Korea is Hong Kong Group II. Ordinary short visits cannot satisfy 180-day residence after the fact. Eligible Hong Kong resident pets need the pre-approved return waiver and departure-day validation.
KR → HK · Dogs and cats
Korea → Hong Kong
Korea is Hong Kong Group II. Ordinary short visits cannot satisfy 180-day residence after the fact. Eligible Hong Kong resident pets need the pre-approved return waiver and departure-day validation.
Primary sources reviewedLast checked: 18 Jul 2026Next source review: 18 Aug 2026
Hong Kong return is manifested cargo only. Korean Air’s public BOAS cargo restriction means a small cabin outbound option may have no matching return carrier.
Relocation, or a Hong Kong return prepared before the outbound flight
Route timeline
Plan by dependencies, not a flat checklist.
Relocation, or a Hong Kong return prepared before the outbound flight
- 01Before leaving Hong Kong
Special Permit and residence waiver
Prepare chip, rabies vaccination, accepted titer and AF240-return before the outbound journey.
Hong Kong AFCD - 02Departure day
AFCD chip scan and endorsement
Without this step, the waiver is invalid even if approved.
Hong Kong AFCD - 03Within 72 hours before return
Current local veterinary return certificate
Validate the hour window and exact certificate version, not only the calendar date.
Hong Kong AFCD - 04Before return booking
Verified manifested-cargo carrier
For BOAS, “no verified direct carrier found” is different from “impossible”; charter and seasonal policies still require written approval.
Hong Kong AFCD · International Air Transport Association
Source ledger
Official sources
Every conclusion must trace back to an official source. Government forms link directly to the original publisher, and superseded documents are not treated as current requirements.
Hong Kong AFCDCurrent Group II import terms (June 2025 version)18 Jul 2026Hong Kong AFCDResidence certification waiver guideline (January 2026 version)18 Jul 2026Korea Animal and Plant Quarantine AgencyDog and cat quarantine certification program booklet18 Jul 2026International Air Transport AssociationTraveler's Pet Corner18 Jul 2026
KR → HK · Data version 2026.07.18.2
Manage this journey in PeqabooManage the complete journey in Peqaboo.
Bring the route, dates and breed-risk choices into Peqaboo to manage records, documents, deadlines and re-checks.