Lead time needed
12-16 weeks
Quarantine
10 days
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport Thailand to South Korea: 2026 Guide

If you are relocating a pet from Thailand to South Korea, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Set aside roughly 12-16 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. Plan for 10 days of quarantine on arrival. Use the timeline …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Thailand to South Korea typically takes around 12-16 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Thailand to South Korea 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
Start of process
Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: DLD-registered or accredited Thai vet

2
After microchip confirmed
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: DLD-registered Thai vet

3
At least 30 days after vaccination, at approved laboratory
FAVN titre test blood draw

Responsible: Thai vet, approved laboratory

4
Before confirming final travel date
Advance QIAS notification submitted

Responsible: Pet transport agent

5
Within 10 days of travel
DLD health certificate in Korean QIAS format

Responsible: DLD-registered vet, DLD endorsement

6
On arrival
QIAS quarantine at Incheon (5-10 days)

Responsible: QIAS facility, Incheon International Airport

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter South Korea

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

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination required
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required (Thailand is not rabies-free); 0.5 IU/ml minimum at …
Quarantine
QIAS inspection and quarantine at Incheon: 5-10 days for pets from …
Import permit
Advance QIAS notification required before arrival
Health certificate
Korean QIAS-format health certificate, DLD-endorsed
Export permit
DLD export permit required alongside health certificate
Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test in Thailand: USD 150-300
DLD health certificate and export permit: USD 60-150
Cargo BKK to ICN: USD 500-1,200 depending on pet size
QIAS quarantine facility fee at Incheon: approximately KRW …
IATA crate: USD 80-350

Critical points

Thailand is not rabies-free; QIAS quarantine at Incheon is mandatory for Thai-origin pets.

Health certificate must be in Korean QIAS format, not a standard export or EU format.

FAVN titre tests in Thailand can be more expensive than in some other countries; budget accordingly.

DLD endorsement timing: confirm processing time with your vet, as it can vary.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

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

Korean Air Cargo
BKK to ICN direct; Korean Air Cargo is the most direct and experienced option for this …
Cargo Only
Thai Airways
BKK to ICN via Thai Cargo; Thai Airways is experienced with DLD documentation for …
Cargo Only
Asiana Cargo
BKK to ICN via Asiana connections; Incheon-based with QIAS process familiarity
Cargo Only

South Korea import rules, explained

South Korea asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

Practical tips for this move

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. Both dogs and cats from Thailand are subject to the same 5-10 day QIAS quarantine at Incheon. The process and facility are the same for both species, with dogs in the kennel areas and cats in separate cat quarters.
FAVN testing requires specialist rabies virology equipment and expertise. In countries where this test is routinely performed for a large volume of international pet relocations (such as Australia), the cost per test is lower due to volume. Thailand has fewer specialist labs performing this test, which affects the price. Costs have been improving as the number of labs has increased, but USD 150-300 remains the current range.
No. The FAVN titre test is a pre-travel requirement, not an on-arrival test. It must be completed and a satisfactory result obtained before your pet leaves Thailand. QIAS will not accept a titre test done after arrival as meeting the pre-travel requirement.
The advance QIAS notification should be submitted before you confirm the final travel date and book cargo space. There is no specific minimum days requirement stated for Thailand-origin pets in the same way Japan AQS has a 40-day rule, but submitting the notification as early as possible (at least 2-3 weeks before travel) gives QIAS time to process and reduces the risk of administrative delays at Incheon.
Yes. The FAVN titre test is required regardless of how long your dog has been vaccinated or how well maintained the vaccination record is. The test is a condition of QIAS entry for pets from rabies-endemic countries including Thailand, and it cannot be substituted by vaccination history alone.
Airline guides
  • Korean Air Cargo
  • Thai Airways
  • Asiana Cargo
Breed guides

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TH KRThailand to South Korea
International pet transport route
Lead time12-16 weeks
Quarantine10 days
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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