Pet Relocation to South Korea

Who can bring a pet?

This route is for personal dogs and cats presented for import quarantine inspection on arrival. The Korean quarantine agency assesses each pet and its paperwork at the entry port. Travelers bringing ten or more animals need advance notice and prior facility approval; commercial or ownership-transfer movements may follow different rules.

Microchip

The official quarantine certificate must include the pet’s microchip number. Make sure it can be scanned and that the number on the certificate, veterinary record and transport documents is identical before the Indonesian authority endorses the file.

Rabies vaccination

Keep the pet’s rabies vaccination valid and documented. The vaccine record should identify the animal and show the dates and product. The Korean embassy guidance says pets under 90 days or coming from a rabies-free country may be exempt from the titre test; Indonesia does not meet that stated exemption.

Rabies titre test

For a dog or cat over 90 days from Indonesia, obtain a rabies-neutralising antibody test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an accepted laboratory. The result must be recorded on the government quarantine certificate. Confirm sample validity and any timing requirements with APQA before testing.

Import permit

A separate routine import permit was not identified in the current APQA/embassy traveler guidance for a small number of personal pets. The official export-country quarantine certificate is central to entry. Ask APQA if your pet is under special breed, commercial, multi-animal or cargo circumstances.

Government documents

Obtain Indonesia’s official quarantine/health certificate stating the microchip number, pet age and rabies antibody result where required. Carry vaccine and titre records, owner and flight details, and the original endorsed certificate. APQA inspects the papers before customs clearance. Separately, when a pet actually leaves Indonesia, Barantin asks the sender to report the export through PTK Online and provide destination-required veterinary documents, vaccination records and, for dogs and cats, a protective rabies titre result. The pet is then presented at a designated exit point for quarantine inspection; an Animal Health Certificate is issued if requirements are met. If the final export is from a third country, use that country’s export certificate instead.

Quarantine and arrival inspection

If the documents and microchip are compliant, the pet can generally be released after arrival inspection. If the chip is missing or unreadable, or the titre evidence is absent or inadequate, quarantine may continue until the deficiency is resolved. Confirm the current fee and inspection hours with the arrival airport.

Airline requirements

Check whether the pet travels as cargo or accompanied baggage and book the animal with the operating carrier. Send the endorsed certificate and itinerary to the airline in advance, then confirm the APQA inspection location and arrival procedure at the selected airport.

Travel crate

The carrier sets the accepted crate, size and handling rules. Use a secure ventilated crate that lets the animal stand, turn and lie down comfortably. Get written acceptance for all flight segments, especially connections and seasonal temperature restrictions.

Timeline

The government certificate, vaccination record, titre lab result and airline booking must be ready together. Because APQA’s traveler guidance does not establish one universal processing timeline for every Indonesian pet, allow time for the official lab and quarantine office to issue and endorse documents.

Cost factors

Budget for veterinary care, rabies vaccination, accepted titre testing, Indonesian government inspection and certificate, air freight, crate, handling and any additional quarantine if records fail inspection. Ask the airport quarantine office for current inspection or detention charges.

Frequently asked questions

Is a titre test required for an Indonesian cat or dog?

Korean guidance exempts pets under 90 days and those from rabies-free countries. For an older pet from Indonesia, plan for a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml and confirm details with APQA.

Which certificate does the Korean officer need?

An official quarantine certificate issued by Indonesia’s competent veterinary authority that states the microchip number and qualifying titre result where applicable.

Will my pet be quarantined on arrival?

A compliant pet may be released after inspection. Missing identification or titre evidence can extend quarantine until the issue is resolved.

Official sources

Checked against the linked official sources on 24 October 2026. Rules can change; verify again before preparing your pet.

Pet relocation from Indonesia to South Korea