Preparations and Factors to be considered before dispatch

• Necessary arrangements and check in advance
  • A health certificate issued by the vetarinary authority of the exporting country confirming the animal's microchip number and the result of the rabies antibody test
  • The injection is to be taken 30 days prior to the planned dispatch so that the immune system is developed against the disease.(USA requires that the dogs are vaccinated 28 days before traveling and it should be 3 months(12 weeks or 84 days) after their date of birth.)
  • The proof of injection against rabies must be obtained in advance as the majority of countries require it. The rabies-neutralizing antibody test must be administered by an internationally approved laboratory or by the competent authority of the exporting country before maximum 24 months prior to boarding.
  • Certain countries may impose embargo on cats/dogs to be imported from countries where cases of rabies were detected. If such cases should arise or there is an extra quarantine period required, the shipper will burden any and all extra expense incurred as a result thereof.
  • Check with CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) if the animal is not acceptable for air transport.
• The import regulations in the destination
  • The customer (or an agent) must obtain the import permission from the related authorities in the destination.
• Most international shipment cases are processed through agents specializing in airfreight, as such, an agent that the customer prefers must be chosen. (About 10 to 14 days prior to the dispatch)
  • Cats/Dogs are accepted for air transport only for KE ONLINE routes.
    To find an agent, please contact the Korean Air Office in your region.
• Cats/Dogs are accepted for air transport only for KE ONLINE routes

  

• Implement of Quarantine Reinforcement for Dog/Cat (Effective 1st of December, 2012)
  • Microchip must be transplanted and the transplant number must be entered on the quarantine certificate.
  • Rabies vaccination record, Antibodies value must be entered on the quarantine certificate.
  • EU PET Passport and the quarantine certificates issued by Korean government are accepted.
    (Microchip number, listing for rabies antibody test results related issues are required)
• Please refer to the reinforced Quarantine of Dog/Cat for Korea bound in the following
  • Frequently Asked Questions
      FAQ
  • Revised animal quarantine procedure for Dog/Cat
      Revised animal quarantine procedure for Dog/Cat
  • Homepage for Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine & Inspection Agency. Download the Brochure
      Brochure

Considering the Suitability for Air Carriage (Age Factor)

• America bound
  • For commercial resale purposes : Must be over 6 months (180 days) old
  • For private petting Purposes : Must be over 4 months (120days) old
    The purpose for shipment (Commercial resales or Private petting) is to be indicated on the Shippper’s Certification.
• Other than America bound :
  • must be over 3 months (90 days) old. (Check the Quarantine regulation of Destination)
    Reference website(Check age restrictions of state) : APHIS(Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)

Required Documents

• Quarantine Certificate (Issued by Quarantine station, usually a local office is located near the airport)
  • When applying for a Quarantine Certificate, the followings must be indicated (in English) : Kind of the animal, Gender, Age, Area of birth, the names and addresses of the shipper and the consignee)
• Shipper’s certificate (to be completed in duplicate) The Format of the Certificate (The form can be obtained at the airport) 
     The Format of the Certificate

Cage Standard Requirements

• Cage size = Dog/Cat size + enough space to turn about normally (at least over 6 inch of length and 4 inch of height)
• The usage of cages with all six sides of metal mesh is not allowed according to IATA LAR at least 2 sides (the floor and ceiling mandatory) must be made of solid surface.
• The dogs of violent nature, such as Pitbulls, and/or whose actual weight exceeds 30 kg. The cages must be made of solid wood/metal or rigid plastic cages. In case of animals of such characteristics.

Restrictions (International Animal Transport and Quarantine Office Regulations)

• According to IATA LAR, the females in heat(oestrus), females with suckling young, unweaned animals (dogs/cats) and the animals under 3 months in age are not acceptable for air transport.
• There is an extra quarantine period required for cats/dogs imported from countries where cases of rabies were detected. If such cases should arise the shipper will burden any extra expense incurred thereof.
• Countries where cases of rabies were found
  • All countries except Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Guam, Hawaii, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Singapore, United Kingdom, etc.
  • There are countries that impose total embargo on cats/dogs imported from countries where cases of rabies were detected. Ex) Indonesia. The shipper must check for embargo practices of the respective country.
• Providing food and water for the animals is solely shipper’s responsibility and a carrier can not do so of its own accord.
  • The only exception is that if, the flight duration exceeds 12 hours, then the representative of the carrier can provide food/water for the animals according to the instructions affixed to the cage. The shipper has the responsibility to affix special feeding and watering instructions to the container.
• Stocking Density
  • In general one cage contains only one dog/cat.
    Other restriction or exception need to check each country’s state variations
  • There are restrictions depending on the ventilation/oxygen supply, maximum allowed number of cages and other transport restrictions according to aircraft type.
• Snub nosed Dog & Cat
  • Snub nosed Breeds of dogs and cats

    Type	Species
    Dog      (20species)	Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog  Cane Corso, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux  English Toy, Spaniel (King Charles Spaniel), Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso   Newfoundland, Pekingese, Pug, Shar Pei, Shin Tibetan, Spaniel
    Cat      (6species)	British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold

  • Acceptable Station (19 Station)

    Region	Station
    USA (12)	ATL, DFW, CHI, HNL, JFK, LAS, LAX, SEA, SFO, WAS, YYZ, YVR
    EUR (5)	CDG, DXB, FRA, MOW, ZAZ
    OCN (1)	AKL
    KOR (1개)	ICN

  • Summer season embargo : 7/1 ~ 9/30 on departure date
  • Indemnity letter by shipper :  Indemnity letter by shipper

Rodents

• Korean Air prohibits the transportation of rodents for the safety of aircraft.
• Rodents : Mouse, Hamster, Mole, Squirrel, Beaver, Chinchillas, Guinea Pigs, Rabbit, etc.
  Hedgehog, Weasel are acceptable for the transportation.

Primates

• In order to protect the extinct animal, Korean Air prohibits the transportation of Primates for experimental purpose.
• Primates : Monkey, Orangutan, Chimpanzee, etc.
  Exceptions : For the purpose of zoo exhibition, pet.

Shark’s Fin

• In order to protect animals, Korean Air prohibits the transportation of Shark’s Fin.

Forbidden Live Animal on the passenger flight

• Pig, Goat, Sheep : They can make Stench or Noise.
• Snake : Passenger may feel disgust/horror.