Pet travel from the United States to South Korea
What you need, in order
- Microchip recorded (ISO 11784/11785)
- Rabies vaccination valid (Applies from 90 days old)
- Rabies antibody titre (FAVN ≥ 0.5 IU/mL) (Applies from 90 days old)
- Korea International Health Certificate (VEHCS, APHIS-endorsed within 30 days)
Recommended lead time: start about 60 days before travel.
Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-18. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.
Check my trip for this corridorRequirements
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Microchip recorded (ISO 11784/11785)
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Rabies vaccination valid
Applies from 90 days old
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Rabies antibody titre (FAVN ≥ 0.5 IU/mL)
Applies from 90 days old
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Korea International Health Certificate (VEHCS, APHIS-endorsed within 30 days)
Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.
Owner checklist
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Microchip before the rabies vaccination
The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination used for the titre, or QIA may not accept the vaccination history.
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Animals under 90 days: rabies vaccine AND titre exemption
Dogs/cats under 90 days old are exempt from BOTH the rabies vaccine and the rabies-neutralization titre (QIA/APHIS: "Rabies vaccine is not required for pets under 90 days old" / "A rabies-neutralization test is not required for pets under 90 days old"). Over-90-day animals from the US need both. The engine models this (min_age_days: 90 on both the rabies and favn_titer requirements) when the pet's date of birth is on file — if DOB is missing, both checks still fire (conservative).
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Be ready for on-arrival inspection at QIA
Documents + animal checked at the port of entry. Carry originals + copies.
Still decided outside Petra
- The Korea International Health Certificate (VEHCS) is completed and APHIS-endorsed outside Petra (Phase 2); Petra records that it was accepted, not that Petra issued it.
Primary sources
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency — import of dogs and cats — QIA (South Korea) (retrieved 2026-06-23)
- Pet Travel From the United States to Korea — USDA APHIS (via Wayback Machine mirror — live aphis.usda.gov resets automated GETs from this build environment) (retrieved 2026-09-05)
- Pet Travel From the United States to Korea (live re-fetch) — USDA APHIS (retrieved 2026-09-18)
Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead do I need to start?
Petra's recommended lead time for the United States to South Korea is 60 days before travel.
Does my dog or cat need a rabies titer test?
Yes — Rabies antibody titre (FAVN ≥ 0.5 IU/mL). Applies from 90 days old
How long is the health certificate valid?
Korea International Health Certificate (VEHCS, APHIS-endorsed within 30 days)
What is this based on?
Petra's South Korea (QIA) ruleset for this corridor, last reviewed 2026-09-18 (see Primary sources below).
Is this verified?
Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-18. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.
Other destinations from United States
Planning a trip? See what pet owners need to prepare.