Before booking, confirm current requirements with the Thai DLD, your airline and the destination-country authority.
Source check details
The regulated claims and authority links cited on this page were checked on 1 August 2026. Export rules change without notice. Confirm with the DLD and the destination authority before booking.
What South Korea requires
Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) admits a pet dog or cat on documents and inspection, not on an advance licence:
- A government export quarantine certificate issued by the Thai DLD
- Microchip identification
- Rabies vaccination history
- A rabies neutralising antibody titre of 0.5 IU/ml or higher, with the MOFA page stating the test must be within 24 months before boarding
- Declaration on arrival — tick the animal box on the customs declaration form and present your pet to a quarantine officer before customs
The AIP exempts pets under 90 days old and pets coming from rabies-free countries from the antibody-result requirement. Thailand should not be treated as a rabies-free origin without current APQA confirmation. Noncompliant identification, certificates or antibody evidence can trigger quarantine action; this page does not promise same-day release.
Official conflict at exactly ten animals: the AIP says advance APQA permission is needed for more than 10 dogs or cats, while the Korean MOFA embassy page says ten or more. These sources conflict for a group of exactly ten. Obtain written APQA direction before booking rather than choosing the more permissive wording. AIP; MOFA.
Thai-language procedural guidance is withheld pending specialist review. Confirm arrangements with the responsible DLD station. Reviewed English guidance: bringing pets to Thailand (USA-origin scope; not an export rule or a reviewed translation). Source retained for disclosure, not approved guidance: DLD source.
The timeline — work backwards
| When | Step |
|---|---|
| Before travel | Rabies vaccination and a qualifying antibody test, unless an official exemption applies; MOFA states the test must be within 24 months before boarding |
| Guidance withheld | Confirm this step with the responsible DLD station; Thai procedural guidance remains withheld. Guidance limits and reviewed English source. |
| Arrival | Declare the animal on your customs form; APQA inspection at Incheon |
Departing from Pattaya or Bangkok
Most exports use Suvarnabhumi. Allow road time from Pattaya. See Suvarnabhumi AQS (import mirror) for how the station operates.
Common mistakes
- Using a result older than the MOFA window — that source states a 24-month maximum before boarding.
- Guessing at exactly ten animals — the AIP and MOFA thresholds conflict; ask APQA in writing.
- Assuming Thailand’s entry paperwork covers Korean entry.
- Not declaring the animal on the customs form at Incheon.
If you came the other way, see our guide to From South Korea (import).
Departing from Pattaya — confirm the port and DLD sequence
Confirm this step with the responsible DLD station; Thai procedural guidance remains withheld. Guidance limits and reviewed English source. Source retained for disclosure, not approved guidance: DLD procedure; DLD AQS map.
Using an agent is optional
An agent cannot change government or airline rules. If you request assistance, obtain an itemised scope and verify each regulated requirement directly with the authority. PattayaPets has not independently measured agents’ prices, error rates or outcomes.
Official sources
Korean sources: Korea Aeronautical Information Publication; Korean MOFA embassy guidance. Import mirror: bringing a pet from South Korea.
Official sources to verify against: DLD Region 9 export procedure.
Frequently asked
Does South Korea require a rabies titer test from Thailand?
The published route requires a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, with exemptions in the AIP for pets under 90 days and origins designated rabies-free. The MOFA page states the test must be within 24 months before boarding. Confirm how APQA applies any exemption to the individual animal.
Do I need advance permission or an import licence for Korea?
The ordinary route relies on the government export certificate, identification and antibody evidence. For group size, the AIP says permission above ten while MOFA says ten or more. Exactly ten is unresolved in the reviewed official sources, so obtain written APQA direction. Commercial movements may follow different controls.
How long does Thailand-to-Korea pet export take?
Confirm this step with the responsible DLD station; Thai procedural guidance remains withheld. Guidance limits and reviewed English source.
Can my pet enter Korea through Incheon airport?
Yes. APQA’s Incheon Airport Regional Office inspects arriving pets. Tick the animal box on your customs declaration form and present the pet and certificate to a quarantine officer before customs.
What Thai documents does APQA expect?
The DLD export permit and export quarantine certificate, plus vaccination records and an antibody result whose microchip number matches every other document.
Should I use a relocation agent?
An agent is optional. Ask for an itemised scope and verify APQA, DLD and airline requirements directly; PattayaPets has not independently measured agent outcomes.
Can I fly my pet out of U-Tapao?
Confirm this step with the responsible DLD station; Thai procedural guidance remains withheld. Guidance limits and reviewed English source.
How should I plan the transfer to the departure airport?
Use a vehicle that accepts the animal and crate, confirm the airline’s check-in cut-off and leave route-specific contingency time.