How to Transport Animals from Korea to the US

Cats and Dogs

• 1

  Take your pet to the veterinarian at least 30 days prior to your departure date. Make sure the rabies vaccination for your dog is current. If not, the vaccination must be given at least 30 days prior to and no more than one year before your flight. Cats do not require rabies vaccinations. Ask for a health certificate certifying your pet has seen a veterinarian and is free of communicable diseases.

• 2

  Acclimate your pet to the kennel before your travel date. This helps prevent stress during travel.

• 3

  Walk your pet once you reach the airport to allow him to relieve himself. Flights from Korea take hours and pets will not have a chance to go to the bathroom after check-in.

• 4

  Attach food and water dishes to the door of the kennel before reaching the airport check-in desk. Fill each tray with food and water.

• 5

  Enclose your pet's veterinary documents in a waterproof bag before the flight. Tape all paperwork to the top of the kennel at check-in.

Birds

• 6

  Decide if it is truly worthwhile to bring a bird back from North Korea. Due to the bird flu, restrictions on importing birds are very strict. It is currently illegal to import any bird from South Korea.

• 7

  Print a copy of the USDA's import application for birds. Fill it out completely, including phone contact information. Make sure to write out phone numbers correctly because officials need to call you to pick up your bird/s following a quarantine.

• 8

  Visit a veterinarian to receive a health certificate. Make sure the veterinarian certifies that the bird is free of communicable diseases. Some states require a certificate from Fish and Wildlife Services after arrival in the United States. Ask your veterinarian if you also need certification from Fish and Wildlife.

• 9

  Place all veterinary paperwork and certificates in a waterproof bag. Tape it to the top of your bird's cage before the flight. Paperwork must remain with the cage during the entire flight and through customs checks.

• 10

  Expect your bird to be placed in a mandatory 30-day quarantine. At the end of the 30-day period, wait for the call telling you to pick up your bird.