Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TK421]

My recruiter has changed my flight two times now from Seattle to Korea and now I'm flying Seattle to Narita, Narita to Busan whereas before I was flying straight to Incheon, then to Busan. I'm taking a cat, but from what I read, it's in Incheon airport where they inspect the pets at the National Veterinarian Research and Quarantine Service. What is going to happen when I fly into Busan instead of Incheon?

Has somebody brought a pet from their country straight to Busan's Gimhae airport? Will they let me? What's the process? I can't find information. Anything would be very useful.

[Freeghen]

I brought my dog here from Canada, but I arrived in Incheon.
However, I don't think there would be much difference in procedures between Incheon and Gimhae. I had to do extensive research and make a number of calls as well as I kept getting different information everywhere I looked.
As long as you have the correct shots and paperwork for your pet, your cat should not even have to go into quarantine. I had no problems entering Korea with my dog. The check took about 10mins.

What I am concerned about is that you are entering Japan. Make sure that you don't have to have paperwork for that country. Although you are not staying in Japan and it is merely a stopover, some countries require paperwork just for that. I took a direct fight mainly for that matter (to avoid all the hassle) and because I didn't want my dog spending the extra time in his cage.
Double check on the Narita website for this.

If you are still having problems finding info for Gimhae, look online for the airport information number and call them - someone SHOULD speak English....but you never know. If that doesn't work, call Incheon.

[TK421]

I'm having trouble finding out what is done when traveling with a cat from Seattle Narita to Gimhae. Anyone know anything about that? Someone is bound to have experienced something similar to my situation.

[Brooks]

I would look into what the Japanese require.

There is a quaratine period in Japan, but for transfering, I don't know

[venus envy]

You should give National Veterinarian Research and Quarantine Service a call and see what they say. I would think they have inspectors in Busan, but this is Korea so who knows.

I'd also call Narita and find out about what you'll need for them. Is it a long layover or can you stay on board and wait? I had my cats shipped less than a year ago and they had a layover in Narita. Because they never left the plane (cargo), there was no need for any paperwork for that airport. *bol*

[neandergirl]

Slightly different but I took my little dog from Busan when we moved to Thailand - there is a full-fledged animal inspection center there (upstairs from the ticket/check in counters).

[sjk1128]

I agree with the other posters. You should be concerned about Japan. They are hard core when it comes to animals even transiting through their country. We looked into the process last year, and it takes about 6 months from start to finish: chip implanation, live vaccine, testing for antibodies after a certain time period passes.... It doesn't matter if your pet has already been vaccinated. You have to start from the beginning if you didn't follow the specific procedures they stipulated. The chip has to be a certain kind. If they scan your critter and it doesn't register in their system they will quarantine it for a loooong time and you will have to pay for it.

That was how I understood it. Korea's requirements are nothing compared to Japan's. I think you can just show them a record of your pet's rabies shots and you're good to go.

[TK421]

Damn! Well my layover in Tokyo is only one hour. The cat will just be transferred from one Northwest plane to another Northwest plane. Do you really think Japanese immigration or customs would be involved with that? I find that hard to believe. I STILL can't find answers after numerous phone calls.

There has to be someone who has flown with a pet from their country, through Japan, to Korea and knows whether its just a simple matter of the cat changing planes and no extra paperwork needed beyond Korea. Anybody??? Please???

[uhnothanks]

I was just looking into this recently because I'm planning to take my dog to Korea when I find a job. I found this thread from the animalrescuekorea.org message board that may be helpful: http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2079

If not, that might be a better place to ask this question anyway.

[TK421]

Thank you so much for that link. Looks like I'm fine. Nobody else has had a problem in transit through Japan. Thanks a lot, that's relieving!

[venus envy]