless of documentation.

Cats have no federal documentation requirements when entering the USA from South Korea. However, your airline will have its own requirements (typically a health certificate from a vet). Check these with your carrier at the time of booking. Hawaii again applies different rules for cats, requiring advance registration with the HDOA.

Yes, on Korean Air or Asiana Airlines, for small pets. Korean Air allows dogs and cats weighing up to 7 kg including the cage in the passenger cabin on trans-Pacific routes. Asiana also accepts small cabin pets on qualifying flights. Delta and American transport pets as cargo only on international flights. Book cabin space at the same time as your own seat.

For most pets, 4-8 weeks is enough to arrange the health certificate and book transport. The key tasks are confirming the microchip and rabies vaccination are current, completing the CDC Dog Import Form, and booking cargo or cabin space. If your dog’s rabies vaccination has lapsed, allow an additional 3-4 weeks for revaccination and confirmation before travel.

IATA crate size limits apply rather than a specific weight limit for cargo, but airline policies vary. Korean Air and Asiana accept larger dogs as checked baggage or cargo provided the IATA-compliant crate meets size requirements. Check maximum crate dimensions with the specific airline at the time of booking. Very large breeds may require specialist pet freight rather than standard airline cargo.

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