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Pet Transport from South Korea to China

Moving a pet from South Korea to China is one of the more demanding routes in East Asia. China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) requires a FAVN titre test, a 180-day wait from blood draw, and a mandatory 30-day …

Lead time needed36-44 weeks
Quarantine stayNot required
Route complexityVery High
Airlines5 on this route
Service levelFully managed
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Route at a glance
FromSouth Korea
ToChina
Preparation36-44 weeks
ComplexityVery High
QuarantineNo
Related routes
Pet Transport China to South Korea→
Step by step

The import process, step by step

Every step must be completed in sequence. Starting early is critical: a missed deadline can add months.

1
Starting point for entire sequence.
ISO 15-digit microchip implanted before any vaccination

Responsible: Your vet

2
After microchip. At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination (must be within 12 months of travel)

Responsible: Your vet

3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after last vaccination. 2-4 weeks for results.
FAVN titre test at GACC-approved laboratory

Responsible: Your vet + GACC-approved lab

4
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened.
180-day wait from blood draw date

Responsible: N/A

5
At least 4-6 weeks before travel.
Apply for import declaration and confirm entry airport with GACC

Responsible: You or agent

6
Once travel date confirmed.
Book Korean Air or Asiana Cargo ICN to Chinese city

Responsible: You or agent

7
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain APQA health certificate in GACC format

Responsible: Official vet + APQA

8
Pre-book and pay quarantine facility before travel.
Arrive at GACC-designated entry port. 30-day quarantine at approved facility.

Responsible: GACC facility + you

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter China

Every item below must be completed and verified. We manage and cross-check each one.

Entry into China
Microchip
Required (ISO 15-digit). Must be implanted before any vaccination.
Required
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 30 days before travel. Must be administered after microchipping and within 12 months of travel.
Required
Rabies titre test
Required for most countries, including South Korea. FAVN test at a GACC-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after most recent vaccination. 180-day wait from blood draw date before entry into China.
Critical
Quarantine
Mandatory. Dogs: 30 days at a GACC-approved quarantine facility in China, at owner's expense. Cats from some approved countries: 7 days. South Korea is not on the reduced quarantine list for cats, so 30-day quarantine likely applies.
Critical
Import permit
Required. Only one dog or one cat per person per year. Import declaration required at customs.
Required
Health certificate
APQA-issued health certificate in GACC format, within 10 days of travel.
Required
Leaving South Korea
Export permit
No formal export permit for personal pets. APQA issues the export health certificate.
Required
Health certificate
APQA health certificate in GACC format, issued within 10 days of travel. Must confirm 15-digit microchip, two vaccinations, titre test result, and current health status.
Required
Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo fees ICN to Chinese city
IATA-compliant crate
FAVN titre test fees
APQA health certificate and endorsement
GACC-approved quarantine facility fees (30 days, at owner's expense)
Import customs duties
Agent fee (strongly recommended)

Critical points

China's 30-day quarantine for dogs is strictly enforced and paid by the owner. Budget for this when planning.

Only one dog or one cat per person per year is permitted. Multi-pet households face significant restrictions.

GACC requirements change frequently. Always verify current rules with an agent or GACC directly before making arrangements.

The 180-day wait from titre test blood draw cannot be shortened under any circumstances.

Airlines

Carriers approved for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book live animal cargo correctly.

KO
Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo operates ICN to multiple Chinese cities (PEK, PVG, CAN). Familiar with GACC import documentation. Direct routes available.
Cargo Only
AS
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines Cargo from Incheon to Chinese hubs. Direct services to Beijing and Shanghai.
Cargo Only
CH
China Southern Airlines
China Southern Cargo from ICN to CAN (Guangzhou) and other Chinese cities. Chinese carrier familiar with GACC handling requirements.
Cargo Only
AI
Air China
Air China Cargo ICN-PEK. Beijing-based carrier. Familiar with Beijing customs arrival procedures.
Cargo Only
CH
China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Cargo ICN-PVG (Shanghai). Shanghai hub. GACC-experienced handling.
Cargo Only

GACC requirements: what South Korea triggers

South Korea is not on China’s simplified entry list, so pets from Korea face the full GACC protocol. The sequence is fixed: ISO 15-digit microchip (before any vaccination), then rabies vaccination, then FAVN titre test at a GACC-approved laboratory with blood drawn at least 30 days post-vaccination, then 180 days from the blood draw date before travel.

On arrival in China, dogs face 30 days of mandatory quarantine at a GACC-approved facility. This is a separate and additional requirement on top of the pre-travel waiting period. Quarantine costs are paid by the owner and vary by city and facility.

GACC also restricts entry to specific approved airports. Confirm your intended arrival airport is on the approved list before booking flights.

One-per-person rule and breed restrictions

China enforces a strict one dog or one cat per person per year import limit. If you’re moving as a family with two dogs, this creates a real challenge. Consult a specialist agent early if you have more than one pet.

Some breeds are also restricted in specific Chinese cities. Beijing, for example, bans a range of large breeds. Shanghai and other cities have their own lists. Confirm breed restrictions for your destination city well before making travel arrangements.

Airlines from Incheon to China

Seoul Incheon is well-connected to China. Korean Air Cargo and Asiana Airlines Cargo both serve multiple Chinese cities directly from ICN. Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern all operate cargo services from Seoul, and as Chinese carriers they have strong familiarity with GACC arrival procedures.

Confirm which entry airport you’re using before booking cargo. Your pet must arrive at a GACC-designated port of entry, and not all Chinese airports are approved for live animal imports.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow 36-44 weeks. The FAVN titre test (blood drawn 30 days post-vaccination) and the 180-day pre-travel wait are the longest steps. Then add 30 days of mandatory quarantine on arrival in China.
Yes. China’s GACC requires a FAVN titre test from pets originating in South Korea. Blood must be drawn at a GACC-approved laboratory at least 30 days after the last rabies vaccination. A 180-day wait from the blood draw date applies before entry.
Yes. Dogs face a mandatory 30-day quarantine at a GACC-approved facility in China, paid by the owner. This is separate from the pre-travel waiting period. Quarantine facilities must be pre-booked.
China’s GACC limits imports to one dog or one cat per person per year. Two dogs require two separate individuals as importers. Consult a specialist agent for multi-pet household situations.
Korean Air Cargo and Asiana Airlines Cargo both operate direct ICN-China routes. Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern are Chinese carriers with strong familiarity with GACC arrival procedures. Choose an airline routing to a GACC-approved entry airport for your destination city.

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