Can I bring cats, dogs and ferrets to South Korea?
- Official classification
- Cats and dogs
Declare
You can bring cats, dogs and ferrets into South Korea, but you must declare it.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 입국시 Incheon Airport Main Customs, Korea Customs Service
Questions about Cats and dogs in South Korea
- Do I have to declare cats, dogs and ferrets at South Korea customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to South Korea customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare cats, dogs and ferrets in South Korea?
- Under 관세법 제81조제1항제1호, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. Under 관세법 제282조제2항, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under 관세법 제241조제5항제1호: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed.
- Can I post or ship cats, dogs and ferrets to South Korea instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Can I take cats, dogs and ferrets out of South Korea?
- South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking cats, dogs and ferrets out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the South Korea limit for cats, dogs and ferrets apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) states it in 입국시. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “위의 물품을 반입 시 입국장에 있는 농림축산검역본부에 반드시 신고해야 함”
- How does South Korea compare with other countries on cats, dogs and ferrets?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cats, dogs and ferrets, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. South Korea is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 입국시 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 관세법 [법률 제21858호, 시행 2026. 8. 11.] · verified 2026-09-20
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — south-korea postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 입국시 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) — 입국시 · verified 2026-09-19