Pet Transport from UAE to South Korea: QIAS Quarantine and MOCCAE Export
If you are relocating a pet from United Arab Emirates to South Korea, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Set aside roughly 12-20 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Arab Emirates to South Korea
typically takes around 12-20 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The United Arab Emirates to South Korea import process
01
At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Implant ISO microchip and administer rabies vaccination in UAE.
Responsible: Vet in UAE
02
At least 30 days after rabies vaccination.
FAVN titre test blood draw at an approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and approved laboratory
03
Before booking flights. QIAS must be notified before departure planning is finalised.
Submit QIAS advance notification.
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
04
Within 14 days of South Korea arrival.
Obtain QIAS-format health certificate, endorsed by municipal authority and MOCCAE.
Responsible: Accredited vet, municipal authority, MOCCAE
05
After titre test process is complete and QIAS notification is submitted.
Fly to Seoul Incheon (ICN) via Emirates or Korean Air. QIAS inspection and 5-10 day quarantine on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, QIAS at ICN
Requirements
South Korea entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required.
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination required.
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required. The UAE is classified as a rabies-endemic country for QIAS purposes. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml at an approved laboratory. Source: QIAS (Quarantine Inspection and Approval Service), qia.go.kr.
Quarantine
5-10 day quarantine and inspection at QIAS facility, Incheon International Airport. All pets from rabies-endemic countries including the UAE are subject to quarantine on arrival. Duration depends on documentation completeness and QIAS assessment. Source: QIAS, qia.go.kr.
Import permit
Advance QIAS notification required before arrival. Submit through official channels before booking flights.
Health certificate
QIAS-format official health certificate, endorsed by municipal authority and MOCCAE. Valid 14 days from examination.
Leaving United Arab Emirates
Export requirements
Export permit
MOCCAE endorsement is the formal export authorisation. Allow 48 hours for MOCCAE endorsement once municipal endorsement is in place. Health certificate valid 14 days from examination.
Health certificate
Official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian, endorsed by the relevant municipal authority (ADAFSA, Dubai Municipality, or Sharjah Municipality), then endorsed by MOCCAE. Must be in QIAS-specified format. Source: MOCCAE.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Microchip, vaccination, and titre test in UAE: approximately AED 800-2,500
MOCCAE health certificate endorsement: approximately AED 200-500
Cargo fees UAE to Seoul Incheon: approximately AED 2,000-6,000 depending on pet size
QIAS inspection and quarantine fee at ICN: paid by owner on arrival
Pet transport agent fee: AED 1,000-3,000 if used
Realistic total: AED 4,500-14,000
Critical points
The UAE is classified as rabies-endemic by QIAS. A titre test is required and a 5-10 day quarantine applies at Incheon on arrival. This is non-negotiable.
QIAS advance notification must be submitted before booking flights. Do not book first and notify QIAS later.
The health certificate must be in QIAS-specified format. The MOCCAE-endorsed general export health certificate may not meet QIAS format requirements. Use a specialist agent familiar with QIAS documentation.
Comparing UAE-to-South Korea with UAE-to-Japan: Korea (12-20 weeks) is considerably faster than Japan (32-40 weeks). Japan requires two vaccinations and a 180-day pre-travel wait. Korea requires a titre test and a 5-10 day arrival quarantine.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Emirates SkyCargo
Direct cargo services from Dubai (DXB) to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Emirates SkyCargo has established live animal procedures. Advance booking and full documentation required.
Cargo Only
Korean Air Cargo
Korean Air Cargo operates services from Dubai DXB to Seoul Incheon ICN. Korean Air is the main South Korean carrier on this route and is QIAS-familiar.
Cargo Only
Etihad Cargo
From Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Etihad Cargo live animal services. An option for owners based in Abu Dhabi.
Cargo Only
Asiana Cargo
Asiana Cargo operates connections to ICN from Middle Eastern cities. Confirm live animal requirements and documentation before booking.
Cargo Only
South Korea import rules, explained
South Korea 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
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 about this route
Yes. The UAE is classified as rabies-endemic by QIAS. An FAVN titre test at a QIAS-approved laboratory is required. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Source: QIAS, qia.go.kr.
5-10 days. The exact duration depends on documentation completeness and QIAS assessment on arrival. Pets from the UAE serve this quarantine at the QIAS facility at Incheon International Airport.
UAE-to-South Korea: titre test, 5-10 day quarantine at Incheon on arrival, no pre-travel 180-day wait. Total preparation: 12-20 weeks. UAE-to-Japan: two vaccinations, titre test, 180-day pre-travel wait, 40-day advance notification. Total preparation: 32-40 weeks. South Korea is considerably faster.
Yes. Submit the QIAS advance notification before finalising flight bookings. The notification is a regulatory requirement that precedes departure planning, not something to be done after tickets are purchased.
Yes. Emirates SkyCargo and Korean Air Cargo both operate direct cargo services from Dubai (DXB) to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Etihad Cargo also serves this route from Abu Dhabi (AUH).
Airline guides
Emirates SkyCargo
Korean Air Cargo
Etihad Cargo
Asiana Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.