Pet travel from the United States to Korea

Last Modified: March 26, 2024
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Welcome! This page will guide you through the rules and requirements for traveling internationally with your pet.

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Before You Start the Process

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

With help from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, you can learn more about your destination country's entry requirements for pets, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments. We recommend creating a schedule to make sure you meet all requirements within the specified timeframe.

Gather This Information for Your USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

  • The type of pet traveling
  • The destination country
  • If applicable, countries where your pet will stop (for customs clearance or upon leaving the airport or seaport) on the way to the destination country
  • The date of departure from the United States
  • Whether the pet will be traveling alone, as cargo, or with a person in the cabin of the plane
  • Note: If you're traveling with a pet bird or exotic animal, you may need to work with additional agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1.41 MB) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read These Resources

Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type

Rabies vaccines and tests

Rabies vaccines must be current and given prior to arrival in Korea. Rabies vaccine is not required for pets under 90 days old.

A rabies-neutralization antibody test (0.5 IU/ml or higher) must be completed*.  A rabies-neutralization test is not required for pets under 90 days old.

Microchip

The pet(s) must have an ISO-compliant microchip*

Health Certificate

The pet(s) must be accompanied by a valid health certificate (188.81 KB) issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by USDA.

International Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats (188.81 KB)

* If the rabies neutralization antibody test and/or the microchip implantation could not be done prior to shipping (or the test is more than 24 months of departure), they can be done after arrival in Korea.

However, even in this case, a valid USDA endorsed health certificate is required.  Animals that have not been microchipped and/or had a rabies-neutralization antibody test performed will likely be held in quarantine at the owner’s expense until any procedures or lab tests have been completed.  Please contact South Korea using the link below for confirmation and additional information.

Bringing Dogs and Cats to Korea (Quarantine Inspection Website)

For military personnel traveling under official orders, you can find additional information at: https://www.korea.amedd.army.mil/default.html

Pet ferrets originating from Hawaii or Guam are not required to have rabies vaccinations or rabies titer tests prior to travel, as they are considered by Korea to be regions free from rabies.

All other U.S. origin ferrets are required to be current on their rabies vaccinations and have a rabies titer test taken more than 3 months, but less than 12 months, prior to travel. Titer test must be conducted at approved laboratories.

International Health Certificate for Ferrets (207.23 KB)

International Health Certificate for Rabbits (432.4 KB)

* This health certificate may only be used for personal pet birds that are traveling with an owner/agent.

* If the bird is intended for commercial purposes upon arrival OR is traveling via cargo, you must use the commercial pet bird health certificate found here

International Health Certificate for Birds (105.77 KB)

For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.

Country of Destination Contact Information

World Organisation for Animal Health: Members

U.S. Department of State: Foreign Embassies and Consulates

Important Travel Considerations

If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:

If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under “Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate should be used. View a list of EU countries.

Considerations for airline travel:

Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what requirements they may have.

View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates.


Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?

View the Requirements

ALERT: Read the CDC Notice of Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States From Countries Classified as High Risk for Dog Rabies.

 

Information for Accredited Veterinarians

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For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

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Save Time and Money With VEHCS!

USDA-accredited veterinarians can submit health certificates for electronic signature through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System).