Country entry guide · Asia
Traveling to South Korea with your dog
South Korea welcomes dogs, but what you must prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from — not only on Korea itself. Korea runs its own scheme through the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA): an ISO microchip is always required. If your dog comes from a country APQA designates as rabies-free, you mainly need a microchip and a government veterinary health certificate. If your dog comes from a country that is NOT designated rabies-free, you must add a rabies vaccination and a rabies antibody test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml. A dog that meets every condition clears the quarantine inspection and is normally released on the day of arrival; otherwise it can be detained. This guide explains each case so you know exactly what to prepare before you book your flight.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Microchip | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Required from non-rabies-free origins |
| Rabies antibody test (≥0.5 IU/ml) | Conditional — non-rabies-free origins only |
| Government veterinary certificate | Required |
| Quarantine | Inspection mandatory — same-day release if compliant, detention if not |
⚠️ Important
- MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
- Only a veterinarian can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
- Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.
Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.
Find a flight to South Korea
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — South Korea★★★★★
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | Required | If the chip is not ISO 11784/11785, the owner must bring a compatible reader. | APQA — Import requirements for dogs and cats |
| Rabies vaccination | Non-rabies-free origins | Not required from a designated rabies-free country, nor for dogs 90 days old or younger. | APQA — Bring a dog or cat to Korea (FAQ) |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional | Not required from designated rabies-free countries, nor for dogs 90 days old or younger (microchip still required). | APQA — Import requirements / FAQ |
| Government veterinary health certificate | Required | For EU member states, an EU pet passport may replace the health certificate. | APQA — Bring a dog or cat to Korea (FAQ) |
| EU pet passport | EU origins | Non-EU origins must use the government health certificate. | APQA — Bring a dog or cat to Korea (FAQ) |
| Nipah/Hendra virus certification | Specific origins only | Without certification, isolation for 21 days at the quarantine office; not relevant for most origins. | APQA — Bring a dog or cat to Korea (FAQ) |
| Advance notification / import permit | Not required | Korea issues no import permit and requires no prior customs appointment for a pet dog. | APQA — Import requirements for dogs and cats |
| Quarantine border inspection | Required | No exemption — every imported dog is inspected. | APQA — Bring a dog or cat to Korea (FAQ) |
| Puppies / minimum age | Titre exempt if ≤90 days | Age must be verifiable on the exporting country's health certificate. | APQA — Import requirements for dogs and cats |
| Extended detention | Conditional | Avoided entirely when all conditions are met before travel. | APQA — Bring a dog or cat to Korea (FAQ) |
🗓 In what order, and when
Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.
- ISO microchipFor dogs 90 days or older; ISO 11784/11785; implant before the rabies vaccination and blood sampling. The number must be recorded on the health certificate.
- Rabies vaccinationRequired for dogs from countries not designated rabies-free; it is the basis for the antibody test.
- Rabies antibody testNon-rabies-free origins, dogs ≥90 days: result ≥0.5 IU/ml, at an internationally approved laboratory or the exporting country's competent authority, valid within 24 months of blood collection.
- Government veterinary health certificateIssued by the government agency of the exporting country; must state the microchip number, the antibody test result and the animal's age, plus a health/no-disease statement.
- EU pet passportAccepted in place of the government health certificate when the exporting country is an EU member state.
- Nipah/Hendra virus certificationDogs from Malaysia need certification that the region was free of the virus, or a blood test within 14 days and 60 days in a virus-free area before export.
- Quarantine border inspectionAt the port of entry an APQA quarantine officer verifies the documents and performs a clinical inspection. If compliant, the dog is released on the day of arrival.
- Puppies / minimum ageDogs 90 days old or younger are exempt from the rabies antibody test but must have a microchip; the certificate must state the age.
- Extended detentionIf the microchip is missing or does not match, or the titre is absent or below 0.5 IU/ml, the dog is detained until the microchip and a titre ≥0.5 IU/ml are confirmed — at the owner's expense.
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
EU departures — passport may replace the certificate
When your dog leaves from an EU member state, an EU pet passport is accepted in place of the government health certificate. The rabies-status rule still applies: most of the EU is treated as rabies-free, so usually only a microchip and the passport are needed, but confirm your country's status on the APQA list.
⏱ EU departures: an EU pet passport may replace the government health certificate; the rabies-status rule still decides whether an antibody test is needed.
Rabies-free origin — no titre
From a country APQA designates as rabies-free, your dog needs a microchip and a government veterinary health certificate stating the microchip number and age. No rabies antibody test is required, and a compliant dog is normally released on the day of arrival.
⏱ Rabies-free origin: a few days — microchip plus a government health certificate; the dog is normally released on the day of arrival.
Not rabies-free — vaccination + titre
From a country not designated rabies-free, add a rabies vaccination and a rabies antibody test showing ≥0.5 IU/ml, done at an internationally approved laboratory or the exporting country's competent authority and valid within 24 months of the blood draw. The government health certificate must record the microchip number and the antibody-test result. A dog without a valid antibody test can be detained.
⏱ Not rabies-free origin: several weeks — rabies vaccination, then an antibody test ≥0.5 IU/ml (valid 24 months). Korea sets no fixed post-test wait, but lab turnaround takes time.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches Korea depends on whether every condition is met.
- At the port of entry (e.g. Incheon International Airport) an APQA animal quarantine officer checks the documents and inspects your dog.
- If the microchip matches the certificate, any required antibody test is ≥0.5 IU/ml and the clinical inspection is normal, the dog is released on the day of arrival.
- If the microchip is missing or mismatched, or a required antibody test is absent or below 0.5 IU/ml, the dog is detained until it can be identified and its antibody test confirmed — at the owner's expense.
- Korea-side fees apply where the agency acts: about 110,000 KRW per animal for a rabies antibody titration and 10,000 KRW to issue a health certificate.
- Carry the original government certificate, not copies.
- From the EU: the EU pet passport is accepted in place of the government certificate.
🛫 Leaving the country (return trip)
South Korea is non-listed, so a valid rabies antibody titer is mandatory to return to the EU — plus a government export certificate from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA).
- ⚠️ Start before you leave Anticipate the rabies antibody titer: blood test in an EU-approved lab, at least 30 days after vaccination — a valid result is essential to re-enter the EU and cannot be arranged at the last minute.
- On site, before the flight A vet completes the EU-model animal health certificate; APQA inspects the dog at export and provides the official government endorsement before departure.
🚫 Restricted dogs
South Korea does not ban the import of any dog breed, but it designates certain fighting/guard breeds as 'fierce dogs' (맹견) under the Animal Protection Act, with strict ownership conditions after arrival. Only official designation applies.
The designated fierce breeds are the Tosa (Japanese Mastiff), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Rottweiler, together with their crossbreeds. There is no outright import ban on these breeds.
Owning a fierce dog in Korea requires a permit from the city or provincial government, plus liability insurance and neutering, under the revised Animal Protection Act (in force since 27 April 2024). In public these dogs must wear a leash and muzzle and are barred from children's facilities.
Breeds sometimes listed elsewhere (e.g. Dogo Argentino) are not on Korea's official fierce-dog list. The list can change — verify the current designation and permit rules with MAFRA before you travel.
✈️ Airlines flying to South Korea with a dog
Carriers we document that serve this country and accept dogs. The verdict is the airline's general policy — it does not prejudge your breed, your crate or your exact route.
+33 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. 1 carrier serving this country is not listed here: refusal or undocumented pet policy. See all airlines →
🛂 Airports in South Korea
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
South Korea with a dog: common questions
South Korea: What does my dog need to enter?
South Korea requires: ISO microchip, Government veterinary health certificate, Quarantine border inspection.
South Korea: Is a rabies antibody test required?
South Korea — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Non-rabies-free origins, dogs ≥90 days: result ≥0.5 IU/ml, at an internationally approved laboratory or the exporting country's competent authority, valid within 24 months of blood collection.
South Korea: Are any dog breeds banned?
South Korea does not ban the import of any dog breed, but it designates certain fighting/guard breeds as 'fierce dogs' (맹견) under the Animal Protection Act, with strict ownership conditions after arrival. Only official designation applies.
South Korea: How long does it take to prepare a dog?
EU departures: an EU pet passport may replace the government health certificate; the rabies-status rule still decides whether an antibody test is needed. Not rabies-free origin: several weeks — rabies vaccination, then an antibody test ≥0.5 IU/ml (valid 24 months).…
South Korea: Do domestic flights have the same requirements?
Domestic flight in South Korea: no quarantine certificate for internal travel — those are issued for departures abroad only. Dogs aged 2 months and over must be registered with an RFID microchip — an ownership duty under the Animal Protection Act, not a travel condition.…
South Korea: What is needed to leave with a dog?
South Korea is non-listed, so a valid rabies antibody titer is mandatory to return to the EU — plus a government export certificate from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA).
South Korea: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
South Korea — Easy to moderate (depends on origin). MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Answers drawn from the official sources listed below; entry information last verified 11 July 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of South Korea and your vet before booking.