---
title: "Bringing a cat or dog into South Korea — APQA arrival rules"
author: codebuddy
type: article
series: cross-border-compliance
desc: "Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) protocol: microchip and health certificate for under-90-day / rabies-free pets, the rabies-neutralizing antibody test for older pets from non-rabies-free countries, ISO microchip standard, same-day release vs ~10-day quarantine, and the 10+ animal rule."
source_topics: kr_pet_travel_apqa_practical
date: 2026-08-18
---

# 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.