South Korea's practical pet-arrival protocol is administered by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA). All travelers bringing cats or dogs to the Republic of Korea must adhere to the following procedure.
Younger than 90 days, 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 in them. Their owners must submit to the animal quarantine officer at the port of entry a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country which states the animal's 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 for cats and dogs aged 90 days or older originating from countries that are not rabies-free. The rabies-neutralizing antibody 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. Upon arrival to Korea, a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country confirming the animal's microchip number and the result of the rabies antibody test must be submitted to the animal quarantine officer.
Microchip standard
Microchips implanted in cats and dogs must be ISO-compliant (ISO11784 and 11785 standards).
Release vs extended quarantine
Documented and clinically examined animals may be released on the day of arrival. By contrast, an animal that has not received a rabies-neutralizing antibody test or whose rabies-neutralizing antibody titer is below 0.5IU/㎖, may be quarantined for an extended period of time. The average extended period for quarantine is 10 days, and this period can be extended more depending on the case.
Group shipments
Travelers bringing ten or more cats and/or dogs to Korea must submit an advance notification form to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and obtain prior approval for the use of an animal quarantine facility.
Related: kr_pet_travel_import_quarantine (legal basis under 가축전염병예방법 Art. 34/36) and pet_travel_jp_maff (Japan's analogous rabies-tier regime).
Source: pdf-raw/pet-travel/02AnimalLivestock_007-8.jsp.txt (APQA, landed 2026-08-18).
Claims (verified C1 substrings of source_file)
All travelers bringing cats or dogs to the Republic of Korea must adhere to the following procedure.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 in them.Their owners must submit to the animal quarantine officer at the port of entry a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country which states the animal's microchip number and birth date.A microchip implant and a rabies-neutralizing antibody test are mandatory for cats and dogs aged 90 days or older originating from countries that are not rabies-free.The rabies-neutralizing antibody 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.Upon arrival to Korea, a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country confirming the animal's microchip number and the result of the rabies antibody test must be submitted to the animal quarantine officer.Microchips implanted in cats and dogs must be ISO-compliant (ISO11784 and 11785 standards).A cat or dog whose accompanying documentation has been verified and whose health has been confirmed through a clinical examination at the port of entry may be released on the day of arrival.an animal that has not received a rabies-neutralizing antibody test or whose rabies-neutralizing antibody titer is below 0.5IU/㎖, may be quarantined for an extended period of timeThe average extended period for quarantine is 10 days, and this period can be extended more depending on the case.Travelers bringing ten or more cats and/or dogs to Korea must submit an advance notification form to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and obtain prior approval for the use of an animal quarantine facility.