Pet Transport Thailand to South Korea: 2026 Guide

South Korea’s QIAS classifies Thailand as a country that is not rabies-free. This classification determines the import pathway for all pets from Thailand: mandatory FAVN titre test before travel, and a 5 to 10 day quarantine at the QIAS inspection facility at Incheon on arrival.

Before your pet leaves Thailand, you need a valid ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and a satisfactory FAVN titre test result. The blood draw for the titre test must be at least 30 days after the vaccination. The test must be done at a laboratory approved for this purpose. In Thailand, FAVN titre tests cost USD 150-300 and can be arranged through specialist veterinary clinics in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

The health certificate must be in Korean QIAS format. This is not the standard Thai export certificate and not an EU-format document. It requires specific fields aligned with QIAS requirements. Your DLD-registered vet issues this certificate; DLD (Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development) endorses it before departure.

On arrival at Incheon, your pet goes directly to the QIAS inspection facility. The 5 to 10 day quarantine begins immediately. QIAS vets check the microchip, verify vaccination records, review the titre test, and conduct a physical health examination. Once cleared, the pet is released.

Thailand has several veterinary laboratories that offer FAVN titre testing, primarily in Bangkok. The test cost of USD 150-300 is higher than in some other countries. This reflects the test’s complexity: it is a specialist virology test, not a routine blood panel.

Some owners in Thailand prefer to send the blood sample to a laboratory in another country (for example in Australia or New Zealand) where the test may be cheaper or more consistently available. Your vet or transport agent can advise on the best option based on current lab availability and turnaround time in Thailand.

The laboratory must be approved for FAVN testing for the purpose of QIAS entry. Confirm the specific laboratory is on South Korea’s approved list before drawing blood. An unapproved lab’s result will not be accepted by QIAS.

Results from FAVN tests in Thailand typically take 1-3 weeks depending on the laboratory and whether the sample needs to be sent abroad. Factor this into your preparation timeline.

Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi, BKK) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) is a well-served route with multiple daily flights. Korean Air Cargo and Thai Airways both operate this route and have experience with QIAS-required documentation. Asiana Cargo is another option.

Korean Air Cargo is often the most straightforward choice because the airline’s Korean staff at the receiving end are familiar with QIAS requirements and the inspection process at Incheon. A direct BKK-ICN flight means fewer handling events for your pet.

Cargo costs from Bangkok to Incheon typically run USD 500-1,200. This is one of the more affordable ranges for routes covered in this guide, given the relatively short flight distance of around 4 to 5 hours. Pet size drives the cost: a small cat might cost USD 500-700; a large breed dog in a reinforced crate could be USD 900-1,200.

Add the FAVN titre test (USD 150-300), DLD documentation (USD 60-150), QIAS quarantine fees (KRW 150,000-400,000), IATA crate (USD 80-350), and vet fees, and total costs from Thailand to South Korea typically run USD 1,500-3,000 for most pets. This is the most affordable of the Asia to Korea routes due to the shorter cargo distance.