Anlmal,Plant and Flsherles Quarantine and Inspection Agency

All travelers bringing cats or dogs to the Republic of Korea must adhere to the following procedure.

import of cats and dogs younger than 90 days or originating from rabies-free countries

- Although cats and dogs younger than 90 days or originating from rabies-free countries do not require prior vaccination against rabies, it is mandatory that they have microchips implanted in them. Their owners must submit to the animal quarantine officer at the port of entry a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country which states the animal's microchip number and birth date.

- A cat or dog whose accompanying documentation has been verified and whose health has been confirmed through a clinical examination at the port of entry may be released on the day of arrival. However, an animal without a microchip or whose microchip number is not the same as that on the certificate may be quarantined for an extended period of time to have a microchip implanted, at the owner's expense.

Import of cats and dogs aged 90 days or older

- A microchip implant and a rabies-neutralizing antibody test are mandatory for cats and dogs aged 90 days or older originating from countries that are not rabies-free. The rabies-neutralizing antibody test must be administered by an internationally approved laboratory or by the competent authority of the exporting country within 24 months after collecting blood samples.

- ※ For a list of internationally approved laboratories for rabies antibody tests, visit:
Taiwan : http://www.baphiq.gov.tw/en/view.php?catid=14261
EU : http://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/approved-labs/index_en.htm

- Upon arrival to Korea, a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country confirming the animal's microchip number and the result of the rabies antibody test must be submitted to the animal quarantine officer.

- A cat or dog whose accompanying documentation has been verified and whose health has been confirmed through a clinical examination at the port of entry may be released on the day of arrival. However, an animal without a microchip or whose microchip number is not the same as that on the certificate, as well as an animal that has not received a rabies-neutralizing antibody test or whose rabies-neutralizing antibody titer is below 0.5IU/㎖, may be quarantined for an extended period of time to have a microchip implanted or to undergo a rabies antibody test, all at the owner's expense.

※ If you don't bring health certificate with your cats or dogs, your cats or dogs have to return to exporting country, all at the owner's cost as well.

※ The average extended period for quarantine is 10 days, and this period can be extended more depending on the case.

Advance notification for the import of cats and dogs

- Travelers bringing ten or more cats and/or dogs to Korea must submit an advance notification form to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and obtain prior approval for the use of an animal quarantine facility.

Additionally required documentation

- Cats imported from Australia and cats and dogs imported from Malaysia required an additional certificate confirming that there has been no cases of Hendra and Nipah virus disease in exporting country or state(only larger than republic of Korea), or that the animal produced a negative result in a Hendra and Nipah virus test(within 14days prior to export) and the animal has been kept in an area where no cases of Hendra and Nipah virus were reported for 60 days prior to departure. Without such a certificate, the quarantine period will be extended by 21 days.