Pet Transport Brazil to South Korea: 2026 Guide

South Korea’s Quarantine Inspection and Animal Statistics (QIAS) authority classifies countries by rabies risk. Brazil falls into the rabies-endemic category, which triggers a more involved arrival process compared to pets coming from rabies-free countries.

The requirements begin before travel: your pet needs an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and an FAVN titre test with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or above. The blood draw must be at least 30 days after the vaccination. You also need to notify QIAS in advance of your pet’s arrival; this is separate from the health certificate and should be arranged through your transport agent.

The health certificate itself must be completed by an accredited vet using the Korean import format, endorsed by MAPA. This is not the standard EU-format certificate: it follows Korean QIAS requirements, and errors in format or content can cause delays at Incheon.

On arrival at Incheon International Airport, your pet enters the QIAS inspection facility. For pets arriving from rabies-endemic countries such as Brazil, the standard quarantine period is 5 to 10 days. During this time, QIAS vets examine the animal and verify all documentation. Once the inspection is complete and your pet is cleared, you can collect them from the facility.

The QIAS facility at Incheon International Airport handles live animal arrivals. Your pet arrives as cargo, and QIAS takes custody for the inspection period. The facility has kennels for dogs and separate areas for cats. The environment is functional rather than home-like, but animals are fed, watered, and monitored by QIAS staff throughout.

The 5 to 10 day range reflects the fact that QIAS may complete the inspection in less time if all documents are perfect and the initial health checks are clear. In practice, most pets from Brazil complete the process in around 5-7 days. Delays tend to happen when paperwork has gaps or when the titre test results raise questions.

You can visit your pet at the facility during the quarantine period in most cases, though visiting times and procedures vary. Your transport agent in South Korea should advise on the current visiting policy at the Incheon QIAS facility.

Quarantine fees are payable to QIAS and vary by the length of stay. Budget approximately KRW 150,000 to 400,000 for the full quarantine period, though fees can vary. Your pet transport agent can provide a more precise estimate based on your pet’s size and expected inspection duration.

Korean Air Cargo is the most direct option for the GRU-ICN route, connecting through intermediate hubs. Korean Air Cargo staff are familiar with QIAS documentation requirements, which is useful when coordinating pre-arrival paperwork.

LATAM Airlines connects from GRU to various North American or European hubs with onward Korea cargo connections. Asiana Cargo is another Incheon-based option. All long-haul routings from Brazil to South Korea involve at least one connection.

Cargo costs from GRU to ICN typically run USD 1,500-3,500. Pet size drives the cost: a small cat in a compact crate costs significantly less than a large breed dog in a reinforced 700-series crate. Add the titre test, MAPA certificate endorsement, vet fees, and QIAS quarantine charges, and total costs from Brazil to South Korea generally fall in the USD 2,500-5,500 range for most pets.