Shipping Pets

Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae falls under the Army's rules for importing pets, and we use the Army veterinary clinic in Daegu, South Korea.

If you intend to ship a pet to the Republic of Korea, contact your local veterinarian to learn about specific shots and additional medical advice, including breed restrictions. The export process can involve getting a health certificate, updating vaccinations, completing disease testing and having your paperwork reviewed and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The Republic of Korea requires that dogs, cats and other pets be current on their rabies vaccine (given at least 30 days prior to arrival in Korea), have an International Standards Organization-compliant microchip, receive a rabies neutralization antibody test – also called a FAVN or Titer test (0.5 IU/ml or higher) – and be accompanied by a valid health certificate with government endorsement.

For the most current information on importing and exporting pets between the United States and the Republic of Korea, see the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.

During registration of your pet, you will receive information about the procedures for the non-combatant evacuation of your pet.

Note: Your pets must have a current rabies vaccination, within one year, and are required to be microchipped for permanent identification purposes. The installation commander will determine any exceptions to this policy. Pet owners are responsible for picking up and properly disposing of animal waste no matter where they are on the installation. Owners must not allow animals to disturb neighbors with constant barking, destroying property or threatening actions. Animals showing this type of behavior will be removed from housing. Owners are not allowed to abandon their pet.

For more information, go to https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/site/newcomers/pets-guide.asp

Here is a check list you might want to think through before relocating with pets:

• Are my pets healthy enough to make the long flight and will they require extensive medical care during my tour?
• Where will I be assigned housing, on or off base?
• How many pets do you currently have? (There is a limit of two pets per family.)
• Are my pets well behaved or do they have a history of biting people either out of fear or aggression?
• Are you unaccompanied or command sponsored, bringing your family?
• Do I have a bird or rabbit or an exotic animal like a snake or other reptile?
• When I go on leave, temporary duty travel, or to the field, who will take care of my pets?
• Does my pet meet the requirements for entering Korea without being quarantined?
• Does my pet deal well with noise and traffic?

1. Korea allows importation of no more than four animals per person.*

• Customs clearance is required upon entry into Korea. Service members must present travel orders and pet documentation at the Customs desk to request the Status of Forces Agreement import tax waiver. Pets imported more than 6 months after initial entry will be assessed an import duty.
• Pets shipped separate from the service member or their family may incur additional costs when they travel as air cargo. Owners should discuss the details of these costs with the transportation broker prior to shipment.

2. Dogs and cats less than 90 days of age at entry are not required to have been vaccinated and are exempted from Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization testing requirements.

3. Pet travel from the United States/CONUS area:

• Original health certificate (APHIS Form 7001) issued by an accredited veterinarian (endorsed by a U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarian unless signed and stamped by a Military/GS veterinarian in both blocks with a valid certificate number) must be presented at time of entry. All health certificates must include original signatures, in blue ink. No copies will be accepted.

4. Pet travel from locations outside of United States/CONUS area:

• Consider contacting the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency office directly or through your sponsor to confirm the travel documentation for your pet’s travel.
• Original health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian from the host nation, e.g. certificate and kennel stamp from the Japanese export veterinarian or a European Union pet passport signed and stamped by a German government veterinarian, must be presented at time of entry.
• Members are directed to contact the serving veterinary treatment facility for assistance. All health certificates must include original signatures. No copies will be accepted.

5. International Organization for Standardization compliant microchip (ISO11784 or 11785):

• Mandatory for all dogs and cats regardless of age. Microchip number should be stated on official health certificate.
• Pets that do not have ISO compliant microchips should have a compliant microchip placed prior to travel or the owner should transport a microchip reader.

6. Rabies Vaccination:

• Rabies vaccination should be performed at least 30 days prior to and be within the reported expiration date (1 or 3 year vaccination) at the time of arrival.
• Although not ideal, rabies vaccination may be performed prior to microchip placement. Animals from a Rabies free country, according to current OIE standard*, must be microchipped with an ISO compliant microchip and be presented with an official health certificate but no FAVN test is required.

*Japan, Taiwan, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Iceland, Guam, Hawaii, Samoa, Cayman Islands, French Polynesia, Martinique, Department of Reunion, Wails and Futuna, Albania, Dominican Republic, Macedonia, Lichtenstein, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Fiji, Singapore, Jamaica, United Kingdom

7. Rabies Antibody Test (FAVN) for cats/dogs over 90 days old:

• Result should be equal or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.
• Result should be stated in the remarks section (Block 9) of the health certificate (APHIS Form 7001). The name of the laboratory conducting the test and the date the sample was drawn must also be listed in the remarks section (See appendix A).
• Original test result report, not a copy, must be presented at time of entry.
• https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/site/newcomers/pets-guide.asp

Note: Tests performed from 21 September 2012 through 1 January 2014 are not considered valid due to complications with the EU certification

ii. Kansas state FAVN results are only valid for 2 years for entry into Korea.

Any dog or cat presented for entry that does not meet these requirements could be returned to their point of origin on the next available flight at owner’s expense.

Animals that are not returned to their point of origin will be placed in quarantine:

• Quarantine will be at the owner’s expense until compliance is met. Quarantined animals will be housed at an official approved Korean quarantine facility, which on average costs $20-50/day.
• Quarantine release for a dog or cat will be dependent on resolution of the deficiency:
  • Valid health certificate from an official veterinarian, e.g. APHIS form 7001, must be the original and endorsed correctly.
  • No microchip:
    • An ISO compliant microchip must be placed.
  • In complete/improper rabies vaccination, absent/deficient rabies antibody titer not greater than 0.5 IU/mL:
    • Revaccination for animals as appropriate.
    • Test will be performed by Korean government lab at owner’s expense at around $250.
    • Animals with results less than 0.5 IU/mL will be held until the anti-body response to revaccination results in an adequate titer.

There are no pet boarding kennels available at Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae, but they are available locally in Chinhae and Busan. Service members or families can make recommendations.

Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae, Korea, does not have a veterinary treatment facility. However there are many veterinary hospitals and groomers around the base and in Busan that can assist with cats and dogs.

The closest on-base veterinary clinic to CFAC is at Camp Walker in Daegu an hour and a half away.

VTF U.S. Army Garrison Daegu - Camp Walker Building S-341

Appointments are available daily. Contact them at:

• Com: 0503-364-4708 
• DSN: 315-764-4708
• International: +82-503-364-4708

Hours of operation: Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays over-the-counter sales only. The clinic is closed on federal holidays and at non on the last working day of the month.

The veterinary clinic makes periodic visits to base, which are coordinated through the medical clinic.

Dogs must be immunized annually against rabies, distemper multivalent with leptospirosis, and must be tested for heartworm infection and maintained on heartworm preventative with dewormer year-round.

Cats must be immunized against rabies, feline panleukopenia virus multivalent, and be tested for parasites and/or dewormed at least annually.

All animal deaths must be reported immediately to the VTF.

For more details about the VTF on Camp Walker, visit: https://phcp.health.mil/Commands/Veterinary-Readiness-Activity-Korea/Camp-Walker/

Visit the 106th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support (106th MED DET VSS) at https://phcp.health.mil/Commands/Veterinary-Readiness-Activity-Korea/Camp-Humphreys/ For an appointment, call DSN 315-737-9720/9721.

Pet Policy

On-base regulations state that all animals must be on a leash at all times. It is always the owner's responsibility to control their pet, not the citizen's responsibility to avoid the animal.

Animal bites will be reported to the nearest medical treatment facility. The animals involved will be required to undergo a 10-day quarantine, which may be at home but is at the installation veterinarian's discretion.

Animals involved in more than one bite, or those involved in a serious bite incident, may be banned from base. It is your responsibility to have your pet vaccinated annually for rabies.

Upon in-processing with the housing division, applicants who are authorized to bring domestic pets to Korea must initiate a pet registration form. By signing this form, applicants acknowledge that they have read, understand and will comply with all provisions outlined in the community policy. All animals residing on government installations must be registered within 10 days of arrival.

On-base animals must also be microchipped. Bring your vaccination records with you and you will be issued a current rabies tag. Animals are vaccinated yearly for rabies in Korea. Dogs and cats require certificates of immunization for rabies prior to registration.

Other required immunizations must be completed in accordance with the schedule provided by the veterinary treatment facility.

Animals, with the exception of bona fide health assistant animals, are not be permitted to enter:

• Tennis courts
• Swimming areas
• Exchange facilities
• Commissaries
• Theaters
• Bowling lanes
• Bachelor officer quarters/bachelor enlisted quarters
• Dining facilities
• Playgrounds
• Gymnasiums
• Picnic areas
• Athletic fields
• Clubs
• Any other facility where food or drinks are served