Originally Posted by ynif209

I would like to post an update on this thread since we had recently returned from this trip.

We flew on Korean Air Business Class roundtrip from SFO to MNL with a pet in cabin (small dog). We had all of the paperwork ready (vaccinations, vet examination, signed paperwork from the USDA, import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry from the Philippines, and the rabies titer test - required for Seoul). A few tips:

* Reserve/Confirm with your airline for space for your pet. Korean Air only allows a limited number of pets to fly in cabin.

* Schedule your appointment at the USDA Veterinary services ahead of time. Your appointment must be within 10 days of you scheduled departure. I did not know this so instead of going to the the USDA office 5 miles away, I had to drive all the way to Sacramento to get my pet's documents reviewed and signed by the USDA.

* If you are going to South Korea, get the rabies titer test for your pet. It is expensive (it cost me almost $400 for the test and vet fees).

*Get a rolling pet carrier/backpack. Even if our dog only weighs 7 pounds, it will be hard to carry him around while walking at the airport.

We checked in 3 hours before our flight. The airline staff reviewed and made copies of the paperwork, weighed our pet while in the carrier, we paid the fee of $200 (SFO to MNL), and they attached the paperwork to our pet's carrier. It took almost half an hour to get everything completed. We were instructed that we were not allowed to take our pet out of its carrier during the flight. The flight attendants reminded us of this as well. Our dog was so good, not a bark nor a cry during the entire journey. We did feel sorry for him as he was just in his carrier so my husband took him out of the carrier (still attached and secured to it) so he can stretch his legs. We also put a doggie diaper on him to avoid any accidents. Once we arrived in Manila, the customs officers just waived us through and did not even review the documents.


For the return flight, we had to have our dog checked for screw worm. The vet checked and wrote a health certificate for the dog stating that all vaccinations are current and that the dog has been tested and free of screw worm. The form has to state this so you don't have to bring the dog with you when you get the documents signed at the Bureau of Animal Industry office in Quezon City, Metro Manila. We brought all the documents from USA also. The screw worm test and vet certificate from the local veterinarian must be done and dated within 10 days prior to your flight. No appointment is necessary but we went super early in the morning and we were the first person in line for this document. On the day of the flight, we checked in 3 hours before the flight and they did the same procedure for our dog. We had a 12 hour layover in Seoul. My husband and daughter took the free transit tour, while I stayed at the lounge with our dog. We could have exited the airport, too, since we had all the paperwork anyway but I just didn't want to go through any more trouble of going through all the security checks again. Staying at the airport with our pet was a last minute decision. I walked the dog around the airport on a leash (diaper on) but was politely stopped by one of the security officers and was told I needed to put my dog in the carrier. I walked around the airport, with my dog in his carrier, zippers open so can stick his head out if he wanted to. At the lounge, he was inside the carrier also with the zippers open so has some freedom to move. He was also wearing his doggie diaper throughout the journey.

Despite having global entry, I still filled out a customs form so I can list down the items I am declaring. The US Immigration officer checked the slips printed out by the global entry kiosks and asked if I had filled out a customs form so I handed it to him and he marked it for Agricultural Check. Our luggage was xray'ed, they opened a couple of suitcases, and checked the dog's paperwork. The Customs officer was very stern, maybe to intimidate people, but we have been traveling so much that we are used to the process and confident that we declared everything and had the proper paperwork for our pet. We were at customs for less than 10 minutes and then we were out of the airport.

Another tip for anyone bringing your pet or any type of food item back to the US, write them down as you pack. I know I wont remember everything I put in my luggage so I write them down as I put them in the luggage. I also put these items in 1 luggage if possible so that Customs wouldn't have to open all of our luggage.

I hope this helps.