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Taking a pet out of South Korea
There is no single rulebook for leaving South Korea — the destination country sets the requirements, so the papers, tests and waiting periods depend on where you are going. Below are the 6 routes from South Korea we have verified so far, covering Canada, Germany and the United States. Every route page is checked against two official sources — the destination government's import rules and the export guidance for leaving South Korea — and carries its own "last verified" date. How early you need to start depends on the route; see how far in advance to prepare, and how we check every rule.
Dogs leaving South Korea
Dog: South Korea → the United States
Yes — and on the US side this is close to paperwork-free. South Korea is not on the CDC's high-risk list for dog rabies, so the only US federal document is the free CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Your dog must be at least 6 months old, carry a microchip a universal scanner can read, and appear healthy on arrival — and can enter at any port. No rabies vaccination certificate, no blood test, no facility reservation. Korea adds its own exit step: an APQA export quarantine inspection at the airport before you fly.
Simple rulesDog: South Korea → Canada
Yes — Canada is one of the simplest destinations in the world for a pet dog, and Korea is no exception. There is no quarantine, no blood test, no import permit and no federal microchip requirement for a personal pet dog. The one document that matters is a proper rabies vaccination certificate — in English or French, signed by a licensed vet, identifying your dog and showing the vaccine's trade name, serial number and validity. Korea adds its own exit step: an APQA export quarantine inspection (₩10,000) at the airport.
Strict rulesDog: South Korea → Germany
Yes — but plan about 7 months, because of one fact most people get wrong: South Korea is NOT on the EU's listed-country list. That means the full non-listed protocol applies — microchip, rabies vaccination, then a rabies antibody blood test at an EU-approved laboratory (sample at least 30 days after vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml or higher), then a 3-month wait from the sampling date before your dog may enter Germany. The EU animal health certificate must be endorsed by an official vet (APQA) within 10 days before entry. There is no quarantine if every step is right — and no shortcut around the wait.
Cats leaving South Korea
Cat: South Korea → the United States
Yes — cats have the lightest US federal rules of any route on this site. There is no CDC form for cats, no federal rabies vaccination proof, and no USDA animal-health requirement for a pet cat entering the US. Your cat must appear healthy on arrival and can be inspected at the port of entry. Korea adds its own exit step: an APQA export quarantine inspection at the airport before you fly. Check your destination state and your airline — they, not the federal government, are where cat rules live.
Simple rulesCat: South Korea → Canada
Yes — Canada is one of the simplest destinations in the world for a pet cat, and Korea is no exception. There is no quarantine, no import permit and no federal microchip requirement for a personal pet cat. For a cat 3 months or older you need a veterinarian's certificate — in English or French — showing it is currently vaccinated against rabies. Korea adds its own exit step: an APQA export quarantine inspection (₩10,000) at the airport.
Strict rulesCat: South Korea → Germany
Yes — but plan about 7 months, because of one fact most people get wrong: South Korea is NOT on the EU's listed-country list. Cats follow the same non-listed protocol as dogs — microchip, rabies vaccination, then a rabies antibody blood test at an EU-approved laboratory (sample at least 30 days after vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml or higher), then a 3-month wait from the sampling date before your cat may enter Germany. The EU animal health certificate must be endorsed by an official vet (APQA) within 10 days before entry. There is no quarantine if every step is right — and no shortcut around the wait.