Relocating your family to South Korea

When you relocate to another country with your pets, you can face uncertainty and experience some emotional challenges. Choosing PetAir allows them to take on all of your worries (most of them at least) that you may have. The team understands that your pets are very much part of your family, and they will guide you through the entire process with their knowledge and relative ease. It’s important to understand that PetAir has an experienced team in South Korea who will be on hand every step of the way and take the worry out of travelling.

What is the process?

We firstly recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to ensure the smooth running of your relocation. Please start the process as soon as you have your relocation confirmed because it can take a few months. There can be unplanned setbacks or delays with vaccination requirements, animal illness or administration errors.

Recruit PetAir

The rules and regulations surrounding pet importation are often changing. You can breathe easily with PetAir. They have fully trained experts that understand the importance of your pets and the ever-changing landscape. They will make sure that your pets meet the import requirements. Each pet must be fully vaccinated and be at least three months old. 

Banned breeds

Although it is not illegal to own certain dogs in South Korea, aggressive behaviour is not tolerated. South Korea’s agriculture ministry categorises Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, and other related mixed breeds as being fierce dogs and will need to be muzzled and on a leash in public places. 

Vaccinations

It’s essential to ensure that your pets have all of the relevant vaccinations within the stipulated times. Each vaccination must be administered at least 21 days and no longer than one year before arrival into South Korea. 

Dogs

• Bordetella
• Parvovirus (DHLPP)
• Hepatitis
• Canine Distemper

Cats

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
• Calicivirus
• Panleukopenia (FVRCP)

Rabies Vaccine and Certificate

Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Your vetinerary surgeon will provide you with a certificate that states the microchip number, the validity of the vaccination, and the date of inoculation. Rabies vaccines are valid for one, two or three years. The vaccine must be the inactivated variety. The vaccine must be administered between 30 days and 12 months before your pet’s flight into South Korea. 

Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titer Test (RNAT) for Cats and Dogs

Once your pet has had their rabies vaccination, you will need to wait approximately four weeks before collecting a blood sample for the RNAT test. The test must meet the following requirements:

• A government-approved vet must scan the cat’s microchip and collect the blood sample for the RNAT testing in an approved country
• The microchip number must be recorded accurately on the blood tube and laboratory submission form
• The test is to be carried out by the competent authority approved laboratory in the country of export. It is possible to draw blood in one approved country and have it tested in another approved country
• The testing laboratory must use either a fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation (FAVN) test or a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT)
• The laboratory report must be in English and written on the testing laboratory’s letterhead. It must include:

• the cat’s microchip number
• the blood sampling date and location
• the signature of the person issuing the laboratory report
• the test type and test result

• A result of 0.5 IU/ml or more is acceptable. A result of less than 0.5 IU/ml is not acceptable and you must re-vaccinate and repeat the testing process.
• The RNAT test is valid for 24 months from the date of blood sampling. If the RNAT test is more than 24 months old at the time of export, it is not valid, and you must have your cat re-tested

Countries that South Korea consider rabies free

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Microchip

The authorities will only identify your pets with a microchip, and the corresponding vet stamped pet passport. A microchip is an integrated identification circuit placed under the skin of your pet. The rice grain size chip uses passive radio-frequency identification technology. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered. The Thai government accepts microchips that comply with AVID 9 or AVID 10 and ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785.

Import Permit

You only need an import permit if you are travelling with five or more cats or dogs. If you want to bring over 10 pets, you must, in advance, submit a notification form to the Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency (QIA) to obtain approval to use the animal quarantine facilities. 

Veterinary Certification

You will need an official health certificate that states the name, age, description and microchip identification number of each pet within 10-days of your flight. The microchip identification number is 15-digits long. Without this, the government could deny your pet entry into the country. 

The government states that the certificate must also include the following information before export:

• The animal has been examined and found to be healthy and free from any clinical sign of rabies and infectious or contagious diseases 
• The animal has been vaccinated against rabies using an approved anti-rabies vaccine
• The vaccination history and health status of your pet
• That your pet is healthy enough for air travel 

Make at least four copies of the certification and vaccination records for the following:

• Airline
• Pet travel crate
• Transit permit (if necessary)
• One for you

Quarantine

Any pets that do not meet the above requirements will be quarantined for enough time to conform to requirements upon arrival in Korea.

Additional Information

There are no restrictions on the number of pets imported, but the local South Korean authorities might have local regulations about the number of pets that can be kept in residential premises.

You are required to obtain all of the necessary permits that will allow you to import your pets into South Korea. PetAir can also help you arrange the import permit on your behalf. 

We hope that this reassures you, but should you need more specific advice, please let the helpful team at PetAir help, they are all delighted to help you.