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Bringing Your Pet to India: The Complete Import Guide
Hey, I'm Marco. I've flown Mochi, my 6kg French Bulldog, across continents more times than I can count. And here's what nobody tells you: importing a pet to India is doable, but it's not a casual "throw them in a carrier and go" situation. There are permits, quarantine rules, vaccination timelines, and breed restrictions that'll catch you off guard if you're not prepared.
This guide walks you through exactly what India requires—and when—so you don't end up like I did on my first international trip: standing at the airport with incomplete paperwork while Mochi looked at me like I'd failed him.
Can You Bring Your Pet to India?
Yes, both cats and dogs are allowed into India, but there are conditions. India's Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) oversees all pet imports, and they don't mess around. You'll need an import permit, specific vaccinations, health certificates, and you'll face quarantine requirements—though these can be reduced or waived with full compliance.
Here's the critical part: you can bring a maximum of 2 pets per person, and they must arrive through approved ports of entry.
Breed Restrictions: Know Before You Go
This is where I want to be crystal clear, because breed restrictions are real in India.
Dogs with breed restrictions: Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, Japanese Tosa, Wolf Hybrid, Dogo Argentino, Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro, Presa Canario, American Bulldog, and Kangal.
If your dog is on this list, India will not allow import. Period. Mochi's a French Bulldog, so he's clear—but I've seen travelers show up with restricted breeds and get turned away. Don't be that person.
Cats have no breed restrictions, so if you're bringing a cat, you're good on that front.
Approved Ports of Entry
You can only bring your pet through these airports:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Kolkata
- Hyderabad
Plan your flight accordingly. If your destination is elsewhere in India, you'll need to arrange ground transport after clearing customs.
Your Preparation Timeline
6 Months Before Departure
Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation with an accredited veterinarian who has international export experience. They'll review India's requirements and help you plan the vaccination and testing timeline. This is non-negotiable—your vet needs to understand the sequencing of microchipping, vaccinations, and titer tests.
5 Months Before Departure
Get your pet microchipped using the ISO 11784/11785 standard (this is the international standard India recognizes). Here's the gotcha: the microchip must be placed before or on the same day as rabies vaccination. Don't skip this order—it matters.
4.5 Months Before Departure
Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. After this shot, you must wait 30 days before the next step.
4 Months Before Departure
Apply for your import permit from AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services). The standard lead time is 30 days, so don't delay. You'll need your pet's microchip number and vaccination records. Contact AQCS at https://aqcsindia.gov.in/Home/ImportPetUnderBaggage. Expect the NOC (No Objection Certificate) within 5 working days.
3.5 Months Before Departure
Schedule your rabies titer test. This must happen at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The test measures antibody levels—India requires a minimum of 0.5 IU/ml. After the titer test, you must wait another 30 days before travel.
2.5 Months Before Departure
Administer tapeworm treatment (for dogs, praziquantel is the standard drug). This must be documented by your vet. For dogs specifically, this treatment must occur between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in India—so time it carefully based on your flight.
1 Month Before Departure
Get a health certificate from your accredited vet. This certificate is valid for only 10 days, so time this close to your departure. It must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS if you're in the United States, APHA if you're in the UK, CFIA if you're in Canada). This is a separate step from the vet's signature—the government authority must officially endorse it.
1 Week Before Departure
Confirm your import permit is approved and in hand. Double-check all document dates and validity periods. Verify your flight is arriving at one of the six approved ports. Contact your airline to confirm their pet-in-cabin or pet-in-cargo policies—requirements vary by carrier.
24-120 Hours Before Arrival
Administer tapeworm treatment (if not already done). For dogs, this is the critical window—24 to 120 hours before you land in India. Your vet must document this.
Quarantine Requirements
Here's the good news and the catch:
Standard quarantine is 30 days. But—and this is huge—if all your documentation is in perfect order, quarantine can be waived entirely (0 days). This is why getting everything right matters so much.
To qualify for waived quarantine, you need:
- Valid import permit from AQCS
- Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
- Rabies vaccination (with 30-day waiting period observed)
- Rabies titer test showing ≥0.5 IU/ml (with 30-day waiting period after test)
- Tapeworm treatment (within 24-120 hours of arrival)
- Health certificate (valid, endorsed by government authority)
If you're missing any of these, you'll face the full 30-day quarantine. I've seen travelers scramble to find quarantine facilities in India—it's stressful and expensive. Don't let that be you.
Documents Checklist
- Import permit (NOC) from AQCS
- Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
- Rabies vaccination certificate (with date and 30-day waiting period noted)
- Rabies titer test results (showing ≥0.5 IU/ml, with 30-day waiting period noted)
- Health certificate from accredited vet (valid for 10 days, government-endorsed)
- Tapeworm treatment documentation (vet-signed, with date and time)
- Proof of government veterinary authority endorsement (USDA, APHA, CFIA, etc.)
- Airline pet travel documentation (carrier requirements, booking confirmation)
- Microchip registration details (number and registry)
- Proof of pet ownership (passport, adoption papers, or breeder documentation)
Service Animals & ESAs
If you're traveling with a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA), India recognizes both. Service animals and ESAs may qualify for quarantine exemption, and import rules may be modified for these animals. However, we're still verifying the exact documentation required—contact AQCS directly to confirm what proof they need (certification letter, vet documentation, etc.).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the microchip-before-vaccination order. It matters. Don't do it backwards.
- Not waiting the full 30 days after rabies vaccination before the titer test. The test won't be valid if you rush it.
- Not waiting the full 30 days after the titer test before travel. Same issue—India won't accept it.
- Getting the health certificate too early. It's only valid for 10 days. Time it to your departure, not months ahead.
- Forgetting government endorsement on the health certificate. Your vet's signature alone isn't enough. The government authority must endorse it.
- Administering tapeworm treatment at the wrong time. It must be 24-120 hours before arrival. Too early or too late, and it won't count.
- Flying into an unapproved port. Only six airports accept pet imports. Check your flight routing.
- Assuming your breed is allowed without checking. If you have a restricted breed, India will deny entry. Period.
- Not applying for the import permit early enough. 30 days is the standard lead time. Apply at 4 months to be safe.
Special Considerations for Brachycephalic Breeds
If you're traveling with a flat-faced breed like Mochi (French Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, etc.), read my brachycephalic breed flying guide. These breeds face additional airline restrictions and health risks during air travel. India's heat and humidity also pose challenges for brachycephalic dogs. Make sure your vet clears your pet for the journey, and consider the timing of your flight (early morning or evening is safer than midday).
Airline-Specific Pet Policies
Different airlines have different rules for pets in cabin vs. cargo. Check with your carrier directly:
Some airlines won't fly brachycephalic breeds in cargo at all. Confirm this before booking your flight.
After You Arrive in India
Once you land at an approved port, present all your documents to the AQCS inspector. They'll verify your import permit, health certificate, microchip, and vaccination records. If everything is in order, you can leave immediately with your pet (quarantine waived). If anything is missing or invalid, you'll face quarantine.
Keep copies of all documents with you during travel. Digital copies on your phone are helpful, but carry originals as well.
Final Thoughts
Bringing Mochi to India taught me that pet import isn't complicated—it's just precise. Every date, every waiting period, every document matters. Start early, follow the timeline, and don't skip steps. Your pet's entry into India depends on it.
If you're unsure about any requirement, contact AQCS directly at https://aqcsindia.gov.in/Home/ImportPetUnderBaggage. They're the official authority, and they can clarify anything we're still verifying.
Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to track all your pet's requirements and deadlines in one place.
Data auto-verified from official sources: Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India. Last updated 2024.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 23, 2026