Pet Transport UK to South Korea: 2026 APQA Requirements

Moving a pet from the UK to South Korea requires a minimum of 7-8 months of preparation. South Korea's APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) requires a FAVN titre test with a …

32-36 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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What's required

MicrochipISO 11784/11785 standard required. Must …

Rabies vaccinationRequired. At least two vaccinations, …

Rabies titre testFAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus …

Quarantine10 days at an APQA-approved facility on …

Import permitFormal import permit required from APQA …

Health certificateIssued by an APHA-authorised Official …

Step by step

The import process, in full

Start of the process, at least 7-8 months before planned travel.

Confirm ISO microchip is implanted before the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet

Begin 7-8 months before travel.

Rabies vaccination course: at least two vaccinations, the first at least 30 days before blood draw.

Responsible: Vet

This is the key date from which your earliest possible entry date is calculated.

FAVN titre test: blood draw at least 30 days after the second vaccination. 180-day wait begins from this date.

Responsible: APHA-approved vet + laboratory

At least 30 days before travel.

Apply for APQA import permit.

Responsible: Owner or agent

Within 14 days of travel.

APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian issues health certificate within 14 days of travel.

Responsible: APHA-authorised OV

6-8 weeks before travel.

Book cargo or cabin space on Korean Air, Asiana or via IAG Cargo.

Responsible: Owner or agent

On travel date.

Travel to Seoul Incheon. Present all documents to APQA on arrival. Pet enters quarantine.

Responsible: Owner / airline

Begins on arrival.

10-day quarantine at APQA facility. Collect pet after release.

Responsible: APQA facility

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

ISO 11784/11785 standard required. Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. At least two vaccinations, with the first at least 30 days before the FAVN titre test blood draw.

Rabies titre test

FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test required. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait period runs from the blood draw date before entry.

Quarantine

10 days at an APQA-approved facility on arrival. Owner pays all costs.

Import permit

Formal import permit required from APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency). Apply at least 30 days before travel.

Health certificate

Issued by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian within 14 days of travel. Must reference microchip, vaccinations, and titre test result.

Export permit

No UK export permit required for dogs and cats.

Health certificate

Health certificate issued by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian in the UK, meeting South Korea's APQA requirements. Must include the microchip number, full vaccination history, and FAVN titre test result.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United Kingdom to South Korea 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. Larger pets as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seoul Incheon (ICN) hub. Direct London Heathrow to Seoul Incheon route.

Mixed

Asiana Airlines

Small pets in cabin (weight limits apply). Cargo for larger pets. Seoul Incheon hub.

Mixed

British Airways

No cabin pets on BA. Pets via IAG Cargo from London Heathrow. BA code-shares with Korean Air (oneworld alliance), which may offer routing options.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

International pet cargo or cabin fee (UK to South Korea): GBP 250 to GBP 1,800 depending on size and carrier

IATA-compliant crate (if cargo): GBP 80 to GBP 300

FAVN titre test (UK laboratory): GBP 150 to GBP 350

APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian health certificate: GBP 150 to GBP 400

APQA quarantine (10 days): approx KRW 200,000 to KRW 600,000 (approx GBP 120 to GBP 360)

Total typical range: GBP 1,000 to GBP 3,500

Critical points

The 180-day wait runs from the blood draw date for the FAVN titre test. Start the titre test process at least 7-8 months before your planned move. A missed deadline means restarting the wait period.

Korean Air allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on direct London to Seoul flights. The pet plus cage must not exceed 7 kg. Book the cabin space when you book your own seat.

British Airways does not allow pets in the cabin on any international route. Pets travel via IAG Cargo.

The 10-day quarantine on arrival is mandatory and applies regardless of documentation quality. Budget for quarantine accommodation costs in South Korea.

If the titre test result is below 0.5 IU/ml, the process must restart with a new vaccination and blood draw. A failed titre test adds months to the timeline.

The 180-day wait explained

South Korea’s titre test requirement is a sequential process that cannot be rushed. The FAVN test measures your pet’s rabies antibody level. The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination, and the 180-day wait period begins from the blood draw date, not from when the result is confirmed.

This means the total minimum preparation time from a standing start is roughly:

First rabies vaccination
Wait at least 30 days
Second rabies vaccination (if required)
Wait at least 30 days
Blood draw for FAVN test (180-day wait starts)
Plus approximately 4-8 weeks for final paperwork and cargo booking

In practice, start 8 months before your planned move to allow for any delays or failed titre tests.

Korean Air cabin travel from London

Korean Air operates a direct London Heathrow to Seoul Incheon route and allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin. The pet plus cage must weigh no more than 7 kg, and the carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. This is one of the most convenient options for small pet owners on this route, as cabin travel keeps your pet with you throughout the flight.

Book the cabin pet space when you reserve your own ticket. Spaces are limited per flight. Korean Air’s cabin requirement applies to both cats and small dogs, so this option suits owners of smaller breeds regardless of species.

For larger pets that exceed the cabin weight limit, Korean Air Cargo and Asiana Cargo are the main direct options, with British Airways via IAG Cargo as an alternative.

FAQ

Common questions

A minimum of 7-8 months from the start of the process. South Korea requires a FAVN titre test, and the 180-day wait runs from the blood draw date. Before the blood draw, your pet needs at least two rabies vaccinations with the second at least 30 days before the blood draw. Add the APQA permit application time (30 days before travel) and the health certificate window (14 days before travel), and the full process typically takes 8 months from a standing start.

Yes, on Korean Air’s direct London Heathrow to Seoul Incheon flight. Small dogs and cats are accepted in the cabin provided the pet plus cage weighs no more than 7 kg and the carrier fits under the seat. Asiana Airlines also offers cabin pet travel on qualifying routes. British Airways does not allow cabin pets on any international flight.

APQA is South Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the body responsible for regulating pet imports. APQA requires: an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination course, a FAVN titre test (with 180-day wait from blood draw), an import permit (applied for at least 30 days before travel), and a health certificate from an official veterinarian. On arrival, all pets serve 10 days in an APQA quarantine facility at the owner’s expense.

APQA quarantine costs are set by the facility and typically run KRW 200,000 to KRW 600,000 (approximately GBP 120 to GBP 360) for 10 days, depending on the facility and pet size. These costs are paid by the owner directly to the quarantine facility. Budget for this in addition to cargo fees and health certificate costs.

You can complete the process independently, but a professional pet relocation agent is worth considering for this route given the complexity and the interdependence of the steps. A missed deadline in the titre test sequence adds months to your timeline. Agents typically charge GBP 300 to GBP 800 for coordination services and are familiar with APQA permit applications.

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