A dog or cat moving from the United States to South Korea needs an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and a rabies titer test, and pets that meet the rules are usually released the same day with no quarantine. No carrier publishes a rate for this lane, so freight is priced per booking. Figures checked August 2026.
Airlines price live animals on chargeable weight: whichever is greater, the actual weight or a volume figure worked out from the crate. For pets the volume figure almost always wins, which is why crate size drives the flight cost more than the animal does. The volumetric divisor is the industry standard 166 cubic inches per pound.
No carrier publishes a live animal tariff for the South Korea lane, so freight is priced per booking once the crate size and dates are known. For scale, published long-haul lanes carry minimums of $690 to $720 plus a $150 processing fee, and a large crate frequently bills at 60 to 70 kilograms of chargeable weight. Our cost estimator shows how the other lines add up while freight is quoted.
| Cost | Amount | Who charges it |
|---|---|---|
| USDA export endorsement | $160 per certificate, in the 1 to 2 test band with the titer | USDA APHIS |
| Rabies titer test, lab fee | $79 to $90 | Laboratory |
| IATA crate | $65 to $378 depending on size | Retailer |
| Vet exam, certificate, blood draw | Set by your clinic | Your vet |
| Quarantine | Usually same day release for pets meeting the rules | Animal quarantine at arrival |
The endorsement is per certificate, not per pet, so two animals on one certificate share it.
Your vet sets their own fees. The examination, the certificate paperwork and any blood draw are priced by your clinic and vary between practices. Ask your vet directly. Every laboratory we checked states plainly that the draw is the clinic’s charge, not theirs.
Ground transport at either end is quoted per route. Our coordination fee is included in the total we quote you and itemised on your invoice.
Crate size is the single biggest lever, because it drives chargeable weight. Direct routings cost more per kilogram than they look but remove transfer handling. Season matters too: summer heat embargoes narrow booking windows, and winter cold rules do the same on some routings. Two pets on one certificate share the USDA endorsement, while each extra pet adds its own crate and freight.
Export process from USDA APHIS, US to South Korea. Checked August 2026.
Send us the route, the breed and roughly when you want to travel. Request a quote and we will reply with an itemised plan, a timeline and clear next steps.
For entry rules and the full paperwork timeline, see our guide to pet shipping requirements for South Korea.
Last updated 31 August 2026
© 2026 Pet Travel Advisors. All rights reserved.
