FR
France
✈️
KR
South Korea
Pet Transport from France to South Korea
3-6 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Low
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
Overview
France to South Korea benefits from APQA’s EU low-risk classification. No titre test, no extended waiting period, no quarantine. Preparation runs 3-6 weeks if your pet’s microchip and vaccinations are current. Direct cargo from Paris to Seoul Incheon on both Air France and Korean Air.
Step by step
The France to South Korea process
1
Standard for French pets.
STEP 1: Confirm microchip (15-digit ISO) is current and pre-vaccination
Responsible: French vet
2
If lapsed, vaccinate. No extended wait required for EU pets.
STEP 2: Confirm rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: French vet
3
As soon as travel date is confirmed.
STEP 3: Submit APQA advance notification (at least 5 days before arrival at ICN)
Responsible: You or agent
4
2-4 weeks before travel.
STEP 4: Book Air France or Korean Air Cargo CDG-ICN
Responsible: You or agent
5
Within 10 days of travel.
STEP 5: DDPP-endorsed health certificate in APQA format
Responsible: DDPP-authorised vet + DDPP
6
3-4 hours before departure.
STEP 6: Cargo check-in CDG. APQA inspection at ICN on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo + APQA
Checklist
South Korea: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785 15-digit). Before vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required and current. Post-microchip. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for pets from EU member states. France is EU, APQA treats EU countries as low-risk. No titre test, no extended wait. |
| Quarantine | No routine quarantine for compliant pets from France. APQA inspection at Incheon on arrival. |
| Import permit | Not required for companion animals. Advance APQA notification at least 5 days before arrival mandatory. |
| Health certificate | DDPP-endorsed health certificate in APQA format. Within 10 days of travel. |
Leaving France
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit for personal pets from France. |
| Health certificate | Official health certificate endorsed by DDPP in APQA format. Within 10 days of travel. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Air France or Korean Air Cargo fees CDG-ICN |
| 2 | IATA-compliant crate |
| 3 | DDPP health certificate endorsement |
| 4 | APQA inspection fee at ICN |
| 5 | Agent fee (optional) |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 5-day APQA advance notification is mandatory. Missing it causes delays at Incheon.
⚠ No titre test required from France, preparation is 3-6 weeks rather than 22+.
⚠ Health certificate must be in APQA-accepted format and within 10 days of travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Air France
Air France Cargo CDG-ICN direct. National carrier of origin with strong CDG cargo. Primary recommendation.
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo CDG-ICN direct. Korean national carrier with deep APQA familiarity at Incheon.
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Cargo CDG-ICN. Alternative Korean carrier.
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt FRA to ICN. Brachycephalic breeds restricted.
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore SIN to ICN. Temperature-controlled cargo.
Regulatory requirements: France to South Korea at a glance
| Requirement | Status |
|---|---|
| Microchip (ISO 15-digit) | Required: before vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination | Required: current |
| Titre test | NOT required (EU country) |
| Quarantine | NOT required for compliant pets |
| APQA advance notification | Required: at least 5 days before ICN arrival |
| Health certificate | DDPP-endorsed, APQA format, within 10 days |
| Import permit | Not required |
| Complexity | Low |
| Preparation time | 3-6 weeks |
Source: APQA South Korea. Verify before starting.
Air France or Korean Air: two direct options
Air France Cargo operates direct CDG-ICN. As France’s national carrier, their Charles de Gaulle cargo team handles live animal departures regularly. Korean Air Cargo operates the same route as the Korean national carrier, with deep APQA arrival familiarity at Incheon. Both are direct services and both are reliable for this route. The choice comes down to schedule availability on your preferred travel date.
The 5-day APQA notification: the one thing to get right
APQA requires advance notification to the quarantine station at Seoul Incheon at least 5 full days before your pet arrives. This is the administrative step most commonly missed in France-to-Korea moves, not because it’s difficult, but because it gets overlooked in the focus on health certificates and cargo booking.
Your cargo agent handles this as standard. If you’re managing the move yourself, submit the notification the moment your cargo space is confirmed and your travel date is set. Five days is the minimum; earlier is better.
FAQ
Common questions
No. France is an EU member state and APQA treats EU countries as low-risk. No titre test and no extended waiting period are required.
3-6 weeks if your pet’s microchip and vaccinations are current. The main timing constraints are the APQA 5-day advance notification and the DDPP-endorsed health certificate within 10 days of travel.
APQA requires the quarantine station at Seoul Incheon to be notified at least 5 days before your pet’s arrival. Your cargo agent submits this. Missing it causes inspection delays at Incheon.
No routine quarantine. APQA conducts an inspection at Incheon on arrival. With complete documentation from an EU country, your pet is typically released the same day.
Air France Cargo and Korean Air Cargo both operate direct CDG-ICN services. Air France has CDG departure familiarity; Korean Air has APQA Incheon arrival familiarity. Both are sound choices.
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