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Pet Transport Vietnam to South Korea: 2026 APQA Guide

Bringing your dog or cat from Vietnam to South Korea takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect about 8-14 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but …

8-14 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
8-14 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip strongly …
Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. …
Rabies titre testRabies antibody titre test required for …
Health certificateDAH-endorsed health certificate in APQA …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from Vietnam to South Korea typically takes around 8-14 weeks.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
2-3 months before travel.
ISO microchip confirmed. Current rabies vaccination. Confirm APQA titre test requirements for Vietnam.

Responsible: DAH-registered Vietnamese vet

2
After vaccination. Allow 2-3 weeks for titre result.
Titre test at approved laboratory. Await passing result. No post-titre waiting period under APQA rules.

Responsible: Vietnamese vet and approved laboratory

3
After titre result confirmed. Book 4-6 weeks before travel.
Book cargo: SGN or HAN to ICN (Vietnam Airlines or Korean Air).

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
Within 10 days of departure.
DAH-endorsed health certificate in APQA format issued within 10 days of travel.

Responsible: DAH-endorsed Vietnamese vet

5
Travel day.
Travel SGN or HAN to ICN. APQA inspection on arrival at Incheon. Same-day release if documents are correct.

Responsible: Airline and APQA

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 microchip strongly recommended. Required for positive identification at APQA inspection.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. Confirm timing requirements with APQA for the specific year of travel.
Rabies titre test
Rabies antibody titre test required for pets from Vietnam. No post-titre waiting period under South Korea APQA rules. Travel can proceed once a passing result is confirmed. Source: APQA, qia.go.kr.
Health certificate
DAH-endorsed health certificate in APQA format. Issued within 10 days of travel.
Export permit
No formal export permit for personal pets. DAH-endorsed health certificate covers the export documentation.
Health certificate
Health certificate issued by a Vietnamese veterinarian and endorsed by the Department of Animal Health (DAH, under MARD). Must be in the format required by South Korea's APQA.
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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.

Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines operates Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN) to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Vietnam Airlines Cargo handles live animals on selected routes. Confirm live animal acceptance for your specific flight.
Cargo Only
Korean Air
Korean Air operates SGN and HAN to ICN with cargo services. Korean Air Cargo handles live animals. A reliable carrier for Vietnam to South Korea with strong infrastructure at both ends.
Cargo Only
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines operates Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Incheon. Asiana Cargo accepts live animals on this route. Confirm availability for your crate size and travel date.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

Vietnamese vet fees and DAH health certificate endorsement: USD 100-250
Titre test at approved laboratory: USD 100-200
Air cargo SGN or HAN to ICN: USD 600-2,000 depending on crate size
APQA inspection fee on arrival: approximately KRW 18,000-30,000 (approximately USD 14-23)
Total typical range: USD 1,000-3,000

Critical points

Confirm current APQA requirements at qia.go.kr before preparing. Requirements can change and Vietnam-specific conditions apply.

Unlike Japan, South Korea does not impose a post-titre waiting period. A passing titre result means you can book travel immediately.

All original documents must travel with the pet. Copies are not accepted by APQA at Incheon.

Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Do not issue it earlier.

What South Korea requires

The path into South Korea is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.

Avoiding the common mistakes

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

No. South Korea’s APQA does not impose a post-titre waiting period. If a titre test is required for Vietnamese pets and the result passes, you can book travel immediately after receiving the result. This is a key difference from Japan’s 180-day post-titre wait.
Typically 2 to 3 months from the first vet visit. If a titre test is required, allow 2 to 3 weeks for the result. No extended waiting period applies. Always check current requirements at qia.go.kr before preparing.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the designated entry point for all cargo pets arriving in South Korea. There is no alternative entry port for live animal cargo.
APQA staff conduct a clinical inspection of your pet on arrival. They verify the microchip, check the health certificate, vaccination records, and titre test documentation. For pets from non-rabies-free countries, this inspection is standard. If all documents are correct, your pet is released on the same day.
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  • Vietnam Airlines
  • Korean Air
  • Asiana Airlines
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