USA → South Korea
Export Horses and Livestock from the USA to South Korea
Horses and specialized species on a twelve-hour nonstop, with strong main-deck freighter capacity.
- Arrives
- ICN
- Departs
- LAX / DFW
- Flight time
- ~12 hours nonstop from the West Coast
- Plan ahead
- 60–120 days
Seoul Incheon
Or whichever US gateway suits the animals
Korea takes horses, and it takes the unusual species most equine-only shippers won't touch. We run both with the same team, so a consignment mixing racing stock with zoo animals is one conversation rather than three.
Incheon is roughly twelve hours nonstop from the West Coast, and Korean carriers run substantial main-deck freighter capacity on the Pacific — real scheduling options rather than one weekly slot to take or leave.
Regulatory
What a South Korea export requires
These are the constraints that shape the timeline. The binding requirements are whatever South Korea has in force on your day of export — we confirm the current position as the first step of every feasibility review.
Confirm species eligibility first
Korean import requirements are species-specific and move with disease status — some categories are suspended at any given time. Step one is confirming your species is currently eligible and the importer holds the right permit.
Pre-export isolation and testing
Animals are held at a USDA-approved facility while a USDA-accredited veterinarian completes the required panel and prepares the International Health Certificate for USDA APHIS endorsement.
Post-arrival quarantine
Korea applies its own quarantine and testing regime at the port of entry, and the period varies by species. We brief the importer on what to expect and coordinate the handoff.
Handling and grooms
Horses move in air stables, livestock and specialized species in purpose-built crates. Our grooms travel with the animals and we brief every airline handling team before loading.
Official source
USDA APHIS publishes the International Regulations for Animal Exports (IRegs) — the U.S. government’s understanding of South Korea's current import requirements.
By species
What we handle into South Korea
Horses
Racing, breeding and competition horses moved door to door — barn in the United States to barn in Asia-Pacific.
Breeding Livestock
Cattle, swine, sheep, goats and poultry genetics moved as single consignments or as a recurring program.
Exotic & Zoo Animals
Zoo collections, wildlife parks and private exotic consignments — including CITES-listed species — moved with the permitting handled.
FAQ
Exporting to South Korea: common questions
How much does it cost to export a horse to South Korea?
A single horse typically runs $13,000 to $25,000, covering air freight, pre-export isolation, blood tests, USDA inspection and fees, and a groom on the flight. Ground transport to quarantine is billed separately. Group shipments cost materially less per head than one horse travelling alone. These are real ranges from completed shipments; we put a written figure to your specific move after a feasibility review.
Can you export horses from the USA to South Korea?
Yes — it is an established lane. We handle pickup, pre-export isolation, the vet work and USDA endorsement, air stables, the flight and the destination handoff.
What about zoo and specialized animals?
We handle them, including the CITES and U.S. Fish and Wildlife layer where the species is listed. This is the boundary most of our competitors stop at.
Is there post-arrival quarantine in Korea?
Yes. Korea runs its own quarantine and testing at the port of entry, and the duration depends on the species. It sits on top of the U.S. pre-export isolation period, so factor both into your arrival planning.
How long is the flight?
About twelve hours nonstop from the West Coast to Seoul Incheon. Grooms fly with the animals for the full sector.
Are all species currently eligible?
No — eligibility moves with disease status and some categories are suspended at any given time. We confirm the current position for your species as the first step, before anyone commits money.
Other lanes
More Asia-Pacific destinations
Japan
Export Horses from the USA to Japan
China
Export Horses & Livestock from the USA to China
Philippines
Export Animals from the USA to the Philippines
Moving animals to South Korea?
Send us the species, the number of animals, the origin and your target date. We confirm whether the protocol is currently open and come back with a written feasibility review at no charge.