Dog or cat from the Dominican Republic to South Korea

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering South Korea

      ISO microchip

      Every dog and cat must have a microchip. It should be ISO-compliant (ISO 11784 and 11785); with any other chip you must bring your own scanner. Its number must match the one on the health certificate.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: An animal without a microchip, or whose chip number doesn't match the certificate, may be quarantined longer so one can be implanted at the owner's expense.

      “Microchips implanted in cats and dogs must be ISO-compliant (ISO11784 and 11785 standards). For any other chips, importers must bring their own microchip scanners.”

      “it is mandatory that they have microchips implanted in them.”

   2. Blood testEntering South Korea

      Rabies blood test (antibody titer)

      Dogs and cats aged 90 days or older that come from a country not on APQA's rabies-free list need a rabies-neutralizing antibody test at an internationally approved laboratory (or by the exporting country's competent authority). The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml and is listed on the health certificate. Pets under 90 days old, or from a rabies-free country, do not need it.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Our age cut-off is 3 calendar months at arrival (APQA says 90 days): a pet whose 90th day falls just before its 3-month birthday in a long month is treated as under 90 days. If your pet is that close, ask APQA.

      Labs: APQA points to the EU's list of designated laboratories and Taiwan's list of approved laboratories.

      If this is missed: An animal that has not had the antibody test, or whose titer is below 0.5 IU/ml, may be quarantined for an extended period (average about 10 days, longer in some cases) to have the test done, at the owner's expense.

      “The rabies-neutralizing antibody test must be administered by an internationally approved laboratory or by the competent authority of the exporting country within 24 months after collecting blood samples.”

      “whose rabies-neutralizing antibody titer is below 0.5IU/㎖”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. Vet examLeaving the Dominican Republic

      Health certificate from a vet, with an up-to-date vaccination record

      Take your pet to a vet for a health certificate. Bring an up-to-date vaccination record with a current rabies vaccination and a current parasite treatment, a microchip where your destination requires one, and any extra document your destination asks for (such as a rabies blood test). Get the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) signature and stamp when it is required.

      Details and the official words

      “Certificado de salud emitido por médico veterinario.”

      “Récord o tarjeta de vacunación actualizado.”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente.”

      “Documentación adicional exigida por el país de destino (Serología vacuna de Rabia).”

      “Obtener firma/sello del COLVET cuando sea requerido.”

   2. PaperworkThe Dominican Republic and South Korea

      Health certificate from the exporting country's government

      A health certificate issued by the government agency of the country your pet is leaving. It must show the microchip number and birth date, and for pets aged 90 days or older not from a rabies-free country, also the rabies antibody test result. You hand it to the animal quarantine officer on arrival.

      Details and the official words

      APQA's pet page doesn't say how many days before arrival the certificate must be issued. Ask the exporting country's authority and APQA.

      DIGEGA validates the documents; official inspection at the port of exit: Present the documents to DIGEGA (Ciudad Ganadera, Santo Domingo, Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm) to be signed and stamped (RD$ 500), and complete the VUCE single-window process where it applies. DIGEGA answers within 1 to 24 hours. Then go to the port of exit, where an official vet inspects your pet and issues the zoosanitary certificate.

      “a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country confirming the animal's microchip number and the result of the rabies antibody test must be submitted to the animal quarantine officer.”

      “a health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country which states the animal's microchip number and birth date.”

      “Presentar la documentación ante DIGEGA para validación (Firma y sellado).”

      “Realizar el proceso correspondiente en VUCE cuando aplique.”

      “Dirigirse al puerto de salida para la inspección veterinaria oficial y emisión del certificado zoosanitario correspondiente.”

      “Lunes a Viernes de 8:00 am – 4:00 pm”

      “1-24 Horas”

      “RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA; conviene validar si existen costos adicionales asociados al trámite/VUCE o al destino.”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. On arrivalEntering South Korea

      Quarantine inspection at the port of entry

      On arrival the quarantine officer checks your documents and your pet's health with a clinical exam. If all is in order your pet may be released the same day.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: Animals with missing or mismatched microchip, missing antibody test or low titer may be quarantined for an extended period at the owner's expense.

      “may be released on the day of arrival.”

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the Dominican Republic.

The trip back asks for 6 steps: vet examination within 72 hours before departure, internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination, rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure and rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure and more.