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The Complete Guide to Transporting Pets to South Korea

13.04.2024
Полное руководство по перевозке животных в Южную Корею

Transporting pets to South Korea (Seoul) is a process that requires careful preparation and strict compliance to ensure the successful importation of your pet. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the basic rules and steps required to transport a dog or cat.

1. Age and Vaccinations

Your pet must be at least four months old when entering South Korea. The rules allow for the possibility of importing animals under this age, but this is associated with a number of difficulties, including the impossibility of obtaining a veterinary certificate without rabies vaccinations. This requirement is an essential element for obtaining the necessary documents to enter the country.

After reaching the age of three months, the animal (dog or cat) must be vaccinated against rabies. It is important that the vaccination is carried out no earlier than 30 days before entering South Korea, and the vaccine must be current at the time of entry.

2. Microchipping

All animals imported into South Korea must be microchipped. The microchip must comply with the international standard ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). The microchipping procedure must be completed before the first rabies vaccination so that the microchip can be indicated on the veterinary documents. If your pet is microchipped with a different standard, you will need your own scanner to read the microchip upon entry into the country.

3. Required documents

To import a pet into South Korea, you will need to provide the following documents:

– A veterinary passport indicating all vaccinations, including rabies vaccination and microchipping.

– An International Veterinary Certificate of the form, obtained from a government veterinary clinic before departure,

– A health certificate from a veterinarian confirming that the pet is free of infectious diseases and parasites.

4. Rabies antibody titer test

If your pet is not arriving from a country recognized as rabies-free by South Korea, a rabies antibody titer test will be required. The antibody level must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. This test is performed after vaccination and is necessary to confirm that the animal is protected from rabies.

The antibody test can be done in accredited laboratories and the results must be received no earlier than 30 days before departure and no later than 2 years before travel. In case the antibody titers are below the acceptable level, the pet may be quarantined upon arrival.

5. Transportation of pets on the CARGO principle

If your pet is transported unaccompanied (on the CARGO principle), you need to take into account several important points:

– In this case, you will be required to provide an invoice, which will be used for customs clearance upon arrival in South Korea.

– Your pet will be kept in a special cage in the cargo compartment of the aircraft and will be transported in conditions that comply with international standards for the transportation of animals.

6. Quarantine and potential checks

If all requirements are met (vaccinations, tests, microchipping and documents), the animal can be released from quarantine. However, if there are any discrepancies in the documents or vaccinations, the animal may be quarantined for up to 21 days for a health check and additional tests.

Upon arrival, your pet must undergo a veterinary check at the airport quarantine department. If the microchip or antibody test does not meet the requirements, the animal may be detained for quarantine with additional tests at the owner’s expense.

Transporting pets to South Korea requires careful preparation. It is important to ensure that your pet is microchipped, vaccinated, and has passed all necessary tests. Don’t forget to prepare veterinary documents and make sure that they comply with the requirements of the Korean authorities. Following these guidelines will ensure a smooth importation process and a comfortable journey for your pet.

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