Pet Transport USA to South Korea: 2026 APQA Process

Bringing your dog or cat from United States to South Korea takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 32-36 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps …

32-36 wks

Preparation needed

10 days

Quarantine on arrival

High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

32-36 weeks

Quarantine

10 days

Route complexity

High

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to South Korea typically takes around 32-36 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

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

Implant ISO microchip before or at the time of the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet

Begin 7-8 months before travel.

Two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart. Both recorded in the health record.

Responsible: Vet

Blood draw date determines the earliest possible entry date.

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

Responsible: Vet + approved laboratory

At least 30 days before planned travel.

Apply for APQA import permit.

Responsible: Owner or agent

Allow 3-5 days for USDA endorsement.

USDA APHIS endorses health certificate. Vet issues within 14 days of travel.

Responsible: Vet + USDA APHIS

At least 6-8 weeks before travel.

Book cargo or cabin space with Korean Air, Asiana, American or Delta.

Responsible: Owner or agent

On travel date.

Arrive at Seoul Incheon. Present all documents to APQA. Pet goes to quarantine facility.

Responsible: Owner / airline

Begins on arrival day.

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. Two vaccinations typically required. First vaccination must be at least 30 days before the FAVN titre test blood draw.

Rabies titre test

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

Quarantine

10 days at an APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) approved facility on arrival. Owner pays all quarantine costs.

Import permit

Import permit required from APQA. Apply at least 30 days before travel.

Health certificate

Issued by a US official veterinarian within 14 days of travel and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Must include microchip, vaccinations, and titre test result.

Export permit

No US export permit required for dogs and cats.

Health certificate

USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate required. Your US veterinarian issues the certificate, then USDA APHIS endorses it. Must include microchip number, vaccination dates, and FAVN titre test result.

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

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Korean Air

Small dogs and cats (max 7 kg including cage) allowed in the cabin on international flights. Larger pets travel as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seoul Incheon (ICN) hub. Direct services from most major US airports.

Mixed

Asiana Airlines

Small dogs and cats in the cabin (weight limits apply). Larger pets as cargo. Seoul Incheon hub. Code-share routes with other Star Alliance partners may extend reach.

Mixed

American Airlines

Cargo for larger pets on US-Korea routes. Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles hubs connect to Seoul Incheon. No cabin pets on international AA flights.

Cargo Only

Delta Air Lines

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

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

International pet cargo or cabin fee (USA to South Korea): USD 200 to USD 2,000 depending on size and carrier

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

FAVN titre test: USD 200 to USD 450

USDA-endorsed health certificate: USD 200 to USD 500

APQA quarantine (10 days): approx KRW 200,000 to KRW 600,000 (approx USD 150 to USD 450)

APQA import permit: minimal or no fee

Total typical range: USD 1,200 to USD 4,500

Critical points

The 180-day wait runs from the blood draw date for the FAVN titre test, not from the date you receive the results. Starting the titre test process too late is the most common reason USA-to-Korea moves are delayed. Begin at least 7-8 months before your travel date.

Korean Air allows small pets in the cabin, which is a significant advantage for owners of small dogs or cats. The pet plus cage must not exceed 7 kg and must fit under the seat.

10-day quarantine applies to all dogs and cats on arrival, regardless of documentation quality. This is shorter than Japan's 14-day quarantine but still requires advance planning and budget.

If your pet has a failed titre test result (below 0.5 IU/ml), you must re-vaccinate and restart the titre test process, adding months to your timeline.

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

Meeting South Korea's entry requirements

The requirements for South Korea are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.

Advice worth following

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

At least 7-8 months from a standing start. South Korea requires a FAVN titre test, and the 180-day wait period runs from the blood draw date. Before the blood draw, your pet needs two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart, with the blood draw at least 30 days after the second vaccination. Once the 180-day period is complete, you have around 4-8 weeks of final paperwork. Start as early as possible.

Yes. All dogs and cats arriving in South Korea serve 10 days in quarantine at an APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) facility. This applies even with complete documentation. The 10-day quarantine is shorter than Japan’s 14-day requirement but still needs advance budget planning. APQA quarantine costs are paid by the owner.

Yes, on Korean Air or Asiana Airlines. Korean Air allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on international routes (maximum 7 kg including the cage, and the carrier must fit under the seat). This is one of the advantages of these Korean carriers for this route. Book the cabin pet space at the same time as your own seat, as places are limited.

The APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) import permit is a formal authorisation to bring a pet into South Korea. Apply to APQA at least 30 days before travel. The permit application requires your pet’s microchip number, vaccination records, and titre test result. A pet relocation agent can handle the permit application on your behalf if you prefer.

If the titre test result is below 0.5 IU/ml, you must revaccinate your pet and restart the blood draw process. The new blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the revaccination, and a new 180-day wait period begins from the new blood draw date. This adds several months to the timeline. It is important to work with a vet experienced in export requirements to give the titre test the best chance of passing on the first attempt.

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