India pet passport & import-export regulations

 

Traveling with your pets can be quite difficult if you are unsure of how to go about it, and more so if you’re planning to travel abroad. If you are an Indian citizen who is planning to travel back to the country with your four-legged companion, then you need to plan ahead.

Get your pet microchipped

This is a must when your pet accompanies you on any trip, and not just to India. According to immigration rules, your dog or cat must be microchipped with a non-encrypted ISO 11784 or an ISO 11785 chip. In case your pet has been microchipped with any other version, you must carry a microchip scanner of your own. 

Obtain an import permit as soon as you can

Apply for a No-Objection Certificate from the Animal Quarantine Station in India before entering the country. Moreover, the owner or a valid representative must apply for it in person or it has to be done by an agent. 

 

Whether you have a feline or a canine accompanying you on your visit, it is crucial to collect a License to Import from the Director-General of Foreign Trade in India. 

The required vaccinations must be taken care of

 

The department of immigration recognizes the 3-year rabies vaccination in dogs and requires them to get vaccinated at least 31 days before the flight if they have not undergone the usual vaccination process. 

 

For canines, mandatory vaccinations are against diseases like Leishmaniasis, Distemper, Leptospirosis, and Parvovirus among others. The rules become stricter if you’re traveling from a high-rabies country and your pet must show no sign of the above-mentioned diseases. 

 

For most felines, the crucial vaccinations are against FVRCP, which includes both Feline Panleukopenia and Feline Enteritis among others. For this, they must be vaccinated at least 30 days before entry, and must not exceed the 12-month limit.

In addition to these, cats must undergo a COVID-19 Test within 7 days of entering the country and show a negative test result. However, you may also have to obtain official certification from a registered veterinarian in your area stating that the animal has not been in close contact with either a COVID positive human or animal in the past two weeks and does not show any symptoms of the same.

 
Finally, you must also remember to carry a veterinary certificate that is endorsed by the USDA if you are traveling from the US, or CFIA if you’re traveling from Canada. In case you are traveling from any other country, make sure to obtain the like from a similar governing authority of the same status. 

A few other things to keep in mind

 

With these basic rules, you are somewhat set to take on your journey to India with your pet. Here are some pointers to keep in mind. 

 

1. Do not import your pet for show or breeding purposes without a license from the Director-General of Foreign Trade.
2. All pets are subject to quarantine, 14 days in a government facility or 30 days at home.
3. If your pet is unaccompanied during your air travel, make sure they arrive within 30 days of your arrival.
4. Make sure your visit does not exceed 180 days at a time.
5. Other creatures such as rodents, invertebrates, or reptiles are considered cargo and need an additional license from DGFT.

 

Moreover, if you are looking to just make sure that you have a fun trip, where you don’t have to worry about any formalities at all – we at PawSpace are just a call away and are here to take care of all the prerequisites before your journey!