Pet Travel to South Korea from the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide for Dogs & Cats

Step 1 — Apply for the Export Health Certificate (EHC 3908)

For pet travel to South Korea from the UK, you’ll need to request EHC 3908 through the UK EHC Online system once your travel plans are confirmed and your export timeline is set.

Best timing: 👉 Apply around 2–3 weeks before your planned travel date

We guide clients on the exact submission timing to make sure certification lines up correctly with the final pre-export checks and appointment availability.

Step 2 — ISO Microchip

For pet travel to South Korea from the UK, your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785).

Requirements:

• The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination used for travel

• The microchip number must match all documents exactly

• If your pet has a non‑ISO microchip, the owner must provide a compatible scanner on arrival

Important: Any mismatch in microchip details can create a quarantine risk.

Step 3 — Large number of pets (4 or more animals)

If 4 or more dogs or cats are travelling together as part of pet travel to South Korea from the UK:

• Advance notification must be submitted to the Korean Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency (QIA)

• Prior approval for quarantine facility use is required

• This must be arranged before travel

For 1–3 pets → this step does not apply.

Step 4 — Final clinical examination & EHC issue

Your pet must be examined by an Official Veterinarian (OV) within 48 hours before transport.

At this appointment the OV will:

• scan and verify the microchip

• review vaccination and laboratory reports

• perform a full clinical examination

• confirm the animal is free from signs of infectious or contagious disease — including distemper, rabies, and external ectoparasites

• confirm the animal is fit to travel

• complete and sign EHC 3908

Timing requirement:The pre-flight clinical examination and final certification must be completed no more than 48 hours before departure.

🔎 Important Note for Pets Travelling from the United Kingdom

For pet travel to South Korea from the UK, the United Kingdom is recognised as a rabies-free country.

As a result, under the current UK Export Health Certificate, the following are not mandatory:

• Rabies vaccination

• Rabies antibody titre (blood) test

• Routine/core vaccinations

• Internal or external parasite treatments

These measures may be recommended for general animal health and airline compliance, but they are not compulsory import requirements for pets originating from the UK.

Whether you’re ready to begin or still figuring things out, we’re here to help.

Send us an enquiry or get in touch via our contact form, and we’ll walk you through the process from start to finish — ensuring everything is done correctly, without stress or uncertainty.

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