Bringing a cat or dog into South Korea — APQA arrival rules
South Korea's practical pet-arrival protocol is administered by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA). All travellers bringing cats or dogs to the Republic of Korea must follow the procedure below.
Under 90 days old, or from a rabies-free country
- Although cats and dogs younger than 90 days or originating from rabies-free countries do not require prior vaccination against rabies, it is mandatory that they have microchips implanted.
- Owners must submit at the port of entry a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country stating the microchip number and birth date.
Aged 90 days or older, from a non-rabies-free country
- A microchip implant and a rabies-neutralizing antibody test are mandatory.
- The test must be administered by an internationally approved laboratory or by the competent authority of the exporting country within 24 months after collecting blood samples.
- On arrival, a health certificate confirming the microchip number and the rabies antibody test result must be submitted to the animal quarantine officer.
Microchip standard
Microchips must be ISO-compliant (ISO 11784 and 11785 standards).
Release vs extended quarantine
- An animal whose documentation is verified and health confirmed through a clinical examination at the port of entry may be released on the day of arrival.
- By contrast, an animal that has not received a rabies-neutralizing antibody test, or whose titer is below 0.5 IU/ml, may be quarantined — the average extended quarantine is 10 days, extensible by case.
Group shipments (10 or more)
Travellers bringing ten or more cats and/or dogs must submit an advance notification form to APQA and obtain prior approval for use of an animal quarantine facility.
Sources
kr_pet_travel_apqa_practical— APQA procedure; under-90-day/rabies-free exempt from rabies vaccine but mandatory microchip + health cert (microchip no., birth date); ≥90-day non-rabies-free require microchip + rabies-neutralizing antibody test (internationally approved lab or competent authority within 24 months) + health cert (microchip no., titer result); ISO 11784/11785 microchip; same-day release if documented + examined, else ~10-day extended quarantine if no titer or titer <0.5 IU/ml; 10+ animals need APQA advance notification + facility approval.