Pet Transport from South Korea to Italy

All three EU destinations apply identical requirements to South Korean-origin pets. The FAVN titre test, 90-day wait, and health certificate are universal across Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands.

The difference is at destination level. Italy has no national breed ban, making it the most permissive of these three for breed-sensitive moves. Portugal’s Lei 9/2009 requires owners of certain breeds (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and others) to register and licence their dog after arrival. The Netherlands bans Pit Bull Terriers at the national border.

Logistics also differ. Italy has a direct Korean Air service from Incheon to Rome, removing hub complexity. Portugal and the Netherlands typically require connections, with Lisbon and Amsterdam both well-served from Korean hubs via European carriers.

South Korea’s IPPC (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) oversees all animal export health certification. An IPPC-registered vet must issue the health certificate for Italy-bound pets. Most large veterinary practices in Seoul, Busan, and other Korean cities work with or can refer to IPPC-registered vets; international pet relocation agents in Korea have established relationships with suitable clinics.

The FAVN titre test must be conducted at a European Commission-approved laboratory. South Korea has EU-approved labs in Seoul and other major cities; your vet or agent will confirm which labs hold current approval status. The standard testing timeline applies: blood draw 30 days after vaccination, results in 2-4 weeks, then the 90-day wait begins from the passing result date.

The IPPC health certificate format for EU entry is well-established. South Korean vets who work with international clients regularly produce these certificates. One practical point: the certificate must reference EU import regulations (Regulation 576/2013) specifically. A certificate that uses a generic format without this reference may cause delays at Italian customs. Use a vet who is familiar with EU export documentation.

Korean Air’s direct service from Incheon (ICN) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is the cleanest routing for South Korea to Italy pet moves. The flight takes approximately 12 to 13 hours and Korean Air’s cargo team at Incheon is experienced with live animal handling. Korean Air Cargo accepts dogs and cats; in-cabin is generally not available for pets on long-haul routes, so most animals travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold.

Book cargo space well in advance. Korean Air limits animals per flight and peak summer and holiday periods fill quickly. When requesting a cargo quote, provide the pet’s breed, weight, and IATA crate dimensions. For oversized crates, cargo rates rise accordingly.

One point to watch: Korean Air has a restricted breed list for cargo that includes several brachycephalic breeds. French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese, and similar breeds may face seasonal restrictions or outright embargoes on long-haul flights in summer. If your dog is a flat-faced breed, confirm this with Korean Air before booking.

At Rome Fiumicino, Italian Ministero della Salute inspectors handle live animal arrivals at the dedicated border veterinary post. Allow two to three hours after your flight for the inspection process. Bring all original documents in carry-on luggage. The inspection covers the microchip (scanned against the certificate number), titre test report (original), vaccination records, and IPPC health certificate.

Budget USD 900-2,200 for Korean Air cargo depending on pet size, USD 200-400 for the FAVN titre test, and KRW 50,000-150,000 for the IPPC health certificate. A professional agent (USD 500-1,200) is worth the cost for managing the 90-day calendar, titre test coordination, and Italian customs documentation.