South Korea – Importing a Pet

Does South Korea allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

South Korea actively accommodates the import of household pets and has established a clear framework governing how this is done. The regulations cover domestic dogs and cats, encompassing service and assistance animals within those categories. Dogs, cats, and ferrets over 90 days of age may enter without quarantine as long as all import conditions have been satisfied. Younger animals are not excluded but face different conditions — these are addressed in the quarantine section below.

South Korea does not enforce any blanket breed bans, but certain breeds attract considerable post-arrival restrictions. Anyone intending to own one of five breeds classified as “aggressive” under the Animal Protection Act must secure a permit from the relevant city or provincial authority. The five breeds designated as aggressive are the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa (also referred to as the Japanese Mastiff), and Rottweiler. Though conceptually similar to dangerous dog legislation found in various European jurisdictions, South Korea’s permit system is distinctly its own.

Under the revised Animal Protection Act (effective July 2024), owning any of these five breeds requires a government-issued permit, compulsory neutering, and the maintenance of a liability insurance policy. The permit is obtained from the provincial or metropolitan government. Expats intending to relocate with one of these breeds should build the time and expense of this permit application into their post-arrival plans.

Certain hybrid animals fall outside the standard pet import framework. Wolf hybrids are excluded, as are Savannah and Bengal cats unless they are at least five generations removed from their wild ancestors. Pet birds are governed by a separate set of rules — they must undergo five days of quarantine unless they were already held in quarantine for at least five days in their country of origin, in which case a single day of quarantine on arrival applies. Countries from which birds may be imported include New Zealand, the United States, Australia, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to rabies vaccination requirements, though they may still need to meet other conditions and should generally be accompanied by a health certificate. Always verify the current requirements for non-standard pet species with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) well before your departure date.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering South Korea?

South Korea is not classified as rabies-free, and its import requirements reflect a considered approach to managing that biosecurity risk. Unlike countries such as Australia and New Zealand — where even fully documented pets must undergo extended mandatory quarantine — South Korea allows quarantine-free entry for pets that meet all conditions. However, the sequence and timing of the pre-travel health steps are strictly enforced and cannot be altered.

The core veterinary requirements for dogs and cats arriving from countries where rabies is not absent are as follows (as of 2025 — always verify current requirements with the APQA before booking travel):

• ISO-compliant microchip: The microchip must be inserted before the first rabies vaccination is given. This order is rigidly enforced — if the chip was not verifiably in place before the vaccine was administered, that vaccination will be disqualified for entry purposes.
• Rabies vaccination: The vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before arrival and must still be within its one-year validity at the time of travel. Only an inactivated (killed) vaccine is accepted.
• Rabies antibody titer test: For cats and dogs aged 90 days or older that originate from countries where rabies is present, a rabies-neutralising antibody test is mandatory. The test must be carried out by an internationally approved laboratory or by the competent authority of the exporting country, and the blood sample must have been collected within 24 months of arrival.
• Titer test result: The antibody level must be at least 0.5 IU/mL, confirmed in the blood sample drawn no more than 24 months before the travel date.

On arrival in South Korea, a health certificate issued by the government authority of the exporting country — clearly stating the animal’s microchip number and the outcome of the rabies antibody test — must be handed to the animal quarantine officer. The order of procedures is critical: microchip first, then rabies vaccination, then titer test. Performing these steps out of sequence can render the entire preparation invalid.

Certain countries of origin trigger additional requirements worth noting. Dogs and cats imported from Malaysia require a supplementary certificate confirming the animal has not resided in any country where Nipah disease cases were confirmed in the preceding 60 days, along with a negative test from a laboratory approved for Nipah virus testing conducted within 14 days of export. Cats from Australia must be accompanied by a certificate confirming they have not lived in areas where Hendra disease was confirmed in the past 60 days. Owners departing from either of these countries should contact the APQA well ahead of travel.

Unlike some European destinations, South Korea does not require tick or tapeworm treatment as a condition of entry. That said, keeping thorough and well-organised records of a pet’s full vaccination and health history will be invaluable both during the import process and for ongoing veterinary care once settled in South Korea.

What is the application process for importing a pet into South Korea, and what paperwork is required?

Every preparatory step must be completed in the country of origin before departure. The full process from start to finish typically spans three to four months when beginning from scratch, making early planning essential.

1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip. This must be done before the rabies vaccination is given. The microchip number must appear consistently across all documentation. A microchip implanted after the rabies vaccine has been administered will invalidate that vaccination record for South Korean entry purposes.
2. Administer the rabies vaccination. The vaccine must be given at least 30 days before travel and must remain within its one-year validity at the time of arrival. Only inactivated (killed) rabies vaccines are accepted.
3. Wait at least 30 days, then schedule the rabies antibody titer test. The FAVN-OIE blood test must return results greater than 0.5 IU/mL. Results remain valid for two years provided the rabies vaccination is kept up to date. Testing must be carried out at an internationally approved laboratory — consult the APQA website for a current list of approved facilities.
4. Obtain a government-issued health certificate. A health certificate endorsed by the appropriate government authority in your country of origin must be secured within 10 days of departure. The certificate must include the animal’s microchip ID number and the results of the rabies antibody titer test.
5. Determine whether an import permit is necessary. No import permit is required for owners bringing up to four personal pets into South Korea. Owners travelling with ten or more animals must submit an advance notification to the APQA and obtain prior approval for use of an animal quarantine facility.
6. Organise your travel documents. Carry originals and photocopies of the microchip record, vaccination certificate, titer test report, and health certificate. All originals must accompany you and your pet throughout the journey.
7. Present documents on arrival. At Incheon, Gimpo, or Busan airport, proceed to the animal quarantine office and submit your documentation to the quarantine officer before passing through customs. Clearance will be granted on the same day if all requirements have been met and the clinical examination confirms the animal is in good health.

The government charges 110,000 KRW per animal for a rabies antibody titration test and 10,000 KRW per case for issuing a health certificate (as of the date of APQA’s published FAQ — verify current fees directly with the APQA, as these amounts may have changed). All expenses associated with the import process, including any quarantine that becomes necessary, are the sole responsibility of the owner.

Does South Korea require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Pets that arrive in full compliance with all import requirements are not subject to mandatory quarantine in South Korea. This stands in stark contrast to destinations like Australia or New Zealand, where a minimum quarantine period — typically ten days or more — applies to all incoming animals regardless of their documentation. In South Korea, a fully compliant pet can be released to its owner on the day of arrival following a clinical inspection.

Release on arrival day is granted once the required veterinary certificate has been submitted and the animal has passed a physical health examination at the port of entry. Provided the paperwork is verified and the animal appears healthy, no further detention is required.

Quarantine becomes unavoidable, however, when requirements are not fully met. If the microchip number on the documentation does not correspond to the number on the health certificate, or if the titer test result falls at or below 0.5 IU/mL, the animal will be held in quarantine — at the owner’s cost — until it satisfies the required standards. The typical quarantine period in such circumstances is around 10 days, though this can be extended depending on the circumstances.

The consequences of arriving without correct documentation are serious. If no health certificate is presented, the animal will not be permitted to enter South Korea and may be returned to the country of origin. Pets that fail to meet import requirements may be quarantined, repatriated, or, in the most extreme cases, euthanised under South Korean law. All associated costs are borne by the owner. These outcomes highlight why thorough preparation before departure is so important.

Pets arriving from Malaysia, or cats imported from Australia without the required disease-specific certificates, may be subject to a 21-day quarantine period. This is a notable departure from the standard same-day release pathway and should be factored into relocation timelines for anyone moving from those countries.

Is South Korea part of any international pet travel scheme?

South Korea has no involvement in the EU Pet Travel Scheme or any equivalent multilateral arrangement for simplified pet movement. The term “pet passport” is sometimes used loosely to describe the bundle of documents required for entry into South Korea, but this should not be mistaken for the formal EU Pet Passport — an official credential issued to pets resident in the European Union that facilitates straightforward travel between EU member states and certain listed third countries. That document carries no special status for entry into South Korea.

In practical terms, this means every owner — whether departing from an EU country, the UK, Japan, or anywhere else — must follow South Korea’s national import process as specified by the APQA. There are no abbreviated or fast-track pathways for travellers from EU Pet Travel Scheme countries. Every owner must obtain a government-endorsed health certificate from their country of origin, complete the rabies antibody titer test, and bring original copies of all documents to present on arrival.

Wherever possible, flights to South Korea should be direct or should transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU member state. If a pet travels through an EU country en route to South Korea, a transit health certificate will be needed that meets the same standards as if the EU country were the final destination. Transit country requirements should always be checked well in advance if a layover cannot be avoided.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in South Korea?

Arriving in South Korea with a pet marks the beginning of a set of ongoing legal obligations, most notably regarding registration. The Animal Protection Act requires that all dogs kept in residential or quasi-residential housing for more than two months be registered with the authorities. This obligation applies equally to foreign nationals and Korean citizens. Expats can complete this registration using their Alien Registration Card (ARC) number, in the same way as local residents.

Owners are required to ensure their dogs carry an ISO-compliant microchip. Registration itself must be completed through the Animal Protection Management System at www.animal.go.kr, and can also be handled at veterinary clinics and pet shops that have been designated by the relevant district office.

In cities such as Seoul, registration is a legal requirement and non-compliance carries financial penalties. Owners who fail to register their dogs may be fined up to ₩1 million. Registration fees differ between municipalities — during one recent campaign, Seoul residents could register for as little as ₩10,000 (fees vary by area and may have changed; always check with your local district office for current charges).

Owners of the five designated aggressive breeds face further post-arrival requirements. Under the revised Animal Protection Act (effective July 2024), keeping one of these breeds requires a government-issued permit, compulsory neutering, and liability insurance coverage. The permit is obtained from the provincial or metropolitan government. South Korean law additionally stipulates that aggressive breed dogs must not be taken outside the home without the owner present, must wear both a leash and a muzzle when in public, and are prohibited from entering children’s facilities including elementary schools.

Any changes to registration details — including change of ownership, change of address, or updates to the animal’s status (such as death, loss, or being found) — can be made by visiting a designated registration agency or by updating records online through the government portal at gov.kr or through the Korean Animal Welfare Information System at animal.go.kr.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to South Korea?

Beyond the fundamental health and documentation requirements, a number of practical considerations can have a real impact on how, when, and where you bring your pet to South Korea.

Ports of entry: All incoming pets must be processed through the animal quarantine office at Incheon, Gimpo, or Busan airports. Since not every international airport has quarantine inspection facilities, it is important to confirm the designated entry point when planning your travel. Incheon International Airport is by far the most frequently used arrival point for international pet imports.

Number of pets: Up to four pets per person may be brought into the country without additional formalities. Owners arriving with ten or more cats and/or dogs must file an advance notification with the APQA and receive prior approval for use of an animal quarantine facility before travelling.

Airline and carrier requirements: Owners should prepare a suitable carrier that complies with their airline’s regulations and line the base with a waterproof pad, towel, blanket, or other absorbent material. Pets must remain inside their carriers throughout the flight — removing an animal from its carrier at any point is not permitted. Whether a pet travels in the cabin or as cargo in the hold is determined entirely by the airline’s own policies and the size of the animal. Check directly with your carrier as early as possible, as policies differ between airlines and in-cabin space for pets is limited.

Housing considerations: A significant number of apartments across South Korea have no-pet policies or impose restrictions based on breed or size. Before signing any lease, confirm the building’s pet policy with the landlord, as some will request a pet deposit. This is a practical step that is easy to overlook when attention is focused on the import process itself.

Costs: Every cost involved in importing a pet — the titer test, government certificate endorsement, any quarantine, and airline fees — falls to the owner. South Korea’s overall process tends to be less expensive than mandatory-quarantine destinations such as Australia, where government-approved facility costs can run into thousands of dollars, but the combined outlay for the titer test, official certificate endorsement, and airline charges can still be substantial. Contact the APQA and your home country’s national veterinary authority for current fee information.

Bringing pet food: South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) introduced updated import health requirements for pet food in January 2025. If you intend to bring a supply of commercially produced pet food with you — particularly products containing animal-derived ingredients — check that it meets South Korea’s current import health conditions before travelling. Verify the applicable requirements with MAFRA in advance.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into South Korea?

South Korea’s pet import framework is administered by a small number of government bodies. Consulting these official sources directly — rather than relying on third-party guides — is the most dependable way to confirm requirements before travel, since regulations are subject to change at short notice.

• Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA / QIA): The principal authority overseeing all pet import requirements. The APQA provides detailed English-language guidance covering microchipping, rabies titer testing, health certificates, quarantine conditions, and approved laboratories. The official English-language pet import page can be found at qia.go.kr. An FAQ section dedicated to pet imports is available at qia.go.kr/english — FAQ.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA): The overarching government ministry responsible for agricultural biosecurity and animal health policy. MAFRA supervises the APQA and sets import health requirements for pet food and live animals. Policy-level information is available at mafra.go.kr/english.
• Korean Animal Welfare Information System (NAWIS): The official portal for completing pet registration in South Korea after arrival. Expats should use this system to register their dog once they are settled. Visit animal.go.kr.
• Your country of origin’s national veterinary authority: The health certificate must be issued or endorsed by an official government veterinary body in your home country. For example, owners departing from the United States should work with a USDA-accredited veterinarian and have documentation endorsed by USDA APHIS. Always confirm what your own national authority requires in order to produce a health certificate in the format accepted by South Korea.

Requirements can shift with limited notice. Before booking flights or arranging veterinary appointments, verify all details — including approved laboratories, certificate formats, applicable fees, and titer test validity windows — directly with the APQA. South Korean laws are amended regularly, and local governance structures mean that interpretation and enforcement can vary between different parts of the country. Consulting your local government authority after arrival will help ensure ongoing compliance.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the full process of bringing a pet to South Korea typically take?

Owners should budget approximately three to four months from start to finish: this covers the initial rabies vaccination, a mandatory 30-day wait before blood can be drawn for the titer test, and then a further four to six weeks for laboratory results to come back. The government-endorsed health certificate must be obtained within the final 10 days before departure. To allow for any delays, it is wise to begin the process at least four to five months before your intended travel date.

What happens if my pet arrives without the correct paperwork?

Arriving without a health certificate means the animal will not be permitted to enter South Korea and may be returned to the country of origin — at the owner’s expense. If the microchip records or titer test are missing or fall short of requirements, the pet will be placed in quarantine at the owner’s cost, typically for around 10 days. In the most severe cases, South Korean law permits euthanasia, which underscores how critical thorough preparation is before departure.

Are the rules the same for cats and dogs?

For the most part, yes. The fundamental requirements — ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody titer test, and government health certificate — apply equally to both dogs and cats arriving from countries where rabies is present, provided the animals are aged 90 days or older. Both species are subject to the same mandatory microchip and titer testing conditions under these circumstances. The main distinction is post-arrival: dogs are subject to compulsory registration and, for certain breeds, ownership permit requirements, whereas cats are not bound by the same registration framework.

Can I bring a rescue animal or adopted pet to South Korea?

Yes, rescue animals can be imported into South Korea, but they must satisfy exactly the same requirements as any other pet. The most common complication with rescue animals is an incomplete or unverifiable medical history — for example, if the animal was microchipped after its first rabies vaccination, or if the titer test cannot be linked to an approved laboratory. Work with an accredited veterinarian to establish a fully documented and traceable microchip and vaccination timeline as early as possible before travel.

Does South Korea limit how many pets I can bring?

Up to four pets per person may be imported without any additional formalities. Owners relocating with ten or more cats and/or dogs must submit an advance notification to the APQA and obtain prior approval for the use of an animal quarantine facility before travel. Anyone planning to bring more than four pets should contact the APQA early in the planning process to understand the full requirements.

Do I need an import permit for my pet?

No import permit is required for personal ownership of up to four dogs, cats, or ferrets entering South Korea. The required documentation — microchip records, vaccination certificate, titer test results, and government health certificate — serves as the basis for clearance and must be presented to the quarantine officer on arrival in place of any formal permit.

What are the rules for ferrets?

Ferrets are permitted to enter South Korea and must meet rabies vaccination and titer testing requirements. They must be current on their rabies vaccinations and must have had a rabies titer test conducted more than three months but less than 12 months before travel. Testing must take place at an approved laboratory. A government-issued health certificate is also required. Given that specific conditions for ferrets may differ from those applying to dogs and cats, confirm current requirements directly with the APQA before making arrangements.

Will my pet need to be registered after arriving in South Korea, and can I do this as a foreign resident?

Under the Animal Protection Act, all dogs kept in residential accommodation for more than two months must be officially registered. Foreign residents are subject to the same obligation as Korean nationals and can complete registration using their Alien Registration Card (ARC) number. Registration can be done through the national portal at animal.go.kr or at a designated veterinary clinic. Owners who fail to register their dogs risk fines of up to ₩1 million.