Pet Microchip

The first step required to import your pet dog or cat to India is to identify your pet with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

Licenses

For cats or dogs entering India for a temporary visit, a License to Import issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in India is required. For cats or dogs entering India due to a change in ownership, 30 days of quarantine in an approved quarantine facility in the originating country is required.

All pets entering into India with their owners must be issued a NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE (NOC) from the Animal Quarantine Station in India whether accompanied or unaccompanied, prior to entering India. The NOC must be applied for by the owner, owner's representative or an agent. It can also be applied for by contacting the AQCS at the port of entry.

Vaccinations

Your dog or cat must be vaccinated for rabies at least 31 days prior to entry if not currently vaccinated. The 3 year rabies vaccination is recognized.

Dogs should be vaccinated against Distemper, Leishmaniasis, Parvovirus and Leptospirosis, especially if entering India from a high-rabies country. Cats should be vaccinated against FVRCP including Feline Enteritis and Feline Pan Leukopenia between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering India.

Dogs must show no signs of any clinical sign of any disease including rabies, canine distemper, parvo virus infection, leptospirosis, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Scabies and Leishmaniasis.

Rabies Titer Test

Rabies titer tests are not required to enter India from any country.

Pet Health Certificate & Other Forms

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must issue a pet health certificate for India. The certificate must be endorsed by the governing authority of your country responsible for the import and export of animals. All documents should be in English.

The health certificate is valid for 30 days if entering from the United States. For all other countries, the form must be issued within 10 days of travel.

A declaration endorsed by a Notary Public attesting to transfer of residence is required as is a contract of employment, appointment letter.or company identification.

Commercial Shipments

Pets being imported to India must be associated with their owner's transfer of residency to the country.

Pets imported for show or breeding purposes must have a License from the Director General of Foreign Trade.

Quarantine

All pets entering India under transfer of residency may be subject to 14 days of government-supervised quarantine or 30 days of home quarantine depending on the health of your pet when inspected or whether it conforms to all import regulations. Generally, if all regulations are met, then home quarantine is imposed.

All dogs and cats visiting India are not subject to any quarantine unless import regulations are not met.

Entering India by Air

Your pet can enter India as checked baggage (accompanied cats or dogs) at New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata or air cargo (unaccompanied cats and other animals) at New Delhi and Mumbai. Pets must arrive within 30 days of their owners.

Up to 2 dogs or cats can enter India per person. More than 2 pets per person can only be imported under a License from the Director General of Foreign Trade.

All dogs and cats must arrive within 30 days of their owner's first immigration stamp as displayed on their passport after issued a proper work or spouse/dependent visa. If traveling unaccompanied, they must enter between 7 and 14 days after their owner. The owner's original passport will be required and held until your pet clears customs.

Pets should arrive between the hours of 5:00AM and noon on Monday through Friday. It is not advisable to present your pet outside of these hours.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to India. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Puppies and Kittens

Unvaccinated puppies or kittens are not permitted for import to India. Puppies and kittens must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 3 months of age and wait for 30 days before entering India.

Banned Breeds

India does not publish a list of banned breeds.

Exporting Pets

Within 7 days of export, dogs and cats will need a health certificate from their vet as well as an Animal Health Certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service as well as all documentation required for their destination country.

Other Animals

Only dogs and cats are considered as pets for purposes of import to India. Invertebrates, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits may be imported to India as air cargo with a DGFT license as long as they are not classified as endangered under CITES. (see step 8 for search) If your pet is covered by CITES regulations, then it is subject to 30 days of quarantine in the originating country and will be subject to 30 days of quarantine in India. Currently, birds are not permitted for import due to Avian Influenza.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.