Korean Job Discussion Forums

SweetBear · Joined: 18 May 2003

When you are heading out of Korea and taking your pet with you, are there any special procedures that need to be taken care of?

If the pet is travelling in Cargo, do you need to drop them off somewhere or do you check them in with your luggage and the airline takes care of it?

Do you need to fill out any export papers or go through any other office?

Any advice appreciated.
thanks,
sb

Joseph Fitzgerald · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

You need to take your pet to the vet first , and they have to do some paperwork.

gdimension · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Location: Jeju

I'm guessing paperwork will be determined by the country that you are bringing them into.

I brought my dog to the US last year, and I had to have documents from the vet (translated) and some (one?) from the Korean government (already in English - but the dog had to be seen at some office for me to get that paper). We had a big dog (golden retriever), and he was stuck in the pressurized cargo hold. Needless to say, he was happy to get out of that crate when we arrived!

BTW, make sure your crate is an "approved" one with your airlines. We got our dog to Incheon last year, only to be told that they couldn't take him in what we had for him, so we had to buy another one on the spot (W150,000). It was a much better one, but I wish we had known sooner...

I would do a quick internet search on your country's customs requirements.

canuckistan · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:36 am Post subject:

Shots need to be given at least 1 month in advance, with a signed certificate. A visual health check may be required 10 days prior to leaving Korea with a signed health certificate as well.
This paperwork is what you need to leave Korea with. The country/state you are flying to may have strict quarantine regs despite the shots, (like Hawaii) check ahead.

For large dogs, you ask your travel agent to reserve a spot in pressurized cargo when you buy your tickets. Don't leave it to the last minute as there may not be space left anymore. There will be a charge to transport. Smaller pets may be allowed in the cabin if they're carriers meet the under-the-seat dimensions. Those are pretty small and for such a long flight not recommended.
The travel agent will tell you the minimum dimensions of the pet carrier required by the airlines and in turn ask you the dimensions of the carrier you intend to transport your pet in.
We transported a cat and I bought something pretty roomy for a pressurized cargo spot given it was going to be such a long flight.

Vets sell carriers that are airline approved for solidity. Collapsible, soft-shelled carriers aren't accepted. Your pet must have a water bottle/dish as well.