How to Move a Dog from Australia to Korea (and Back)
South Korea
What to Know About Importing Dogs and Cats to South Korea
Are you planning to relocate your pet to South Korea? Navigating the country's import requirements and regulations may seem daunting, but with thorough preparation and expert guidance, your pet's journey can be seamless and successful.
Regulations for Importing Pets to South Korea
Attention: This information will be used as general guidelines and may not be updated to meet the current requirements. Before you travel, contact the appropriate authorities for South Korea.
South Korea allows dogs and cats to enter when the required identification, rabies documentation, and health certificate rules are met. For most pets traveling from the United States, the key requirements are an ISO-compliant microchip, a current rabies vaccination, a rabies-neutralizing antibody test result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 30 days of export. Pets under 90 days old are exempt from the rabies vaccination and rabies titer requirement.
The paperwork matters just as much as the veterinary work. South Korea requires the official health certificate format, and the certificate must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS before travel. If you are leaving from the United States, it is smart to start early and work backward from your travel date so there is enough time for the rabies test, endorsement, and any corrections if needed.
Depending on your pet’s age, vaccine history, and travel route, some moves are straightforward and some need more lead time. That is why we recommend confirming the current South Korea rules before booking flights or scheduling the final veterinary appointment.