Export Live Animals to Korea
Summary of Requirements
The posted health certificate templates/formats are required to be used.
Note: Multiple animals may be recorded on one health certificate.
- Horses - Competition - Health Certificate (257.36 KB) - January 2025
- Horses - Protocol (135.48 KB) - November 2015
- Horses - Health Certificate (173.02 KB)
- Horses - Appendix 1 - ID Page (100.52 KB)
Note: For horses that are not microchipped
- Horses - Appendices 2 and 3 - EVA Vaccinated Horses (83.13 KB)
- Equine - Semen - Health Certificate (51.82 KB)
Note: Facility approval is required by Korean government.
- Cattle - Breeding Bulls - Protocol (81.57 KB)
- Cattle - Breeding Bulls departing U.S. after February 6, 2023 - Health Certificate (168.41 KB)
- Cattle - Breeding Bulls departing U.S. before February 6, 2023 - Health Certificate (173.41 KB)
- Bovine - Embryos - MAFRA Notification No. 2015-9 - Protocol (35.21 KB)
- Bovine - Embryos - Health Certificate (135.27 KB)
Note: Bovine Embryo Facilities/Teams must be APHIS approved and notified to Korea prior to export.
- Bovine - Embryos - Instructions to Create Health Certificate in VEHCS (79.03 KB)
- Bovine - Semen - Protocol (8.46 KB) - August 2003
- Bovine - Semen - Health Certificate (107.66 KB)
Note: After arrival in the Republic of Korea, the swine will undergo a 15 day quarantine and novel influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2v) antigen testing. The sample health certificate posted below is required to be used.
- Swine - Health Certificate (97.27 KB) - September 2014
Note: Due to HPAI, Ratite Birds, Hatching Eggs and Day-Old Chicks are not currently eligible for export to Korea. For zones eligible to export Poultry Day-Old Chicks please refer to HPAI Guidance and Restrictions link.
HPAI Guidance and Restrictions for Poultry (excluding ratites) (January 2026)
- Poultry - Day-Old Chicks - Protocol (407.9 KB) (November 2018)
- Poultry - Day-Old Chicks - Health Certificate (336.72 KB) (November 2018)
- Ratites - Protocol (6.55 KB) (June 1999)
- Ratites - Day-Old Chicks and Hatching Eggs - Protocol (6.4 KB) (May 1999)
- Pet Birds - Commercial - Health Certificate (49.91 KB)
Taking a Pet to Another Country?
Note: According to the National Fishery Products Quarantine Management Service (NFQS) of the Republic of Korea, aquatic animals not included in the Disease List for Aquaculture Health Certificate below are not designated quarantine commodities and can be imported into Korea without health certificates.
Note: The National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS) of the Republic of Korea has informed APHIS that no species of living-modified (e.g., genetically modified) ornamental fish and salmonid fish (including eyed eggs) are permitted for import to Korea. Should imported U.S. origin aquatic animals be identified as LMOs through import quarantine procedure, the animals in question may be destroyed.
- Amphibians – Health Certificate (175.32 KB)- July 2025
- Aquatic Animals - Health Certificate (91.02 KB) - February 2022 (also available within VEHCS)
- Aquaculture - Disease List for Aquaculture Health Certificate (97.38 KB) - March 2015
- Mice, Opossums, and Guinea Pigs - Laboratory - Protocol (31.5 KB) - January 2017
Note: No requirements for importation of reptiles, unless the species to be exported requires a CITES permit. If a CITES permit is needed, the importer should acquire an import permit from Korea’s Ministry of Environment.
- Ferrets - Commercial - All - Health Certificate (107.67 KB) - June 2021
Note: A health certificate for this commodity can also be generated through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). Commercial ferrets facilities must be APHIS approved and notified to Korea prior to export.
- Rabbits - Health Certificate (187.87 KB) - April 2021
Taking a Pet to Another Country?
If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.
Need Help?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments); issuance of health certificates; and status updates on certificate endorsement
Live Animal Industry Team
APHIS Veterinary Services' Industry Team offers commodity-specific expertise for live animal exports. Use the dropdown to contact us with questions about endorsing export health certificates.
Tips for Exporters and Accredited Veterinarians
Endorsement Services
- No in-person or drop-off services.
- For fastest processing, have your accredited veterinarian submit certificates through VEHCS.
- Routine APHIS VEHCS processing services are staffed Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time (CT), excluding Federal holidays. The time listed in VEHCS reflects GMT.
- Paper certificates are discouraged but may be mailed to one of our two paper endorsement offices (see addresses below).
Status Updates
Endorsement offices cannot confirm delivery or provide status updates. For updates:
- Contact your accredited veterinarian (they can check VEHCS status).
- Use your mail tracking number.
Important Tips
- Ensure accuracy and submit documents as early as possible within the allowed timeline of the destination country to avoid delays.
- Use overnight or Saturday delivery when mailing.
Mailing Addresses
- USDA-APHIS
Attn: VETS
920 Main Campus Dr., Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606 - USDA-APHIS
Attn: VETS
10365 Old Placerville Rd., Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95827